Analysis of proteins synthesized in respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells

Nucleotide sequence analysis and expression from recombinant vectors demonstrate that the attachment protein G of bovine respiratory syncytial virus is distinct from that of human respiratory syncytial virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) virus causes a severe lower respiratory tract disease in calves similar to the disease in children caused by human respiratory syncytial (HRS) virus. While there is antigenic cross-reactivity among the other major viral structural proteins, the major glycoprotein, G, of BRS virus and that of HRS virus are antigenically distinct. The G glycoprotein has been implicated as the attachment protein for HRS virus. We have carried out a molecular comparison of the glycoprotein G of BRS virus with the HRS virus counterparts. cDNA clones corresponding to the BRS virus G glycoprotein mRNA were isolated and analyzed by dideoxynucleotide sequencing. The BRS virus G mRNA contained 838 nucleotides exclusive of poly(A) and had a major open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 257 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the BRS virus G polypeptide showed only 29 to 30% amino acid identity with the G protein of either the subgroup A or B HRS virus. However, despite this low level of identity, there were strong similarities in the predicted hydropathy profiles of the BRS virus and HRS virus G proteins. A cDNA molecule containing the complete BRS virus G major open reading frame was inserted into the thymidine kinase gene of vaccinia virus by homologous recombination, and a recombinant virus containing the BRS virus G protein gene was isolated. This recombinant virus expressed the BRS virus G protein, as demonstrated by Western immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence of infected cells. The BRS virus G protein expressed from the recombinant vector was transported to and expressed on the surface of infected cells. Antisera to the BRS virus G protein made by using the recombinant vector to immunize animals recognized the BRS virus attachment protein but not the HRS virus G protein and vice versa, confirming the lack of antigenic cross-reactivity between the BRS and HRS virus attachment proteins. On the basis of the data presented here, we conclude that BRS virus should be classified within the genus Pneumovirus in a group separate from HRS virus and that it is no more closely related to HRS virus subgroup A than it is to HRS virus subgroup B.

The 22,000-kilodalton protein of respiratory syncytial virus is a major target for Kd-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes from mice primed by infection

Recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the 22-kilodalton protein (matrixlike or 22K protein) or phosphoprotein gene from respiratory syncytial virus were constructed. These recombinant viruses expressed proteins which were immunoprecipitated by appropriate respiratory syncytial virus antibodies and comigrated with authentic proteins produced by respiratory syncytial virus infection. The new recombinant viruses (and others previously described containing the attachment glycoprotein, fusion, or nucleoprotein genes of respiratory syncytial virus) were used to infect target cells for cultured polyclonal cytotoxic T lymphocytes generated from the spleens of BALB/c or DBA/2 mice primed by intranasal infection with respiratory syncytial virus. Respiratory syncytial virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) showed strong Kd (but not Dd)-restricted recognition of the 22K protein. As previously reported, the fusion protein and nucleoprotein were both seen by CTL, but recognition of these proteins was comparatively weak. There was no detectable recognition of other respiratory syncytial virus proteins tested (including phosphoprotein). 22K protein-specific splenic memory CTL persisted for at least 11 months after infection of BALB/c mice. Priming BALB/c mice with recombinant vaccinia virus containing the 22K protein gene induced respiratory syncytial virus-specific memory CTL at lower levels than that previously reported following infection with a similar recombinant containing the fusion protein gene. These data identify the 22K protein as a major target antigen for respiratory syncytial virus-specific CTL from H-2d mice primed by respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Analysis of polypeptides synthesized in bovine respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells

Ten virus-specific polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from approximately 200k to 11k were identified in bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV-)infected cells. Time course analysis of the induction of the viral polypeptides indicated that they could be detected as early as 30 min post-infection and their synthesis reached a plateau 12 h after infection. Cell free translation of total infected-cell mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte system yielded 7 proteins corresponding in size to virus-specific proteins synthesized in BRSV-infected cells. The P protein was highly phosphorylated; G and F were identified as glycoproteins by [3H]glucosamine labeling. Glycosylation of G protein was largely resistant to tunicamycin, suggesting that the majority of the carbohydrate residues are attached via O-glycosidic bonds, whereas the F protein was N-linked glycosylated. Tunicamycin caused a drastic reduction in the yield of infectious virus titer indicating that the carbohydrate moieties serve a critical role in the infectious cycle of BRSV.

