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Okuwa T, Himeda T, Utani K, Higuchi M. Generation of a recombinant Saffold Virus expressing UnaG as a marker for the visualization of viral infection. Virol J 2023; 20:175. [PMID: 37550694 PMCID: PMC10408109 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02142-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saffold virus (SAFV), which belongs to the genus Cardiovirus of the family Picornaviridae, is associated with acute respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses in children; it is also suspected to cause severe diseases, such as acute flaccid paralysis and aseptic meningitis. However, the understanding of the mechanism of its pathogenicity is still limited due to the many unknowns about its lifecycle; for example, the cellular receptor for its infection remains to be determined. A system to monitor SAFV infection in vitro and in vivo is required in order to accelerate research on SAFV. RESULTS We generated a recombinant SAFV expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) or UnaG, a novel fluorescent protein derived from Japanese eel. HeLa cells infected by either GFP or UnaG-expressing SAFV showed a bright green fluorescent signal, enabling convenient monitoring of SAFV infection. However, the expression of GFP but not UnaG was quickly lost during virus passaging due to the difference in genetic stability in the SAFV virus genome; the UnaG gene was stably maintained in the virus genome after at least five passages. CONCLUSIONS SAFV infection of cultured cells can easily be monitored using UnaG-expressing SAFV, which is superior to GFP in terms of genetic stability in the virus genome. This virus could be a useful tool for SAFV research, such as comparing the susceptibility of various cells to SAFV infection and evaluating the effects of antivirals on SAFV infection in high-throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Okuwa
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Toshiki Himeda
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Koichi Utani
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Masaya Higuchi
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan.
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Ao Y, Xu J, Duan Z. A novel cardiovirus species identified in feces of wild Himalayan marmots. Infect Genet Evol 2022; 103:105347. [PMID: 35932998 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recently a growing number of novel cardioviruses have been frequently discovered, which boosts interest in the search for the genetic diversity of cardioviruses. However, wild-marmot cardioviruses have been rarely reported. Here, a novel cardiovirus (tentatively named HHMCDV) was identified in fecal samples from wild Himalayan marmots in Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China, by viral metagenomics analysis. 3 out of 99 fecal samples from Himalayan marmots were positive for HHMCDV, with the viral loads ranging from 2.7 × 105 to 1.3 × 107 gene copies/g. The complete genomic sequence of HHMCDV was 8108 nucleotides in length, with the typical cardiovirus genome organization and motifs. Coincidentally, while the data was analyzing, one marmot cardiovirus HT7 partial sequence was available in the Genbank, showing 95.1%, 95.6% and 96.0% amino acid (aa) identity in P1, P2 and P3, respectively. However, sequence analysis revealed that HHMCDV and HT7 are more closely related to species Cardiovirus F strain with 65.7%, 61.9-65.6%, 58.9-59.7%, 71.1-71.7%, 69.1-69.4% and 71.4-72.2% aa identity in polyprotein, P1, P2, P3, 2C and 3CD proteins, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of P1, P2, P3 and 3CD aa sequences indicated that HHMCDV and HT7 clustered tightly and formed a distinct cluster in the Cardiovirus genus. Based on these data, we propose that HHMCDV and HT7 should be two different members of a potential novel species within the genus Cardiovirus. Further studies are needed to investigate the epidemiology and potential pathogenicity of the virus in Himalayan marmots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyun Ao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai 201102, China; National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai 201102, China; Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
| | - Zhaojun Duan
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
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Penza V, Russell SJ, Schulze AJ. The long-lasting enigma of polycytidine (polyC) tract. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009739. [PMID: 34347852 PMCID: PMC8336851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long polycytidine (polyC) tracts varying in length from 50 to 400 nucleotides were first described in the 5'-noncoding region (NCR) of genomes of picornaviruses belonging to the Cardio- and Aphthovirus genera over 50 years ago, but the molecular basis of their function is still unknown. Truncation or complete deletion of the polyC tracts in picornaviruses compromises virulence and pathogenicity but do not affect replicative fitness in vitro, suggesting a role as "viral security" RNA element. The evidence available suggests that the presence of a long polyC tract is required for replication in immune cells, which impacts viral distribution and targeting, and, consequently, pathogenic progression. Viral attenuation achieved by reduction of the polyC tract length has been successfully used for vaccine strategies. Further elucidation of the role of the polyC tract in viral replication cycle and its connection with replication in immune cells has the potential to expand the arsenal of tools in the fight against cancer in oncolytic virotherapy (OV). Here, we review the published data on the biological significance and mechanisms of action of the polyC tract in viral pathogenesis in Cardio- and Aphthoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velia Penza
