Phylogenetic Analysis of the Sigma 2 Protein Gene of Turkey Reoviruses

Molecular characterization of turkey enteric reovirus S3 gene

The molecular diversity in S3 gene sequences of turkey reovirus (TRV) was determined in poult enteritis syndrome (PES)-affected and apparently healthy turkey poults. Twenty-nine TRV-positive samples (15 from PES-affected flocks and 14 from apparently healthy flocks) were tested using self-designed primers for the S3 gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the TRV S3 sequences of this study clustered in clade III and formed two different groups in this clade. The avian reoviruses from duck and goose formed clade I and those from chickens formed clade II. The clade III TRV sequences had a nucleotide percent identity of 88.9 to 100% among themselves but only of 59.5 to 63.5% and 69.2 to 72.6% with clades I and II, respectively. More amino acid substitutions were present in TRVs from PES-affected flocks than in those from apparently healthy flocks using ATCC VR-818 (AY444912) as a benchmark. All TRVs of this study showed substitutions at positions 244 and 285. The impact of these changes on the virulence of the virus, if any, needs to be studied.

Enteric viruses in turkey enteritis

Gut health is very important to get maximum returns in terms of weight gain and egg production. Enteric diseases such as poult enteritis complex (PEC) in turkeys do not allow their production potential to be achieved to its maximum. A number of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa have been implicated but the primary etiology has not been definitively established. Previously, electron microscopy was used to detect the presence of enteric viruses, which were identified solely on the basis of their morphology. With the advent of rapid molecular diagnostic methods and next generation nucleic acid sequencing, researchers have made long strides in identification and characterization of viruses associated with PEC. The molecular techniques have also helped us in identification of pathogens which were previously not known. Regional and national surveys have revealed the presence of several different enteric viruses in PEC including rotavirus, astrovirus, reovirus and coronavirus either alone or in combination. There may still be unknown pathogens that may directly or indirectly play a role in enteritis in turkeys. This review will focus on the role of turkey coronavirus, rotavirus, reovirus, and astrovirus in turkey enteritis.

Antigenic analysis of monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of σB protein of avian reovirus

BACKGROUND

Avian reovirus (ARV) causes arthritis, tenosynovitis, runting-stunting syndrome (RSS), malabsorption syndrome (MAS) and immunosuppression in chickens. σB is one of the major structural proteins of ARV, which is able to induce group-specific antibodies against the virus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study described the identification of two linear B-cell epitopes in ARV σB through expressing a set of partially overlapping and consecutive truncated peptides spanning σB screened with two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 1F4 and 1H3-1.The data indicated that (21)KTPACW(26) (epitope A) and (32)WDTVTFH(38) (epitope B) were minimal determinants of the linear B cell epitopes. Antibodies present in the serum of ARV-positive chickens recognized the minimal linear epitopes in Western blot analyses. By sequence alignment analysis, we determined that the epitopes A and B were not conserved among ARV, duck reovirus (DRV) and turkey reovirus (TRV) strains. Western blot assays, confirmed that epitopes A and B were ARV-specific epitopes, and they could not react with the corresponding peptides of DRV and TRV.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

We identified (21)KTPACW(26) and (32)WDTVTFH(38) as σB -specific epitopes recognized by mAbs 1F4 and 1H3-1, respectively. The results in this study may have potential applications in development of diagnostic techniques and epitope-based marker vaccines against ARV groups.

Antigenic analysis monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of σB protein of Muscovy duck reovirus

σB is one of the major structural proteins of Muscovy duck reovirus (DRV), which is able to induce protective immune response in target birds. Four anti-DRV σB MAbs were identified belong to two distinct epitopes, designated A (1E5, 4E3, and 5D8) and B (2F7) (Liu et al., 2010). To understand antigenic determinants of the σB protein, a set of 20 (P1-P20), partially overlapping and consecutive peptides spanning σB were expressed and then screened by MAbs. With Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), two minimal units of the linear epitopes, 19YIRAPACWD27 (epitope B) and 65TDGVCFPHHK74 (epitope A), were identified within N-terminal region of the σB protein. The epitope B was highly conserved among DRV and avian reovirus (ARV) strains through sequence alignment analysis. Immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and ELISA, confirmed that epitope B is a broad group-specific epitope among DRV and ARV. Epitope A could only react with chicken embyonated fibroblast cells (CEF) infected with DRV, but not ARV. However, both peptides have good immunogenicity and could induce antibodies against DRV in BALB/c mice. This report documents the first identification of σB epitopes in the precise locations. The two probes would be useful in the development of discriminating diagnostic kits for DRV and ARV infection.