Comparison of caprine, human and bovine strains of respiratory syncytial virus

A new continuous ovine kidney cell line allowing the growth of caprine, human and bovine respiratory syncytial virus was used to minimize host cell related variations for the direct comparison of the viral ultrastructures, serological relationships and structural protein profiles. Results show that all three strains are closely related although a closer relationship was found between bovine and caprine RS.

Pneumovirus-like characteristics of the mRNA and proteins of turkey rhinotracheitis virus

Electronmicroscopy has indicated that turkey rhinotracheitis virus (TRTV), the causative agent of an acute respiratory disease in turkeys, is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. To determine if TRTV belongs to one of the three defined genera of this family (Paramyxovirus, Morbillivirus and Pneumovirus) we have analysed the RNA and proteins induced during replication of TRTV in Vero cells. Following replication in the presence of actinomycin D 10 polyadenylated RNA bands, ranging in Mr from 0.22 to 2.0 X 10(6), were detected in infected cells; some bands probably contained 2 or more RNA species. Viral proteins were studied after radiolabelling in the presence of [35S]methionine and [3H]glucosamine. Comparison of the polypeptides in mock-infected and infected cells, virions and nucleocapsids and after lentil-lectin chromatography and immunoprecipitation revealed seven virus-specific polypeptides (p), some of which were glycosylated (gp): gp82 (Mr 82K), gp68, gp53, gp15, p43, p40 and p35. These are considered to be analogous to the large glycopolypeptide (HN, H and G), fusion protein precursor F0, the F protein cleavage products F1 and F2, nucleocapsid (N), phosphorylated (P) and matrix (M) polypeptides, respectively, of the Paramyxoviridae. Two other polypeptides (Mr 200K and 22K) were also detected, as was a glycopolypeptide of Mr 97K, probably related to gp82. Tunicamycin inhibited glycosylation of gp53 and gp15 but gp82 was little affected, most glycans still being present on a glycopolypeptide of approximately 79K. This finding, indicating that gp82 has mostly O-linked glycans, considered with the mRNA profile and the molecular weight of the N protein shows that of the three genera in this family, TRTV most closely resembles the Pneumovirus genus.

Role of oligosaccharides in the structure and function of respiratory syncytial virus glycoproteins

The contribution of oligosaccharides to the structural and functional make-up of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus G and F proteins was investigated by observing the effects of various oligosaccharide-specific enzymes on their molecular size as well as on virus infectivity. The N-linked oligosaccharides of the F protein were completely removed by endoglycosidase F and N-glycanase. Addition of oligosaccharides to F protein during synthesis was completely inhibited by the drug tunicamycin (TM), an inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation. Glycosylation of the G protein was partially resistant to TM resulting in an 80-kDa form designated GTM. The G protein was estimated to contain approximately 3% N-linked and 55% O-linked carbohydrates, based on migration of G and GTM in polyacrylamide gels. Furthermore, treatment of detergent-extracted G protein with endoglycosidase F and endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, enzymes that specifically cleave N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides, respectively, generated a variety of partially unglycosylated species, ranging in molecular weight from approximately 80 to 40 kDa. Virus infectivity was sensitive to limited removal of N-linked or O-linked oligosaccharides by endoglycosidases under conditions which did not greatly alter the molecular weight of the G protein. Thus, G and F protein oligosaccharides readily accessible to enzymatic removal are presumed to play an important role in the infectious process.

Calcium requirement for syncytium formation in HEp-2 cells by respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) grown in HEp-2 cells in the absence of calcium did not induce cell fusion and syncytium formation. Although the infected cells contained viral antigens, the cytopathic effect (giant cell formation) typical for RSV was not observed in calcium-free cultures. Infectious virus yield was also slightly reduced (less than a one log10 reduction) in the absence of calcium. An analysis of viral proteins synthesized in both the presence and the absence of calcium revealed that the amount of fusion protein (F1) in calcium-free infected cultures was approximately one-third that in calcium-containing infected cultures. These results underscore the necessity of using calcium-containing growth medium for cell culture isolation and diagnosis of RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus envelope glycoprotein (G) has a novel structure

