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Chen BJ, Lin CH, Wu HY, Cai JJ, Chao DY. Experimental and analytical pipeline for sub-genomic RNA landscape of coronavirus by Nanopore sequencer. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0395423. [PMID: 38483513 PMCID: PMC10986531 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03954-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, can infect a variety of mammalian and avian hosts with significant medical and economic consequences. During the life cycle of CoV, a coordinated series of subgenomic RNAs, including canonical subgenomic messenger RNA and non-canonical defective viral genomes (DVGs), are generated with different biological implications. Studies that adopted the Nanopore sequencer (ONT) to investigate the landscape and dynamics of viral RNA subgenomic transcriptomes applied arbitrary bioinformatics parameters without justification or experimental validation. The current study used bovine coronavirus (BCoV), which can be performed under biosafety level 2 for library construction and experimental validation using traditional colony polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Four different ONT protocols, including RNA direct and cDNA direct sequencing with or without exonuclease treatment, were used to generate RNA transcriptomic libraries from BCoV-infected cell lysates. Through rigorously examining the k-mer, gap size, segment size, and bin size, the optimal cutoffs for the bioinformatic pipeline were determined to remove the sequence noise while keeping the informative DVG reads. The sensitivity and specificity of identifying DVG reads using the proposed pipeline can reach 82.6% and 99.6% under the k-mer size cutoff of 15. Exonuclease treatment reduced the abundance of RNA transcripts; however, it was not necessary for future library preparation. Additional recovery of clipped BCoV nucleotide sequences with experimental validation expands the landscape of the CoV discontinuous RNA transcriptome, whose biological function requires future investigation. The results of this study provide the benchmarks for library construction and bioinformatic parameters for studying the discontinuous CoV RNA transcriptome.IMPORTANCEFunctional defective viral genomic RNA, containing all the cis-acting elements required for translation or replication, may play different roles in triggering cell innate immune signaling, interfering with the canonical subgenomic messenger RNA transcription/translation or assisting in establishing persistence infection. This study does not only provide benchmarks for library construction and bioinformatic parameters for studying the discontinuous coronavirus RNA transcriptome but also reveals the complexity of the bovine coronavirus transcriptome, whose functional assays will be critical in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jia Chen
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - James J. Cai
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Day-Yu Chao
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Lin CH, Chen B, Chao DY, Hsieh FC, Lai CC, Wang WC, Kuo CY, Yang CC, Hsu HW, Tam HMH, Wu HY. Biological characterization of coronavirus noncanonical transcripts in vitro and in vivo. Virol J 2023; 20:232. [PMID: 37828527 PMCID: PMC10571414 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to the well-known coronavirus genomes and subgenomic mRNAs, the existence of other coronavirus RNA species, which are collectively referred to as noncanonical transcripts, has been suggested; however, their biological characteristics have not yet been experimentally validated in vitro and in vivo. METHODS To comprehensively determine the amounts, species and structures of noncanonical transcripts for bovine coronavirus in HRT-18 cells and mouse hepatitis virus A59, a mouse coronavirus, in mouse L cells and mice, nanopore direct RNA sequencing was employed. To experimentally validate the synthesis of noncanonical transcripts under regular infection, Northern blotting was performed. Both Northern blotting and nanopore direct RNA sequencing were also applied to examine the reproducibility of noncanonical transcripts. In addition, Northern blotting was also employed to determine the regulatory features of noncanonical transcripts under different infection conditions, including different cells, multiplicities of infection (MOIs) and coronavirus strains. RESULTS In the current study, we (i) experimentally determined that coronavirus noncanonical transcripts were abundantly synthesized, (ii) classified the noncanonical transcripts into seven populations based on their structures and potential synthesis mechanisms, (iii) showed that the species and amounts of the noncanonical transcripts were reproducible during regular infection but regulated in altered infection environments, (iv) revealed that coronaviruses may employ various mechanisms to synthesize noncanonical transcripts, and (v) found that the biological characteristics of coronavirus noncanonical transcripts were similar between in vitro and in vivo conditions. CONCLUSIONS The biological characteristics of noncanonical coronavirus transcripts were experimentally validated for the first time. The identified features of noncanonical transcripts in terms of abundance, reproducibility and variety extend the current model for coronavirus gene expression. The capability of coronaviruses to regulate the species and amounts of noncanonical transcripts may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronaviruses during infection, posing potential challenges in disease control. Thus, the biology of noncanonical transcripts both in vitro and in vivo revealed here can provide a database for biological research, contributing to the development of antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - BoJia Chen
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Day-Yu Chao
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Cheng Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chen Lai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Wang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Kuo