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Russell
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Autumn J. Schulze
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
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Vandesande H, Edman K, Rondahl E, Falkeborn T, Serrander L, Lindberg AM. Saffold virus infection in elderly people with acute gastroenteritis in Sweden. J Med Virol 2021; 93:3980-3984. [PMID: 32827319 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Viral gastroenteritis is a major source of morbidity and mortality, predominantly caused by so-called NOROAD viruses (norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus). In approximately onethird of all cases, however, the exact etiology is unknown. The in 2007 discovered human cardiovirus Saffold virus (SAFV) may prove to be a plausible candidate to explain this diagnostic gap. This virus, a member of the Picornaviridae family which is closely related to the murine viruses Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus and Theravirus, is a widespread pathogen and causes infection early in life. Screening of 238 fecal or vomitus samples obtained from NOROAD-negative, elderly patients with acute gastroenteritis at the University Hospital of Linköping showed that SAFV is present in low abundance (4.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 gene revealed a Swedish isolate belonging to the highly common and in Europe widespread SAFV-3 genotype. This genotype is also related to previously reported Asian strains. This study describes the first molecular typing of a Swedish SAFV isolate and is the first report to document the circulation of SAFV among elderly people. The pathogenicity of SAFV is, as of yet, still under debate; further studies are necessary to determine its role in the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Vandesande
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Kjell Edman
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Elin Rondahl
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tina Falkeborn
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lena Serrander
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - A Michael Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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López GR, Martinez LM, Freyre L, Freire MC, Vladimirsky S, Rabossi A, Cisterna DM. Persistent Detection of Cosavirus and Saffold Cardiovirus in Riachuelo River, Argentina. Food Environ Virol 2021; 13:64-73. [PMID: 33165867 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-020-09451-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cosaviruses (CoSV) and Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV) are novel members of the Picornaviridae family. The Matanza-Riachuelo river basin covers a total area of 2200 km2 with approximately 60 km long. Its last section is called Riachuelo River. The aim of this study was to describe the circulation of both picornaviruses and their relationship with the environmental situation of the Riachuelo River using 274 samples collected from 2005 to 2015. CoSV and SAFV were investigated in samples available by two periods: 2005-2006 and 2014-2015 (103 and 101, respectively). Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters confirmed very high levels of human fecal contamination during the 11 years evaluated. CoSV was detected in 85.7% (66/77) and 65.4% (17/26) of the samples collected in 2005-2006 and 2014-2015 periods, respectively. Species A and D were identified, the first one being widely predominant: 74.1% (20/27) and 75.0% (3/4) in both periods. SAFV virus was detected in 47.1% (32/68) and 52.6% (10/19) in periods 2005-2006 and 2014-2015, respectively. SAFV-6 was the most identified genotype in the entire study, while SAFV-3 was predominant in 2005-2006. The contribution of genotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8 was minor. The high prevalence of CoSV and SAFV suggests that both viruses have been circulating in Argentina at least since 2005. Our results show that a watercourse with high rates of human fecal contamination can become a persistent source of new viruses which capacity to produce human diseases is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Riviello López
- Prefectura Naval Argentina, Av. Eduardo Madero 235 (1106ACC), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Leila Marina Martinez
- Departamento de Virología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran", Av. Velez Sarsfield 563 (1282AFF), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Freyre
- Prefectura Naval Argentina, Av. Eduardo Madero 235 (1106ACC), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Freire
- Departamento de Virología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran", Av. Velez Sarsfield 563 (1282AFF), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sara Vladimirsky
- Departamento de Virología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran", Av. Velez Sarsfield 563 (1282AFF), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Rabossi
- IIBBA-CONICET and FIL, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435 (1405BWE), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Marcelo Cisterna