Amino acid sequence of human respiratory syncytial virus envelope glycoprotein (G) was deduced from the DNA sequence of a recombinant plasmid and confirmed by limited amino acid microsequencing of purified 90K G protein. The calculated molecular mass of the protein encoded by the only long open reading frame of 298 amino acids was 32,588 daltons and was somewhat smaller than the 36K polypeptide translated in vitro from mRNA selected by this plasmid. Inspection of the sequence revealed a single hydrophobic domain of 23 amino acids capable of membrane insertion at 41 residues from the N-terminus. There was no N-terminal signal sequence and the hydrophilic N-terminal 20 residues probably represent the cytoplasmic tail of the protein. The N-terminally oriented membrane insertion was somewhat analogous to paramyxovirus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and influenza neuraminidase (NA). The protein was moderately hydrophilic and rich in hydroxy-amino acids. It was both N- and O-glycosylated with the latter contributing significantly to the net molecular mass 90K.

mRNA sequence of three respiratory syncytial virus genes encoding two nonstructural proteins and a 22K structural protein

An mRNA sequence of two human respiratory syncytial viral nonstructural protein genes and of a gene for a 22,000-molecular-weight (22K) protein was obtained by cDNA cloning and DNA sequencing. Sequences corresponding to the 5' ends of the respective transcripts were deduced directly by primer extension and dideoxy nucleotide sequencing of the mRNAs. The availability of a bicistronic clone (pRSC6) confirmed the gene order for this portion of the genome. Contrary to other unsegmented negative-stranded RNA viruses, a 19-nucleotide intercistronic sequence was present between the NS1 and NS2 genes. The translation of cloned viral sequences in the bicistronic and monocistronic clones (pRSNS1 and pRSNS2) revealed two moderately hydrophobic proteins of 15,568 and 14,703 daltons. Their similarity in molecular size explained our earlier inability to resolve these proteins. A DNA sequence of an additional recombinant plasmid (pRSA2) revealed a long open reading frame encoding a 22,156-dalton protein containing 194 amino acids. It was relatively basic and moderately hydrophobic. A protein of this size was readily translated in vitro from a viral mRNA hybrid selected by this plasmid and corresponded to an unglycosylated 22K protein seen in purified extracellular virus but not associated with detergent- and salt-resistant cores. A second open reading frame of 90 amino acids partially overlapping with the C terminus of the 22K protein was also present within this sequence. This was reminiscent of the viral matrix protein gene which was previously shown by us to contain two overlapping reading frames. The finding of three additional viral transcripts encoding at least three identifiable proteins in human respiratory syncytial virus was a novel departure from the usual genetic organization of paramyxoviruses. The 5' ends of all three transcripts had a 5'NGGGCAAAU sequence that is common to all viral transcripts analyzed so far. Although there was no obvious homology immediately upstream of the polyadenylate tail, an AGUUA (AGUAA in the case of NS2) was present between 1 and 4 nucleotides upstream of the polyadenylate end of NS1 and 22K protein mRNAs.

Nucleotide sequences of the 1B and 1C nonstructural protein mRNAs of human respiratory syncytial virus

The genes encoding the 1C and 1B mRNAs of human respiratory syncytial (RS) virus are first in the order of viral transcription and encode nonstructural (NS) proteins of approximate molecular weights 14,000 and 11,000, respectively, estimated by gel electrophoresis. The complete nucleotide sequences of the 1C and 1B mRNAs determined from several full-length cDNA clones are described. The 1C and 1B mRNAs contain 528 and 499 nucleotides, respectively, exclusive of poly(A), and encode proteins of 139 and 124 amino acids. The calculated molecular weights of the predicted NS1C and NS1B proteins are 15,567 and 14,674, respectively. Both mRNA sequences contain the 5'-terminal sequence, 5' GGGGCAAAU . . . , and the 3'-terminal sequence, 5' . . . AGUAUA(N)1-4-poly(A), that were identified previously as conserved among six other RS viral mRNAs. In addition, a dicistronic readthrough RNA having the general structure 5' 1C mRNA-intergenic sequence-1B mRNA 3' was identified by dideoxynucleotide sequencing of intracellular poly(A)+ RNA using a DNA primer derived from a 1B-cDNA clone. In the dicistronic RNA, the nucleotide sequences of the 1C and 1B cistrons are separated by, in mRNA sense, four A residues and the intergenic sequence 5' . . . CUUAACAGAAGACAAAAAN . . . 3' (N represents unidentified nucleotide). The significance of these sequences is discussed.

