Nuclear processing of viral high-molecular-weight RNA in cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1

Nuclear RNA isolated from cells infected by herpes simplex virus type 1, strain F, was fractionated on formamide-sucrose gradients into two major classes, greater and less than 45S. These two classes of labeled nuclear RNA were hybridized to viral DNA fragments generated by digestion with the restriction enzymes HindIII and BglII. Early in infection, only a few DNA fragments hybridized to RNA, with slight differences between the two classes. Late in infection, all DNA fragments hybridized, showing that all viral RNA was present in large precursor molecules greater than 14 kilobases. The fragments that correspond to late gene products hybridized more of the small RNA than the large RNA. This suggests that the mRNA corresponding to late genes accumulated after the large precursors have been cleaved. Large (greater than or equal to 45S) and small (< 45S) nuclear RNA and cytoplasmic RNA from cells late in infection were hybridized in excess to in vitro-labeled HindIII M and L fragments. More than 50% of the HIndIII M fragment annealed with the large nuclear RNA, but only 36% of it annealed with the cytoplasmic RNA. The HindIII L fragment hybridized large nuclear RNA and cytoplasmic RNA to the same extent (30% and 26%). These results suggest that RNA complementary to the HindIII M fragment, which is the template for immediate early polypeptides, was regulated in the nuclei at the posttranscriptional level. This seems to suggest that temporal regulation of RNA cleavage occurs in the nucleus.

Herpes simplex type 1 infection of nonpermissive rat XC cells

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of non permissive XC cells (a rat cell line transformed by Rous sarcoma virus) was studied. Using virus labeled with 3H-thymidine it was shown that adsorption is similar to that in a permissive system. By electron microscopy enveloped particles were observed in cytoplasmic vesicles in XC cells but not in the permissive system. However input viral DNA was degraded both in non permissive cells (XC) and permissive cells (HEp-2) and the degradation products were found incorporated into cellular DNA in the first case or into viral DNA in the second case. In the non permissive XC cells, it was possible to detect a small amount of incorporation of radioactive precursors into the viral DNA, identified by its buoyant density in CsCl of 1.726 g/cm3 and by hybridization with viral DNA. This DNA has the size of the native viral genome and its uptake of radioactive precursors was only partially inhibited by phosphonoacetic acid, a specific inhibitor of HSV-DNA polymerase. With permissive HEp-2 cells in the presence of such inhibitor, the obtained data are roughly the same as with XC cells, both in the presence or in the absence of phosphonoacetic acid. These results suggest that the observed viral DNA synthesis in XC cells is not a true replication but, further, a repair synthesis and, also, that the same events might take place in the permissive system before the onset of viral DNA replication.

[Immunochemical evidence for the specific binding of putrescine to plasma proteins including fibronectin]

Human plasma contains proteins capable of binding 14C putrescine by the action of Ca++ activated transglutaminase. These proteins have molecular weights from 32 to 220 K and above. One of these (with a molecular weight of 220 K) has been identified as fibronectin by the use of an antifibronectin antiserum. Evidence for a protein with a molecular weight identical to that of fibronectin has been obtained on PAGE analysis of the precipitate formed on incubating human serum with antipolyamine antiserum.

[Modification of human adenovirus type 7 after culture in guinea pig brain cells in vitro]

Multiplication of human adenovirus 7 (Ad7) is restricted in subcultures of adult Guinea Pig brain cells. It was however possible to recover enough infectious virus to purify it, and to study its properties. Several properties are similar to that of Ad 7 produced in HeLa cells but differences in sensitivity to cesium chloride and in its polypeptide composition were found.

Replication cycle of Newcastle disease virus in three host cells of different permissiveness

Various degrees of permissiveness for NDV have been described in different cell lines. In the present work three systems were investigated: bovine kidney (MDBK) cells, chick embryo (CE) cells and mouse L cells producing 50 to 100 p.f.u., 2 to 10 p.f.u. and less than 0.1 p.f.u./cell, respectively. Analysis of the radioactive virus messenger RNAs (vmRNAs) accumulating in actinomycin D-treated cells throughout the infection cycle revealed that, except for the absence of one 18S vmRNA species in L cells, all vmRNA components were formed in the three cell types, although variations occurred in their total and relative amounts from one cell type to another. Kinetic studies of vmRNA synthesis confirmed the absence of one 18S vmRNA species in L cells and also showed that the labelling rate of this vmRNA component is higher in CE cells. Virus proteins synthesized in the infected cells were labelled with 14C-amino acids and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All the major NDV polypeptides were formed as expected in both CE and MDBK cells but only traces were detected in L cells. In contrast in a cell-free translation system from wheat germ, all of the NDV major proteins were synthesized using RNA extracted from the three infected cell types. Moreover, the total radioactivity incorporated into NDV proteins was twice as great with CE cell RNA and five times as great with L cell RNA than with equivalent quantities of RNA from MDBK cells.