A purified recombinant baculovirus expressed capsid protein of a new astrovirus provides partial protection to runting-stunting syndrome in chickens

A new viral sequence likely belonging to a virus of the family Astroviridae was determined using the gut content of chickens affected with the runting-stunting syndrome (RSS) in chickens. Since the appropriate virus could not be isolated in cell culture the open reading frame of the viral capsid protein was cloned to generate a recombinant baculovirus. The protein was purified and used as an experimental vaccine in broiler breeders to provide maternal derived antibodies for the protection of the offspring. The presence of specific antibodies was monitored by an ELISA. The offspring of vaccinated breeder hens were partially protected in a RSS challenge model.

Conserved structure/function of the orthoreovirus major core proteins

Orthoreoviruses are infectious agents with genomes of 10 segments of double-stranded RNA. Detailed molecular information is available for all 10 segments of several mammalian orthoreoviruses, and for most segments of several avian orthoreoviruses (ARV). We, and others, have reported sequences of the L2, all S-class, and all M-class genome segments of two different avian reoviruses, strains ARV138 and ARV176. We here determined L1 and L3 genome segment nucleotide sequences for both strains to complete full genome characterization of this orthoreovirus subgroup. ARV L1 segments were 3958 nucleotides long and encode lambda A major core shell proteins of 1293 residues. L3 segments were 3907 nucleotides long and encode lambda C core turret proteins of 1285 residues. These newly determined ARV segments were aligned with all currently available homologous mammalian reovirus (MRV) and aquareovirus (AqRV) genome segments. Identical and conserved amino acid residues amongst these diverse groups were mapped into known mammalian reovirus lambda 1 core shell and lambda 2 core turret proteins to predict conserved structure/function domains. Most identical and conserved residues were located near predicted catalytic domains in the lambda-class guanylyltransferase, and forming patches that traverse the lambda-class core shell, which may contribute to the unusual RNA transcription processes in this group of viruses.

Avian reovirus L2 genome segment sequences and predicted structure/function of the encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein

Background

The orthoreoviruses are infectious agents that possess a genome comprised of 10 double-stranded RNA segments encased in two concentric protein capsids. Like virtually all RNA viruses, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme is required for viral propagation. RdRp sequences have been determined for the prototype mammalian orthoreoviruses and for several other closely-related reoviruses, including aquareoviruses, but have not yet been reported for any avian orthoreoviruses.

Results

We determined the L2 genome segment nucleotide sequences, which encode the RdRp proteins, of two different avian reoviruses, strains ARV138 and ARV176 in order to define conserved and variable regions within reovirus RdRp proteins and to better delineate structure/function of this important enzyme. The ARV138 L2 genome segment was 3829 base pairs long, whereas the ARV176 L2 segment was 3830 nucleotides long. Both segments were predicted to encode λB RdRp proteins 1259 amino acids in length. Alignments of these newly-determined ARV genome segments, and their corresponding proteins, were performed with all currently available homologous mammalian reovirus (MRV) and aquareovirus (AqRV) genome segment and protein sequences. There was ~55% amino acid identity between ARV λB and MRV λ3 proteins, making the RdRp protein the most highly conserved of currently known orthoreovirus proteins, and there was ~28% identity between ARV λB and homologous MRV and AqRV RdRp proteins. Predictive structure/function mapping of identical and conserved residues within the known MRV λ3 atomic structure indicated most identical amino acids and conservative substitutions were located near and within predicted catalytic domains and lining RdRp channels, whereas non-identical amino acids were generally located on the molecule's surfaces.

Conclusion

The ARV λB and MRV λ3 proteins showed the highest ARV:MRV identity values (~55%) amongst all currently known ARV and MRV proteins. This implies significant evolutionary constraints are placed on dsRNA RdRp molecules, particularly in regions comprising the canonical polymerase motifs and residues thought to interact directly with template and nascent mRNA. This may point the way to improved design of anti-viral agents specifically targeting this enzyme.

Turkey origin reovirus-induced immune dysfunction in specific pathogen free and commercial turkey poults

Recently, pathogenesis studies, using genetically distinct turkey-origin reoviruses (TRVs), revealed that poults infected with certain TRV isolates had moderate to severe bursal atrophy, suggesting virus-induced immune dysfunction. In order to characterize the effect of TRV infection on the turkey immune system, classical assays were undertaken to quantify the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in small Beltsville and broad-breasted white poults infected with the TRV isolate NC/SEP-R44/03. A marked effect on the cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity response, and on the antibody response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) exposure, was noted in commercial and specific pathogen free (SPF) poults inoculated with NC/SEP-R44/03 at three days of age. Moderate to severe bursal atrophy, similar to that noted previously in SPF poults, occurred in commercial poults inoculated at three days of age. This immune dysfunction and bursal atrophy was not present in commercial poults inoculated at three weeks of age.