The envelope-associated 22K protein of human respiratory syncytial virus: nucleotide sequence of the mRNA and a related polytranscript

We recently determined that respiratory syncytial virus (strain A2) encodes a fourth unique envelope-associated virion protein that has molecular weight of approximately 24,000, as estimated by gel electrophoresis. The nucleotide sequence of the mRNA encoding this novel protein has now been determined from five cDNA clones, including three that contain the complete mRNA sequence. The complete mRNA sequence is 957 nucleotides, exclusive of polyadenylate, and contains two partially overlapping open reading frames. The 5'-proximal open reading frame is favored for utilization by the criteria of the location and sequence of its translational start site. Furthermore, the calculated molecular weight of the encoded protein, 22,153, is in agreement with the previous estimate of 24,000 for the authentic protein identified by hybrid selection and in vitro translation. The sequence of the predicted protein, now designated the 22K protein, contains 194 amino acids, is relatively hydrophilic, and appears to be the most basic of the respiratory syncytial virus proteins. The mRNA also contains a second, internal open reading frame which would encode a protein of 90 amino acids. However, no evidence for this translation product is known. The first nine nucleotides in the mRNA sequence, 5'-GGGGCAAAU, are identical to the conserved sequence identified previously at the 5' termini of seven other respiratory syncytial viral mRNAs; the sequence at the 3' end of the 22K mRNA, 5'. . . AGUUAUUU-polyadenylate, contains the elements of the previously identified 3'-terminal consensus sequence for respiratory syncytial virus mRNAs, AGUUAA(N)1-4-polyadenylate (P. L. Collins, Y. T. Huang, and G. W. Wertz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:7683-7687). In addition, we present and describe the intergenic sequence of a dicistronic RNA derived from readthrough of the F and 22K protein genes.

Respiratory syncytial virus fusion glycoprotein: nucleotide sequence of mRNA, identification of cleavage activation site and amino acid sequence of N-terminus of F1 subunit

The amino acid sequence of respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein (Fo) was deduced from the sequence of a partial cDNA clone of mRNA and from the 5' mRNA sequence obtained by primer extension and dideoxysequencing. The encoded protein of 574 amino acids is extremely hydrophobic and has a molecular weight of 63371 daltons. The site of proteolytic cleavage within this protein was accurately mapped by determining a partial amino acid sequence of the N-terminus of the larger subunit (F1) purified by radioimmunoprecipitation using monoclonal antibodies. Alignment of the N-terminus of the F1 subunit within the deduced amino acid sequence of Fo permitted us to identify a sequence of lys-lys-arg-lys-arg-arg at the C-terminus of the smaller N-terminal F2 subunit that appears to represent the cleavage/activation domain. Five potential sites of glycosylation, four within the F2 subunit, were also identified. Three extremely hydrophobic domains are present in the protein; a) the N-terminal signal sequence, b) the N-terminus of the F1 subunit that is analogous to the N-terminus of the paramyxovirus F1 subunit and the HA2 subunit of influenza virus hemagglutinin, and c) the putative membrane anchorage domain near the C-terminus of F1.

The 1A protein gene of human respiratory syncytial virus: nucleotide sequence of the mRNA and a related polycistronic transcript

The 1A mRNA is the smallest mRNA of human respiratory syncytial (RS) virus and encodes a single protein of approximate molecular weight 9500 as estimated previously by gel electrophoresis. The nucleotide sequence of the 1A mRNA, determined from several full-length cDNA clones, is reported. The 1A mRNA consists of 405 nucleotides, exclusive of poly(A), with relatively long nontranslated regions at the 5' and 3' ends (84 and 126 nucleotides, respectively). The sequences at the 5' and 3' termini of the 1A mRNA conform to the previously described conserved consensus sequences for RS virus mRNAs. The major open reading frame of the 1A mRNA codes for a hydrophobic polypeptide of 64 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 7536. The 5' terminus of the 1A mRNA was mapped and sequenced by primer extension under conditions for sequencing by partial chain termination. These experiments also identified a population of polycistronic RNA having the general structure: 5' M protein mRNA-1A mRNA 3'. This polytranscript was sequenced in order to determine the intergenic sequence. In the polytranscript, the nucleotide sequence of the M gene is followed by, in mRNA sense, six A residues and the intergenic sequence 5' ... UAUACACNN (N represents unidentified nucleotide).