Isolation and characterisation of a defective measles virus from a subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patient

A cytopathic measles virus was isolated from a brain biopsy of a subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) patient. The agent could be transferred to Vero cells by cocultivation, but the infectivity always remained cell-associated -ie, a defective virus infection. The cell-associated nature of the virus was retained through 25 passages in Vero cells. Intracerebral inoculation of hamsters (2-6 days old) with the cocultured Vero cells gave rise to 100% mortality in 5-7 days. The virus retained its cell-associated nature after passage in hamsters. Electron microscopy of the brain and Vero cocultures showed the presence of virus-like ribonucleoparticles mainly in the nucleus. The presence of viral antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and on the plasma membranes was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Using a combination of immunological and biochemical techniques, it was shown that all the viral proteins were synthesized with the exception of the haemagglutinin. Inclusion of the fusion inhibitor SV4814 (CBZ-D phenylalanine-L-phenylalanine-L-arginine-NO2) in the culture medium led to the elimination of the SSPE infection.

The use of a measles latex reagent for the determination of measles antibodies and in a specific test for multiple sclerosis

Measles virus antigens covalently linked to latex spheres were used for measuring measles-specific antibodies in a direct agglutination test either in microtitre plates or as a rapid slide-agglutination test. The titres were compared to that obtained by conventional assays. The measles-latex spheres were also used as the antigen for a radio-immuno assay. By incorporating a 14C-radioactive marker into the measles-latex spheres their interaction with lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis and control patients was determined. Lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients reacted with a higher percentage of beads at low bead/lymphocyte ratios compared with controls, whereas the reverse was found when the ratio of beads was increased.

Poly (A) polymerase activity in L cells following encephalomyocarditis virus infection

Poly (A) polymerase activity has been measured in crude cytoplasmic extracts of mouse L cells infected with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. After infection there is first a decrease in enzyme activity followed by an increase which itself precedes detectable virus RNA and protein synthesis. The activity of the enzyme then declines before the release of mature virions and cell death take place. The early inhibition of poly (A) polymerase activity is correlated with the virus-induced shut-off of cellular protein synthesis but it is not due to inhibition of the synthesis of cellular enzyme and occurs in the absence of virus replication. The poly (A) polymerase is not synthesized after infection and modification of its activity can be reversed late in the virus cycle. These results indicate that host poly (A) polymerase activity can be regulated by the virus and further show that there is a correlation between the modification of poly (A) polymerase activity and the biosynthesis of poly (A).

The preparation of latex particles with covalently bound polyamines, IgG and measles agglutinins and their use in visual agglutination tests

Carboxylated latex particles were substituted with side arms terminating in primary amine and hydrazine groups. The particles were coupled to aldehyde groups generated on glycoproteins which were treated with sodium periodate. Particles having the alipathic primary amine putrescine hapten as the sole substituent and particles linked to glycoproteins such as measles agglutinins and IgG were used to detect the presence of the corresponding antibodies or antigens in biological fluids by agglutination tests.

Inhibition of viral RNA methylation in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells by 5' S-isobutyl-adenosine

5' S-isobutyl-adenosine (SIBA), a structural analogue of S-adenosylhomocysteine, reversibly blocks the multiplication of herpes simplex type 1 virus. In the presence of SIBA, viral protein synthesis is inhibited. After removing SIBA the synthesis of proteins starts rapidly again. The new polypeptides are mainly alpha proteins (Honess and Roizman, J. Virol. 14:8-19, 1974,), normally the first to be synthesized after infection. The rapid synthesis of proteins after release of inhibition seems to be directed by mRNA formed in the presence of SIBA as indicated by experiments using actinomycin D but which was undermethylated as shown by analysis of methyl groups on RNA. SIBA inhibits the methylation of mRNA and especially that of the 5' cap. Capping of mRNA thus seems to be essential for efficient translation. The analogue affected various methylations to different extents.

[Presence in immunostimulated cells of an RNA molecule utilizable as template for reverse transcriptase of avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV)]

Cytoplasmic RNA extracted from antigen stimulated immunocompetant cells is transcribed in vitro into DNA by the RNA directed DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus, in the absence of any added primer. Cytoplasmic RNA from other organs of the same animal, from non-stimulated immunocompetent cells, or from cells in tissue culture is not transcribed in the absence of exogenous primer.

Size of the poly(A) sequences in encephalomyocarditis virus RNA

Poly(A) sequences were demonstrated in the RNA of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus by affinity chromatography on poly(U)-Sepharose, treatment with RNases, and determination of the ability of the RNA to prime for reverse transcription. The size of the poly(A) sequences was estimated as 10-20 nucleotides in length by determination of the fraction resistant to pancreatic RNases plus T1 RNases, followed by analysis of electrophoretic mobility on polyacrylamide gels and of the AMP-to-adenosine ratio after alkaline hydrolysis. The poly(A) sequences are located at the 3' end of the RNA as shown by mild digestion by snake venom phosphodiesterase.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (measles) pseudotypes: tool for demonstrating defective measles infections

Mixed infection of Vero cells with measles and vesicular stomatitis viruses gives rise to phenotypically mixed infections virus particles possessing the properties of pseudotypes. Similar results were obtained when vesicular stomatitis virus was used to superinfect a defective measles system.