- Institute of Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chun Yang
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Wei Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hon-Man-Herman Tam
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
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Quer J, Colomer-Castell S, Campos C, Andrés C, Piñana M, Cortese MF, González-Sánchez A, Garcia-Cehic D, Ibáñez M, Pumarola T, Rodríguez-Frías F, Antón A, Tabernero D. Next-Generation Sequencing for Confronting Virus Pandemics. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030600. [PMID: 35337007 PMCID: PMC8950049 DOI: 10.3390/v14030600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus pandemics have happened, are happening and will happen again. In recent decades, the rate of zoonotic viral spillover into humans has accelerated, mirroring the expansion of our global footprint and travel network, including the expansion of viral vectors and the destruction of natural spaces, bringing humans closer to wild animals. Once viral cross-species transmission to humans occurs, transmission cannot be stopped by cement walls but by developing barriers based on knowledge that can prevent or reduce the effects of any pandemic. Controlling a local transmission affecting few individuals is more efficient that confronting a community outbreak in which infections cannot be traced. Genetic detection, identification, and characterization of infectious agents using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been proven to be a powerful tool allowing for the development of fast PCR-based molecular assays, the rapid development of vaccines based on mRNA and DNA, the identification of outbreaks, transmission dynamics and spill-over events, the detection of new variants and treatment of vaccine resistance mutations, the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs, the discovery of relevant minority variants to improve knowledge of the viral life cycle, strengths and weaknesses, the potential for becoming dominant to take appropriate preventive measures, and the discovery of new routes of viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Quer
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.Q.); (A.A.)
| | - Sergi Colomer-Castell
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Carolina Campos
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Cristina Andrés
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Maria Piñana
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Maria Francesca Cortese
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandra González-Sánchez
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Damir Garcia-Cehic
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Marta Ibáñez
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
| | - Tomàs Pumarola
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
- Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Antón
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
- Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.Q.); (A.A.)
| | - David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Microbiology Departments, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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Zhang R, Wang P, Ma X, Wu Y, Luo C, Qiu L, Zeshan B, Yang Z, Zhou Y, Wang X. Nanopore-Based Direct RNA-Sequencing Reveals a High-Resolution Transcriptional Landscape of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:2531. [PMID: 34960801 PMCID: PMC8706258 DOI: 10.3390/v13122531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The TRS-mediated discontinuous transcription process is a hallmark of Arteriviruses. Precise assessment of the intricate subgenomic RNA (sg mRNA) populations is required to understand the kinetics of viral transcription. It is difficult to reconstruct and comprehensively quantify splicing events using short-read sequencing, making the identification of transcription-regulatory sequences (TRS) particularly problematic. Here, we applied long-read direct RNA sequencing to characterize the recombined RNA molecules produced in porcine alveolar macrophages during early passage infection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Based on sequencing two PRRSV isolates, namely XM-2020 and GD, we revealed a high-resolution and diverse transcriptional landscape in PRRSV. The data revealed intriguing differences in subgenomic recombination types between the two PRRSVs while also demonstrating TRS-independent heterogeneous subpopulation not previously observed in Arteriviruses. We find that TRS usage is a regulated process and share the common preferred TRS in both strains. This study also identified a substantial number of TRS-mediated transcript variants, including alternative-sg mRNAs encoding the same annotated ORF, as well as putative sg mRNAs encoded nested internal ORFs, implying that the genetic information encoded in PRRSV may be more intensively expressed. Epigenetic modifications have emerged as an essential regulatory layer in gene expression. Here, we gained a deeper understanding of m5C modification in poly(A) RNA, elucidating a potential link between methylation and transcriptional regulation. Collectively, our findings provided meaningful insights for redefining the transcriptome complexity of PRRSV. This will assist in filling the research gaps and developing strategies for better control of the PRRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riteng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Peixin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Xin Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Yifan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Chen Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Li Qiu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Basit Zeshan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Johar Town, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Zengqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Yefei Zhou
- Department of Life Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (R.Z.); (P.W.); (X.M.); (Y.W.); (C.L.); (L.Q.); (Z.Y.)