Characterization of the 10 proteins of human respiratory syncytial virus: identification of a fourth envelope-associated protein

A total of 13 respiratory syncytial (RS) virus specific polypeptides were identified by pulse-chase metabolic labeling of infected HEp-2 cells. Ten of the 13 proteins were shown to be unique. They were the L, G, F (F1, F2), N, P, M, 24K, 14K, 11K and 9.5K proteins. These conclusions were based on peptide mapping and on previous work showing that each of 10 polypeptides are coded for by a unique mRNA. The seven largest proteins, L, G, F (F1, F2), N, P, M and 24K were identified clearly as virion structural proteins. The 24K protein was characterized by detergent and salt dissociation studies as an envelope-associated protein, bringing to four (G, F (F1, F2), M and 24K) the number of membrane associated proteins for RS virus. A fourth membrane-associated protein has not been described previously for any other paramyxovirus. Of the three smallest proteins, the 14K and 11K were characterized as non-structural proteins. The 9.5K protein was detected in low amounts in highly purified preparations of virions.

Antibody response to respiratory syncytial virus structural proteins in children with acute respiratory syncytial virus infection

The purified respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Randall strain contained 10 polypeptides (72,000 molecular weight [72K], 66K, 48K, 42K, 40K, 36K, 30K, 23K, 18K, and 15K), 8 of which proved to be virus specific, and polypeptides 48K and 23K were glycosylated. In addition, a high-molecular-weight (150K), virus-specific glycopolypeptide was immunoprecipitated from RSV-infected cell lysate. The antibody response in human sera serially collected from children with primary RSV infection was mainly directed against the polypeptides 30K, 48K, and 72K. The immune response against the other viral proteins was also already detectable in the acute-phase sera. These results indicate that the immune response in RSV infection differs significantly from those for other diseases caused by paramyxoviruses.

The development of monoclonal antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus and their use in diagnosis by indirect immunofluorescence

Twelve clones of murine hybridoma cells secreting antibody specific for respiratory syncytial (RS) virus were classified into four groups on the basis of their pattern of staining of unfixed RS virus-infected HEp-2 cells in an indirect immunofluorescence test. Three of the groups reacted with virus antigens present on the membrane of the cells, whilst the fourth group failed to stain most live cells, suggesting specificity for an antigen expressed internally. Representative monoclonals from the membrane antigen staining groups immunoprecipitated the 86K glycoprotein (G), 50K plus 19K glycoprotein (F1,2) and a 23K non-glycosylated protein (VP23). A representative monoclonal from the fourth group that appeared to stain an internally expressed protein immunoprecipitated the virion 34K phospho-protein (P). All four monoclonals stained acetone-fixed tissue culture cells infected with either the Long strain of RS virus or with strains isolated in Newcastle during the 1965, 1972, and 1983 winter epidemics. The anti-fusion protein antibody stained acetone-fixed cells from all of 26 nasopharyngeal secretions from infants with RS virus infection. The anti-G glycoprotein antibody and the anti-VP23 antibody stained cells from secretions poorly or not at all, whilst the anti-P protein antibody stained cells in half the secretions tested but reacted with only a small proportion of cells in comparison with the anti-F or polyclonal antibodies. A pool of all four monoclonals produced more intense staining than the anti-F monoclonal alone and gave a more clearly defined staining reaction than the polyclonal antiserum used for routine diagnosis in over half the secretions. These results indicate that monoclonal antibodies will be of value in the diagnosis of RS virus by indirect immunofluorescence if care is taken in the selection of a suitable pool.

Sequence analysis of the respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein gene

A recombinant cDNA plasmid (pRSA3) containing an almost full-length copy of the mRNA encoding respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein was identified in a cDNA library prepared with mRNA from respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells. The cDNA insert was sequenced, and a protein of 27,150 daltons was deduced from the DNA sequence. The protein is relatively acidic, containing two clusters of acidic amino acids, one in the middle of the molecule and the other at the C-terminus. It is devoid of both cysteine and tryptophan. There was no other potential reading frame within the phosphoprotein gene of respiratory syncytial virus. This situation is unlike that with Sendai virus, a paramyxovirus, which has a nonstructural C protein encoded by a second overlapping reading frame near the 5' end of the mRNA for phosphoprotein.