Sequence analysis of four double-stranded RNA genomic segments reveals an orthoreovirus with a unique genotype infecting psittaciformes

This paper describes the characterization of four double-stranded ribonucleic acid segments, S1, S2, S3, and S4, of a newly identified pathogenic reovirus from parrots. The four segments share a unique 5' terminus GCUUUUC. The amino-acid sequences of the conserved sigma A and sigma NS proteins show less than 60% sequence similarity, whereas those of the outer capsid proteins sigma B and sigma C have at most 47% sequence similarity to their counterparts in other bird or bat reoviruses. In a phylogenetic analysis of the amino-acid sequences, the proteins coded for by the S1 segment, P10, P17, and sigma C, group with their homologous proteins in other avian reoviruses, whereas the major capsid protein, sigma B, and the nonstructural protein, sigma NS, show more sequence similarity to their bat reoviral counterparts. The phylogenetic relationship of sigma A with the homologous avian and bat sequences is unresolved. The possibility that the parrot reovirus has evolved from an ancestral, more batlike reovirus is discussed. It is proposed to designate this unique virus as PsRV.

Periodic monitoring of commercial turkeys for enteric viruses indicates continuous presence of astrovirus and rotavirus on the farms

A longitudinal survey to detect enteric viruses in intestinal contents collected from turkeys in eight commercial operations and one research facility was performed using molecular detection methods. Intestinal contents were collected from turkeys prior to placement, with each flock resampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 wk of age. The samples were screened for astrovirus, rotavirus, reovirus, and turkey coronavirus (TCoV) by a reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and for groups 1 and 2 adenovirus by PCR. Rotavirus was the only virus detected prior to placement (7 of 16 samples examined). All of the commercial flocks were positive for rotavirus and astrovirus from 2 until 6 wk of age, and most were intermittently positive until 12 wk of age, when the birds were processed. Of the 96 samples collected from birds on the farms, 89.5% were positive for astrovirus, and 67.7% were positive for rotavirus. All flocks were negative for TCoV, reovirus, and group 1 adenovirus at all time points, and positive for group 2 adenovirus (hemorrhagic enteritis virus) at 6 wk of age. All the flocks monitored were considered healthy or normal by field personnel. Turkeys placed on research facilities that had been empty for months and thoroughly cleaned had higher body weights and lower feed conversion rates at 5 wk of age when compared to turkeys placed on commercial farms. Intestinal samples collected at 1, 2, and 3 wk of age from these turkeys were free of enteric viruses. This report demonstrates that astroviruses and rotaviruses may be present within a turkey flock through the life of the flock. Comparison of infected birds with one group of turkeys that were negative for enteric viruses by the methods used here suggests that astrovirus and/or rotavirus may affect production. The full impact on flock performance needs to be further determined.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the S1 genome segment of turkey-origin reoviruses

Based on previous reports characterizing the turkey-origin avian reovirus (TRV) sigmaB (sigma2) major outer capsid protein gene, the TRVs may represent a new group within the fusogenic orthoreoviruses. However, no sequence data from other TRV genes or genome segments has been reported. The sigmaC protein encoded by the avian reovirus S1 genome segment is the cell attachment protein and a major antigenic determinant for avian reovirus. The chicken reovirus S1 genome segment is well characterized and is well conserved in viruses from that species. This report details the amplification, cloning and sequencing of the entire S1 genome segment from two and the entire coding sequences of the sigmaC, p10 and p17 genes from an additional five TRVs. Sequence analysis reveals that of the three proteins encoded by the TRV S1 genome segment, sigmaC shares at most 57% amino acid identity with sigmaC from the chicken reovirus reference strain S1133, while the most similar p10 and p17 proteins share 72% and 61% identity, respectively, with the corresponding S1133 proteins. The most closely related mammalian reovirus, the fusogenic Nelson Bay reovirus, encodes a sigmaC protein that shares from 25% to 28% amino acid identity with the TRV sigmaC proteins. This report supports the earlier suggestion that the TRVs are a separate virus species within the Orthoreovirus genus, and may provide some insight into TRV host specificity and pathogenesis.