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Lin CH, Yang CY, Wang M, Ou SC, Lo CY, Tsai TL, Wu HY. Effects of Coronavirus Persistence on the Genome Structure and Subsequent Gene Expression, Pathogenicity and Adaptation Capability. Cells 2020; 9:E2322. [PMID: 33086697 PMCID: PMC7589090 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are able to establish persistence. However, how coronaviruses react to persistence and whether the selected viruses have altered their characteristics remain unclear. In this study, we found that the persistent infection of bovine coronavirus (BCoV), which is in the same genus as SARS-COV-2, led to alterations of genome structure, attenuation of gene expression, and the synthesis of subgenomic mRNA (sgmRNA) with a previously unidentified pattern. Subsequent analyses revealed that the altered genome structures were associated with the attenuation of gene expression. In addition, the genome structure at the 5' terminus and the cellular environment during the persistence were responsible for the sgmRNA synthesis, solving the previously unanswered question regarding the selection of transcription regulatory sequence for synthesis of BCoV sgmRNA 12.7. Although the BCoV variants (BCoV-p95) selected under the persistence replicated efficiently in cells without persistent infection, its pathogenicity was still lower than that of wild-type (wt) BCoV. Furthermore, in comparison with wt BCoV, the variant BCoV-p95 was not able to efficiently adapt to the challenges of alternative environments, suggesting wt BCoV is genetically robust. We anticipate that the findings derived from this fundamental research can contribute to the disease control and treatments against coronavirus infection including SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (C.-Y.Y.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-L.T.)
| | - Cheng-Yao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (C.-Y.Y.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-L.T.)
| | - Meilin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan;
| | - Shan-Chia Ou
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan;
| | - Chen-Yu Lo
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (C.-Y.Y.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-L.T.)
| | - Tsung-Lin Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (C.-Y.Y.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-L.T.)
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (C.-Y.Y.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-L.T.)
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Stokstad M, Klem TB, Myrmel M, Oma VS, Toftaker I, Østerås O, Nødtvedt A. Using Biosecurity Measures to Combat Respiratory Disease in Cattle: The Norwegian Control Program for Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Bovine Coronavirus. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:167. [PMID: 32318587 PMCID: PMC7154156 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) cause important health problems in all cattle husbandry systems. It contributes substantially to the use of antimicrobial substances and compromises animal welfare and the sustainability of the cattle industry. The existing preventive measures of BRD focus at the individual animal or herd level and include vaccination, mass treatment with antimicrobials and improvement of the animal's environment and general health status. Despite progress in our understanding of disease mechanism and technological development, the current preventive measures are not sufficiently effective. Thus, there is a need for alternative, sustainable strategies to combat the disease. Some of the primary infectious agents in the BRD complex are viruses that are easily transmitted between herds such as bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV). This conceptual analysis presents arguments for combatting BRD through improved external biosecurity in the cattle herds. As an example of a population-based approach to the control of BRD, the Norwegian BRSV/BCoV control-program is presented. The program is voluntary and launched by the national cattle industry. The core principle is classification of herds based on antibody testing and subsequent prevention of virus-introduction through improved biosecurity measures. Measures include external herd biosecurity barriers and regulations in the organization of animal trade to reduce direct and indirect transmission of virus. Improved biosecurity in a large proportion of herds will lead to a considerable effect at the population level. Positive herds are believed to gain freedom by time if new introduction is avoided. Vaccination is not used as part of the program. Dissemination of information to producers and veterinarians is essential. We believe that reducing the incidence of BRD in cattle is essential and will lead to reduced antimicrobial usage while at the same time improving animal health, welfare and production. Alternative approaches to the traditional control measures are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stokstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Mette Myrmel
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Veslemøy Sunniva Oma
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Toftaker
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Østerås
- Section for Research and Development in Primary Production, Tine SA, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane Nødtvedt
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Lo CY, Tsai TL, Lin CN, Lin CH, Wu HY. Interaction of coronavirus nucleocapsid protein with the 5'- and 3'-ends of the coronavirus genome is involved in genome circularization and negative-strand RNA synthesis. FEBS J 2019; 286:3222-3239. [PMID: 31034708 PMCID: PMC7164124 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of the negative‐strand ((−)‐strand) counterpart is the first step of coronavirus (CoV) replication; however, the detailed mechanism of the early event and the factors involved remain to be determined. Here, using bovine coronavirus (BCoV)‐defective interfering (DI) RNA, we showed that (a) a poly(A) tail with a length of 15 nucleotides (nt) was sufficient to initiate efficient (−)‐strand RNA synthesis and (b) substitution of the poly(A) tail with poly(U), (C) or (G) only slightly decreased the efficiency of (−)‐strand synthesis. The findings indicate that in addition to the poly(A) tail, other