Identification of a tenth mRNA of respiratory syncytial virus and assignment of polypeptides to the 10 viral genes

Nine mRNAs, their cDNA clones, and a genome transcriptional map have been reported previously for respiratory syncytial virus (P. L. Collins and G. W. Wertz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:3208-3212, 1983). We report here the identification of a 10th viral mRNA, designated mRNA 2b (molecular weight [MW] ca. 0.39 X 10(6)), that was detected by RNA (Northern) blot hybridization with cDNA clones. Analysis of a polycistronic readthrough transcript was used to deduce the position in the viral transcriptional map of the gene encoding the newly identified mRNA. The polypeptide coding assignments of 9 of the 10 respiratory syncytial virus mRNAs were determined. Individual viral mRNAs were purified by hybridization selection with nine unique, nonoverlapping cDNA clones and analyzed by translation in vitro. Each of the nine mRNAs encoded a single polypeptide chain. The coding assignments were as follows: RNA 1a (MW ca. 0.24 X 10(6)), a 9,500-dalton (9.5K) protein; RNA 1b (MW 0.26 X 10(6)), an 11K protein; RNA 1c (MW 0.26 X 10(6)), a 14K protein; RNA 2a (MW 0.38 X 10(6)), the 34K phosphorylated (P) protein; RNA 2b (MW 0.39 X 10(6)), a 36K protein; RNA 3a (MW 0.40 X 10(6)), the 26K matrix (M) protein; RNA 3b (MW 0.40 X 10(6)), a 24K protein; RNA 4 (MW 0.47 X 10(6)), the 42K major nucleocapsid (N) protein; and RNA 5 (MW 0.74 X 10(6)), a 59K protein. The cDNA clones used for the hybridization selections were respiratory syncytial virus specific and did not hybridize with uninfected-cell mRNA; therefore the proteins synthesized with the selected mRNAs were virus specific. The 9.5K, 11K, 14K, 24K, M, P, 36K, N, and 59K proteins were encoded by different mRNAs; therefore these nine proteins are all unique. The 9.5K, 11K, 14K, 24K, M, P, and N proteins synthesized in vitro with hybrid-selected mRNAs each had counterparts with the same electrophoretic mobilities in extracts of virus-infected cells. The in vitro polypeptides and their authentic counterparts were shown to be closely related by limited digest peptide mapping. The 36K and 59K polypeptides lacked counterparts with the same electrophoretic mobilities in infected cells and therefore are candidates for the unprocessed precursors of the viral F and G glycoproteins. The 10th viral mRNA, the 2,500K RNA 7, was not tested directly but is the only known mRNA of the appropriate size to encode the 200K large (L) protein of the viral nucleocapsid. These assignments account for all 10 of the reported viral mRNAs and bring to 10 the number of known unique viral proteins.

Respiratory syncytial virus glycoproteins

The proteins of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eight virion structural proteins with molecular weights of 180,000, 89,000, 48,000, 42,000, 34,000, 28,000, 25,000, and 21,000 were identified. These proteins were given tentative designations of L (180,000), G (89,000), F1 (48,000), NP (42,000), P (34,000), M (28,000), Vp25 (25,000), and F2 (21,000). The 89,000-, 48,000-, and 21,000-dalton polypeptides were glycosylated and could be purified on lentil-lectin sepharose columns. All three glycoproteins could be immunoprecipitated from extracts of infected cells but not from uninfected cells, suggesting that they are viral specified. The host cell affected the apparent molecular weights of the largest and smallest glycosylated polypeptides possibly by differences in glycosylation. The 48,000- and 21,000-dalton glycopolypeptides were disulfide linked subunits of a 68,000-dalton glycoprotein that was seen on unreduced gels. The 68,000-dalton glycoprotein was thus similar to the fusion (F) protein of paramyxoviruses. Treatment of infected cultures with tunicamycin, a drug that blocks glycosylation, inhibited syncytial formation and resulted in over a 1000-fold reduction of extracellular infectious virus. Virions purified from tunicamycin-treated cells had reduced amounts of all three glycosylated proteins. No new forms of these proteins were conclusively identified, suggesting that unglycosylated forms of RS glycoproteins were not incorporated into virion membranes.