- Departamento de Virología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran", Av. Velez Sarsfield 563 (1282AFF), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Aminipour M, Ghaderi M, Harzandi N. First Occurrence of Saffold Virus in Sewage and River Water Samples in Karaj, Iran. Food Environ Virol 2020; 12:75-80. [PMID: 31729639 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-019-09415-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Saffold virus as a newly discovered virus, which seems to be related to acute gastroenteritis as with other enteric viruses and to human airway diseases in children belongs to Cardiovirus genus in picornaviridae family with 11 genotypes. Saffold virus initially was detected in America from infant stool sample. Saffold virus has also been detected in environmental water samples. Until now, two reports have demonstrated that sewage water sources are contaminated with Saffold viruses. Molecular detection of Saffold virus mostly depended on reverse transcription PCR methods and RT-qPCR, which had targeted 5'UTR region of the viral genome. The present study aims to evaluate the molecular detection and quantity of Saffold virus in sewage water and river water specimens by RT-qPCR assay in Karaj, Iran. Fifty samples collected from environmental waters containing treated and untreated sewage water and river water samples were included in this study. After viral RNA extraction, the Real-time PCR was developed to amplify the 5'UTR sequence of Saffold virus genome and viral load was assessed. Out of the 50 samples tested (consisting 28 river water samples and 22 sewage water samples), the Saffold virus genomic RNA was identified in 10/28 (35.7%) of river water samples and in 4/12 (33.3%) of treated and 4/10 (40%) of untreated sewage samples. The maximum viral load was 6.8 × 106 copies/l in untreated sewage water sample in December, and the lower viral load was 1.2 × 106 copies/l related to treated sewage water taken in October. Our results for the first time indicate that Saffold virus has apparently been circulating among Iranian peoples. Also, the viral prevalence of Saffold virus in each of the three sets of tested samples was within moderate to high in range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Aminipour
- Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mostafa Ghaderi
- Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Naser Harzandi
- Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
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Abstract
Several viruses encounter various bacterial species within the host and in the environment. Despite these close encounters, the effects of bacteria on picornaviruses are not completely understood. Previous work determined that poliovirus (PV), an enteric virus, has enhanced virion stability when exposed to bacteria or bacterial surface polysaccharides such as lipopolysaccharide. Virion stabilization by bacteria may be important for interhost transmission, since a mutant PV with reduced bacterial binding had a fecal-oral transmission defect in mice. Therefore, we investigated whether bacteria broadly enhance stability of picornaviruses from three different genera: Enterovirus (PV and coxsackievirus B3 [CVB3]), Kobuvirus (Aichi virus), and Cardiovirus (mengovirus). Furthermore, to delineate strain-specific effects, we examined two strains of CVB3 and a PV mutant with enhanced thermal stability. We determined that specific bacterial strains enhance thermal stability of PV and CVB3, while mengovirus and Aichi virus are stable at high temperatures in the absence of bacteria. Additionally, we determined that bacteria or lipopolysaccharide can stabilize PV, CVB3, Aichi virus, and mengovirus during exposure to bleach. These effects are likely mediated through direct interactions with bacteria, since viruses bound to bacteria in a pulldown assay. Overall, this work reveals shared and distinct effects of bacteria on a panel of picornaviruses.IMPORTANCE Recent studies have shown that bacteria promote infection and stabilization of poliovirus particles, but the breadth of these effects on other members of the Picornaviridae family is unknown. Here, we compared the effects of bacteria on four distinct members of the Picornaviridae family. We found that bacteria reduced inactivation of all of the viruses during bleach treatment, but not all viral strains were stabilized by bacteria during heat treatment. Overall, our data provide insight into how bacteria play differential roles in picornavirus stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Aguilera
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Y Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jun Sasaki
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Julie K Pfeiffer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Tan SZK, Chua KB, Xu Y, Prabakaran M. The Pathogenesis of Saffold Virus in AG129 Mice and the Effects of Its Truncated L Protein in the Central Nervous System. Viruses 2016; 8:v8020024. [PMID: 26901216 PMCID: PMC4776182 DOI: 10.3390/v8020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffold Virus (SAFV) is a human cardiovirus that has been suggested to cause severe infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Compared to a similar virus, Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), SAFV has a truncated Leader (L) protein, a protein essential in the establishment of persistent CNS infections. In this study, we generated a chimeric SAFV by replacing the L protein of SAFV with that of TMEV. We then compared the replication in cell cultures and pathogenesis in a mouse model. We showed that both SAFV and chimeric SAFV are able to infect Vero and Neuro2a cells well, but only chimeric SAFV was able to infect RAW264.7. We then showed that mice lacking IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptors provide a good animal model for SAFV infection, and further identified the locality of the infection to the ventral horn of the spine and several locations in the brain. Lastly, we showed that neither SAFV nor chimeric SAFV causes persistence in this model. Overall, our results provide a strong basis on which the mechanisms underlying Saffold virus induced neuropathogenesis can be further studied and, hence, facilitating new information about its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Zheng Kai Tan