Pathology and virus tissue distribution of Turkey origin reoviruses in experimentally infected Turkey poults

The pathogenesis of 4 isolates of turkey-origin reovirus (NC/SEP-R44/03, NC/98, TX/98, and NC/85) and 1 chicken-origin reovirus (1733) was examined by infecting specific pathogen free (SPF) poults. These turkey-origin reovirus (TRV) isolates were collected from turkey flocks experiencing poult enteritis and are genetically distinct from previously reported avian reoviruses. Microscopic examination of the tissues collected from the TRV-infected poults revealed different degrees of bursal atrophy characterized by lymphoid depletion and increased fibroplasia between the bursal follicles. To understand the relationship between virus spread and replication, and the induction of lesions, immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for viral antigen, in situ hybridization (ISH) for the detection of viral RNA, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for the detection of apoptosis in affected tissues was performed. Both IHC and ISH revealed viral antigen and RNA in the surface epithelial cells of the bursa, in macrophages in the interstitium of the bursa and, to lesser degree, in splenic red pulp macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells. Increased apoptosis of bursal lymphocytes and macrophages was observed at 2 and 5 days postinoculation. No lesions were found in tissues from poults inoculated with the virulent chicken-origin strain, however viral antigen was detected in the bursa and the intestine. Although all TRVs studied displayed similar tissue tropism, there were substantial differences in the severity of the lesions produced. Poults inoculated with NC/SEP-R44/03 or NC/98 had moderate to severe bursal atrophy, whereas poults inoculated with TX/98 or NC/85 presented a mild to moderate bursal lymphoid depletion. The lymphoid depletion observed in the bursa appears to be the effect of an indirectly induced apoptosis and would most likely result in immune dysfunction in poults infected with TRV.

Genetic variation of the lambdaA and lambdaC protein encoding genes of avian reoviruses

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of lambdaA and lambdaC protein encoding genes of 12 avian reoviruses is described. The sequence of lambdaA possesses a variable region (residues 19-51) located within a conserved hydrophilic region (residues 1-110) and a C(2)H(2) zinc-binding motif (residues 182-202). lambdaC shows the two conserved K residues at positions 169 and 188 indicative of guanylyltransferase activity, an ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (residues 379-386), and a conserved S-adenosyl-l-methionine-binding motif (residues 822-830). Pairwise sequence comparisons show that the mean sequence identities of lambdaA encoding genes and lambdaA proteins are 92% and 98%, respectively, and those of lambdaC encoding genes and lambdaC proteins are 91% and 95%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of lambdaA and lambdaC encoding genes reveals that both encoding genes have diverged into three distinct lineages, respectively, and that there is no correlation between lineages and viral serotypes or pathotypes. Also, reassortment of gene segments L1 and L3 has been observed between viruses.

Characterization of M-class genome segments of muscovy duck reovirus S14

This report documents the first sequence analysis of the entire M1, M2, and M3 genome segments of the muscovy duck reovirus (DRV) S14. The complete sequence of each of the three M gene segments was determined. The M1 genome segment was 2283 nucleotides in length and was predicted to encode muA protein of 732 residues. The Escherichia coli expressed M1 transcripts generated a 108kDa protein, as expected for muA. A cleavage product of muA, muA1, could be detected by Western blotting with duck anti-reovirus and mouse anti-muA polyclonal serum. muA was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasma and nucleus of transfected Vero cells, which provides evidence that muA might be functional related to the mammalian reovirus (MRV) mu2. The M2 gene was 2155 nucleotides in length and was predicted to encode muB major outer capsid protein of 676 amino acids. The M3 genome segment was 1996 nucleotides in length and was predicted to encode a muNS protein of 635 amino acids. It was unexpectedly found that 5'-termini of the M1 and M2 genes ended with 5'-ACUUUU and 5'-UCUUUU, respectively, instead of 5'-GCUUUU, which is present on most mRNAs of other avian reoviruses (ARV). The UCAUC 3'-terminal sequences of the S14 M1, M2, and M3 genome segments are shared by DRV, ARV, and MRV. Alignment of the DRV muA-, muB-, and muNS-encoding genes with ARV revealed 72.9-73.9%, 67.1-69.6%, and 69.4-70.8% nucleotide identity, respectively. The amino acid sequence homology between DRV and ARV ranged from 85.3 to 86.2% (muA), 75.0 to 76.5% (muB), and 78.4 to 79.8% (muNS). Phylogenetic analyses of the M1, M2, M3, and S-class [Kuntz-Simon, G., Le Gall-Recule, G., de Boisseson, C., Jestin, V., 2002. Muscovy duck reovirus sigmaC protein is a typically encoded by the smallest genome segment. J. Gen. Virol. 83, 1189-1200; Zhang, Y., Liu, M., Hu, Q.L., Ouyang, S.D., Tong, G.Z., 2006a. Characterization of the sigmaC-encoding gene from muscovy duck reovirus. Virus Genes 36, 169-174; Zhang, Y., Liu, M., Ouyan, S.D., Hu, Q.L., Guo, D.C., Han, Z., 2006b. Detection and identification of avian, duck, and goose reoviruses by RT-PCR: goose and duck reoviruses aggregated the same specified genogroup in Orthoreovirus Genus II. Arch. Virol. 151, 1525-1538] genome segments suggests that DRV and ARV share a recent common ancestor and that the two lineages have subsequently undergone host dependent evolution.