Modified immunoprecipitation procedure for the identification of human respiratory syncytial virus polypeptides

When analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, human respiratory syncytial virus harvested after a one step growth cycle and purified through a continuous sucrose density gradient was shown to be composed of nine structural proteins of 90, 68, 49, 42, 34, 28, 25, 19 an 13 kd. The 90, 49 and 19 kd polypeptides were identified as glycopolypeptides by glucosamine incorporation. A modified immunoprecipitation procedure confirmed the viral specificity of the 49, 42, 28, 25 and 19 kd polypeptides.

Monoclonal antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus proteins: identification of the fusion protein

Six monoclonal antibodies directed against respiratory syncytial virus proteins were produced. Each was characterized by immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence. One was directed against the nucleocapsid protein. NP 44, two were directed against a 37,000-dalton protein, two were directed against the major envelope glycoprotein, GP 90, and one was directed against the 70,000-dalton envelope protein, VP 70. Indirect immunofluorescence stain patterns of infected HEp-2 cells defined GP 90 and VP 70 as viral proteins expressed on the cell surface, whereas NP 44 and the 37,000-dalton protein were detected as intracytoplasmic inclusions. One of the anti-GP 90 antibodies neutralized virus only in the presence of complement but did not inhibit cell-cell fusion. The anti-VP 70 antibody neutralized virus without complement and inhibited cell-cell fusion of previously infected HEp-2 cells, thus identifying VP 70 as the fusion protein.

cDNA cloning and transcriptional mapping of nine polyadenylylated RNAs encoded by the genome of human respiratory syncytial virus

We have isolated cDNA clones representing nine unique poly(A)+ RNAs transcribed from the genome of human respiratory syncytial virus, a paramyxovirus. A cDNA library was constructed by using poly(A)+ RNA from virus-infected cells as template and the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322 as vector. Viral cDNA clones were identified by hybridization with cDNA probes prepared from viral genomic RNA. The viral clones were grouped into nine different families by hybridization with individual size-selected reverse transcripts representing the major classes of poly(A)+ RNA from virus-infected cells. The largest clone from each family was selected for analysis. These nine clones, molecular sizes ranging from 520 to 2,600 base pairs, were shown to be unrelated on the basis of reciprocal hybridization using dot-blots. These cDNA clones were then used as hybridization probes to analyze intracellular viral RNAs that had been separated by gel electrophoresis and transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl-paper. All nine clones hybridized with intracellular viral genomic RNA, confirmation of virus specificity. Nine unique intracellular viral poly(A)+ RNAs were identified [molecular sizes ranging from 720 to 7,500 nucleotides, including poly(A)]. Comparison of the sizes of these major RNAs and the cDNA clones indicated that a number of the clones represented nearly complete copies of the corresponding RNAs. Several other intracellular viral poly(A)+ RNAs appeared to be polycistronic by the criteria of molecular weights and homologies to various combinations of cDNA clones. The sizes and sequence contents of these polycistronic RNAs were used to prepare a transcriptional map whose significance is discussed.

Respiratory syncytial virus mRNA coding assignments

The polypeptide coding assignments for six of the respiratory syncytial virus-specific mRNAs were determined by translation of the individual mRNAs in vitro. The coding assignments of the RNAs are as follows. RNA band 1 is complex and can be separated into at least two components on the basis of electrophoretic mobility (molecular weights [MWs] approximately equal to 0.21 X 10(6) and 0.31 X 10(6), respectively) that code for three polypeptides of 9.5, 11, and 14 kilodaltons (K). RNA 2 (MW, 0.39 X 10(6)) codes for a 34K polypeptide; RNA 3 (MW, 0.40 X 10(6)) codes for a 26K polypeptide; RNA 4 (MW, 0.47 X 10(6)) codes for a 42K polypeptide; and RNA 5 (MW, 0.74 X 10(6)) codes for a 59K polypeptide. By limited-digest peptide mapping, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro appeared to be unique. Additionally, peptide mapping showed that the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro were indistinguishable from their counterparts synthesized in infected cells. Thus, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides coded for by mRNAs 2, 3, and 4, respectively, were identified as the respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein (34K), matrix protein (26K), and nucleocapsid protein (42K), respectively. RNA 5 was shown to code for a 59K polypeptide. The 59K polypeptide synthesized in vitro did not comigrate with any polypeptide specific to infected cells, suggesting that it is a candidate for co- or post-translational modification.