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
| | - Kaw Bing Chua
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
| | - Yishi Xu
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
| | - Mookkan Prabakaran
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
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Ren L, Xiao Y, Li J, Chen L, Zhang J, Vernet G, Wang J. Multiple genomic recombination events in the evolution of saffold cardiovirus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74947. [PMID: 24086404 PMCID: PMC3781130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV) is a new human cardiovirus with 11 identified genotypes. Little is known about the natural history and pathogenicity of SAFVs. Methodology/Principal Findings We sequenced the genome of five SAFV-1 strains which were identified from fecal samples taken from children with viral diarrhea in Beijing, China between March 2006 and November 2007, and analyzed the phylogenetic and phylodynamic properties of SAFVs using the genome sequences of every known SAFV genotypes. We identified multiple recombination events in our SAFV-1 strains, specifically recombination between SAFV-2, -3, -4, -9, -10 and the prototype SAFV-1 strain in the VP4 region and recombination between SAFV-4, -6, -8, -10, -11 and prototype SAFV-1 in the VP1/2A region. Notably, recombination in the structural gene VP4 is a rare event in Cardiovirus. The ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions to synonymous substitutions indicates a purifying selection of the SAFV genome. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analysis indicates the existence of at least two subclades of SAFV-1 with different origins. Subclade 1 includes two strains isolated from Pakistan, whereas subclade 2 includes the prototype strain and strains isolated in China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The most recent common ancestor of all SAFV genotypes dates to the 1710s, and SAFV-1, -2, and -3 to the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, respectively. No obvious relationship between variation and pathogenicity exists in the critical domains of the CD and EF loops of viral capsid proteins or the multi-functional proteins L based on animo acid sequence identity comparison between SAFV genotypes. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that intertypic recombination plays an important role in the diversity of SAFVs, highlighting the diversity of the five strains with the previously described SAFV-1 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Ren
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yan Xiao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jianguo Li
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lan Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | | | - Jianwei Wang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Dr. Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, CAMS-Fondation Mérieux, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
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Khamrin P, Chaimongkol N, Nantachit N, Okitsu S, Ushijima H, Maneekarn N. Saffold cardioviruses in children with diarrhea, Thailand. Emerg Infect Dis 2011; 17:1150-2. [PMID: 21749802 DOI: 10.3201/eid/1706.101983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Tsukagoshi H, Mizuta K, Abiko C, Itagaki T, Yoshizumi M, Kobayashi M, Kuroda M, Kozawa K, Noda M, Ryo A, Kimura H. The impact of Saffold cardiovirus in patients with acute respiratory infections in Yamagata, Japan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 43:669-71. [PMID: 21428851 DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2011.565796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Zhou QH, Zhang B, Xie ZP, Gao HC, Guo MW, Zhang F, Yan KL, Zhang RF, Zhang J, Cao CQ, Duan ZJ. [The research of saffold virus in children with lower respiratory tract infection in Changsha]. Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi 2011; 25:8-10. [PMID: 21789842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate prevalence of Saffold virus (SAFV) in Changsha area of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection, and to discuss whether this virus is related to respiratory tract infection of children. METHODS 643 nasopharyngeal aspirates samples were collected from hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection of the first affiliated hospital of Hunan nomal university during Nov. 2007 to Oct. 2008. Real-time fluorescent quanti-tative PCR(FQ-PCR) performed to screen the 5'UTR gene. And then analyze clinical data. RESULTS SAFV were detected in 67 patients (10.42%) out of the 643 children, it was not detected over 5 years of age. The virus were detected in 8 patients (25.81%) out of the 31 children with persistent pneumonia and chronic pneumonia, there was statistically significant. CONCLUSION There existed SAFV infection in hospitalized children with lower respiratory infection in Changsha area; SAFV maybe related to disease onset with lower respiratory tract infection of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong-hua Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Nomal University, Changsha 410000, China
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Tsukagoshi H, Masuda Y, Mizutani T, Mizuta K, Saitoh M, Morita Y, Nishina A, Kozawa K, Noda M, Ryo A, Kimura H. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV) genotype 3 isolates from children with upper respiratory infection in Gunma, Japan. Jpn J Infect Dis 2010; 63:378-380. [PMID: 20859011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Tsukagoshi
- Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, Gunma 371-0052, Japan.