Sequences of avian reovirus M1, M2 and M3 genes and predicted structure/function of the encoded mu proteins

We report the first sequence analysis of the entire complement of M-class genome segments of an avian reovirus (ARV). We analyzed the M1, M2 and M3 genome segment sequences, and sequences of the corresponding muA, muB and muNS proteins, of two virus strains, ARV138 and ARV176. The ARV M1 genes were 2,283 nucleotides in length and predicted to encode muA proteins of 732 residues. Alignment of the homologous mammalian reovirus (MRV) mu2 and ARV muA proteins revealed a relatively low overall amino acid identity ( approximately 30%), although several highly conserved regions were identified that may contribute to conserved structural and/or functional properties of this minor core protein (i.e. the MRV mu2 protein is an NTPase and a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase cofactor). The ARV M2 genes were 2158 nucleotides in length, encoding predicted muB major outer capsid proteins of 676 amino acids, more than 30 amino acids shorter than the homologous MRV mu1 proteins. In spite of the difference in size, the ARV/MRV muB/mu1 proteins were more conserved than any of the homologous proteins encoded by other M- or S-class genome segments, exhibiting percent amino acid identities of approximately 45%. The conserved regions included the residues involved in the maturation- and entry- specific proteolytic cleavages that occur in the MRV mu1 protein. Notably missing was a region recently implicated in MRV mu1 stabilization and in forming "hub and spokes" complexes in the MRV outer capsid. The ARV M3 genes were 1996 nucleotides in length and predicted to encode a muNS non-structural protein of 635 amino acids, significantly shorter than the homologous MRV muNS protein, which is attributed to several substantial deletions in the aligned ARV muNS proteins. Alignments of the ARV and MRV muNS proteins revealed a low overall amino acid identity ( approximately 25%), although several regions were relatively conserved.

The pathogenesis of turkey origin reoviruses in turkeys and chickens

Avian reoviruses that have been shown to be genetically distinct from chicken origin reoviruses were isolated from commercial turkey flocks in the Southeastern US and Texas that were experiencing enteritis. The pathogenesis of these turkey origin reoviruses (TRVs) was evaluated in commercial and specific pathogen free (SPF) turkey poults and SPF chickens. Mortality, clinical disease, gross lesions, microscopic lesions and body weights were observed. TRVs replicated poorly and did not cause disease in chickens. Clinical disease induced by the TRV isolates, characterized by diarrhoea and depression, was mild in both SPF and commercial origin poults. Several TRV isolates caused moderate to severe bursal atrophy in poults. Additionally, each of the TRV isolates caused significant body weight decreases in SPF and/or commercial poults as compared with sham inoculates. Molecular characterization of the isolates revealed that the TRVs and chicken origin reoviruses had identical electropherotype profiles.

Multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of three viruses associated with poult enteritis complex: turkey astrovirus, turkey coronavirus, and turkey reovirus

Poult enteritis complex (PEC) is an economically important disease of young turkeys characterized by diarrhea, poor weight gain, and, in some cases, high mortality. Although PEC is considered to be a polymicrobial disease, numerous viruses, including turkey coronavirus (TCV), turkey astrovirus type 2 (TAstV-2), and avian reoviruses (ARVs), have been associated with PEC-like disease. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), a highly sensitive and specific detection method for viral RNA, was developed in a multiplex format for the simultaneous detection of TAstV-2 and TCV and for the detection of two genetic types of ARV. Assay sensitivity was determined using in vitro transcribed RNA and varied by target between 150 gene copies for TAstV-2 alone and 2200 gene copies for TCV when multiplexed. Virus detection was evaluated with samples collected from poults inoculated at 1 day of age with each of the viruses. Cloacal swabs and intestinal samples were obtained at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 17, and 21 days after inoculation, processed, and tested for virus detection by RRT-PCR Cloacal swabs from TAstV-2- and TCV-infected poults were shown to have sensitivity for virus detection similar to that of intestinal samples when compared directly. ARV detection by RRT-PCR was compared with virus isolation and had similar sensitivity.