factors acting in trans may also participate in (−)‐strand synthesis. The BCoV nucleocapsid (N) protein, an RNA‐binding protein, was therefore tested as a candidate. Based on dissociation constant (Kd) values, it was found that the binding affinity between N protein, but not poly(A)‐binding protein, and the 3′‐terminal 55 nt plus a poly(A), poly(U), poly(C) or poly(G) tail correlates with the efficiency of (−)‐strand synthesis. Such an association was also evidenced by the binding affinity between the N protein and 5′‐ and 3′‐terminal cis‐acting elements important for (−)‐strand synthesis. Further analysis demonstrated that N protein can act as a bridge to facilitate interaction between the 5′‐ and 3′‐ends of the CoV genome, leading to circularization of the genome. Together, the current study extends our understanding of the mechanism of CoV (−)‐strand RNA synthesis through involvement of N protein and genome circularization and thus may explain why the addition of N protein in trans is required for efficient CoV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yu Lo
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Lin Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Characterization of the Role of Hexamer AGUAAA and Poly(A) Tail in Coronavirus Polyadenylation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165077. [PMID: 27760233 PMCID: PMC5070815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to eukaryotic mRNA, the positive-strand coronavirus genome of ~30 kilobases is 5’-capped and 3’-polyadenylated. It has been demonstrated that the length of the coronaviral poly(A) tail is not static but regulated during infection; however, little is known regarding the factors involved in coronaviral polyadenylation and its regulation. Here, we show that during infection, the level of coronavirus poly(A) tail lengthening depends on the initial length upon infection and that the minimum length to initiate lengthening may lie between 5 and 9 nucleotides. By mutagenesis analysis, it was found that (i) the hexamer AGUAAA and poly(A) tail are two important elements responsible for synthesis of the coronavirus poly(A) tail and may function in concert to accomplish polyadenylation and (ii) the function of the hexamer AGUAAA in coronaviral polyadenylation is position dependent. Based on these findings, we propose a process for how the coronaviral poly(A) tail is synthesized and undergoes variation. Our results provide the first genetic evidence to gain insight into coronaviral polyadenylation.
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Identification of cis-acting elements on positive-strand subgenomic mRNA required for the synthesis of negative-strand counterpart in bovine coronavirus. Viruses 2014; 6:2938-59. [PMID: 25080125 PMCID: PMC4147681 DOI: 10.3390/v6082938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that, in addition to genomic RNA, sgmRNA is able to serve as a template for the synthesis of the negative-strand [(−)-strand] complement. However, the cis-acting elements on the positive-strand [(+)-strand] sgmRNA required for (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis have not yet been systematically identified. In this study, we employed real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to analyze the cis-acting elements on bovine coronavirus (BCoV) sgmRNA 7 required for the synthesis of its (−)-strand counterpart by deletion mutagenesis. The major findings are as follows. (1) Deletion of the 5'-terminal leader sequence on sgmRNA 7 decreased the synthesis of the (−)-strand sgmRNA complement. (2) Deletions of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) bulged stem-loop showed no effect on (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis; however, deletion of the 3' UTR pseudoknot decreased the yield of (−)-strand sgmRNA. (3) Nucleotides positioned from −15 to −34 of the sgmRNA 7 3'-terminal region are required for efficient (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis. (4) Nucleotide species at the 3'-most position (−1) of sgmRNA 7 is correlated to the efficiency of (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis. These results together suggest, in principle, that the 5'- and 3'-terminal sequences on sgmRNA 7 harbor cis-acting elements are critical for efficient (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis in BCoV.
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The 3'-terminal 55 nucleotides of bovine coronavirus defective interfering RNA harbor cis-acting elements required for both negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98422. [PMID: 24852421 PMCID: PMC4031142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of the negative-strand [(−)-strand] complement of the ∼30 kilobase, positive-strand [(+)-strand] coronaviral genome is a necessary early step for genome replication. The identification of cis-acting elements required for (−)-strand RNA synthesis in coronaviruses, however, has been hampered due to insufficiencies in the techniques used to detect the (−)-strand RNA species. Here, we employed a method of head-to-tail ligation and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to detect and quantitate the synthesis of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) defective interfering (DI) RNA (−) strands. Furthermore, using the aforementioned techniques along with Northern blot assay, we specifically defined the cis-acting RNA elements within the 3′-terminal 55 nucleotides (nts) which function in the synthesis of (−)- or (+)-strand BCoV DI RNA. The major findings are as follows: (i) nts from -5 to -39 within the 3′-terminal 55 nts are the cis-acting elements responsible for (−)-strand BCoV DI RNA synthesis, (ii) nts from −3 to −34 within the 3′-terminal 55 nts are cis-acting elements required for (+)-strand BCoV DI RNA synthesis, and (iii) the nucleotide species at the 3′-most position (−1) is important, but not critical, for both (−)- and (+)-strand BCoV DI RNA synthesis. These results demonstrate that the 3′-terminal 55 nts in BCoV DI RNA harbor cis-acting RNA elements required for both (−)- and (+)-strand DI RNA synthesis and extend our knowledge on the mechanisms of coronavirus replication. The method of head-to-tail ligation and qRT-PCR employed in the study may also be applied to identify other cis-acting elements required for (−)-strand RNA synthesis in coronaviruses.
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