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Svraka S, Rosario K, Duizer E, van der Avoort H, Breitbart M, Koopmans M. Metagenomic sequencing for virus identification in a public-health setting. J Gen Virol 2010; 91:2846-56. [PMID: 20660148 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.024612-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of metagenomics for virus discovery in clinical samples has opened new opportunities for understanding the aetiology of unexplained illness. This study explores the potential of this sequence-independent approach in a public-health setting, by systematic analysis of samples cultured from patients with unexplained illness through a combination of PCR-based assays and viral metagenomics. In total, 1834 cell-culture isolates were collected between 1994 and 2007 through the Enterovirus Surveillance programme in the Netherlands. During the 13 year period, seven samples that exhibited reproducible cytopathogenic effects in cell culture tested negative in standard PCR assays for a range of viruses. In order to fill the diagnostic gap, viral metagenomics was applied to these culture supernatants, resulting in the rapid identification of viruses in all of the samples. The unexplained samples contained BK polyomavirus, herpes simplex virus, Newcastle disease virus and the recently discovered Saffold viruses (SAFV) (which dominated the unexplained samples; n=4). The full genomic sequences of four SAFV genotype 3 (SAFV-3) viruses, which share 88-93 % nucleotide identity with known SAFV-3 viruses, are reported. Further screening for SAFV in additional cultured, unidentified clinical isolates from 2008 and 2009 resulted in identification of another SAFV-positive sample. Although the pathogenicity of the identified viruses has not been established, this study demonstrates that viral metagenomics is a powerful tool that can be integrated into public-health monitoring efforts to investigate unidentified viruses in cell cultures from clinical isolates where standard PCR assays fail to detect viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanela Svraka
- Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Perinatal Screening, Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Blinkova O, Rosario K, Li L, Kapoor A, Slikas B, Bernardin F, Breitbart M, Delwart E. Frequent detection of highly diverse variants of cardiovirus, cosavirus, bocavirus, and circovirus in sewage samples collected in the United States. J Clin Microbiol 2009; 47:3507-13. [PMID: 19794058 PMCID: PMC2772610 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01062-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2009] [Revised: 08/09/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Untreated sewage samples from 12 cities in the United States were screened for the presence of recently characterized RNA and DNA viruses found at high prevalence in the stool specimens of South Asian children. Genetic variants of human cosaviruses and cardioviruses in the Picornaviridae family and of DNA circoviruses and human bocaviruses were detected, expanding the known genetic diversity and geographic range of these newly identified viruses. All four virus groups were detected in sewage samples of less than a milliliter from multiple U.S. cities. PCR screening of particle-protected viral nucleic acid in sewage samples could therefore rapidly establish the presence and determine the diversity of four newly described enteric viruses in large urban populations. More frequent and deeper sampling of viral nucleic acids in sewage samples could be used to monitor changes in the prevalence and genetic composition of these and other novel enteric viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Blinkova
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - K. Rosario
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - L. Li
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - A. Kapoor
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - B. Slikas
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - F. Bernardin
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - M. Breitbart
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - E. Delwart
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida
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Zoll J, Erkens Hulshof S, Lanke K, Verduyn Lunel F, Melchers WJG, Schoondermark-van de Ven E, Roivainen M, Galama JMD, van Kuppeveld FJM. Saffold virus, a human Theiler's-like cardiovirus, is ubiquitous and causes infection early in life. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000416. [PMID: 19412527 PMCID: PMC2670511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 04/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Picornaviridae contains well-known human pathogens (e.g., poliovirus, coxsackievirus, rhinovirus, and parechovirus). In addition, this family contains a number of viruses that infect animals, including members of the genus Cardiovirus such as Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and Theiler's murine encephalomyelits virus (TMEV). The latter are important murine pathogens that cause myocarditis, type 1 diabetes and chronic inflammation in the brains, mimicking multiple sclerosis. Recently, a new picornavirus was isolated from humans, named Saffold virus (SAFV). The virus is genetically related to Theiler's virus and classified as a new species in the genus Cardiovirus, which until the discovery of SAFV did not contain human viruses. By analogy with the rodent cardioviruses, SAFV may be a relevant new human pathogen. Thus far, SAFVs have sporadically been detected by molecular techniques in respiratory and fecal specimens, but the epidemiology and clinical significance remained unclear. Here we describe the first cultivated SAFV type 3 (SAFV-3) isolate, its growth characteristics, full-length sequence, and epidemiology. Unlike the previously isolated SAFV-1 and -2 viruses, SAFV-3 showed efficient growth in several cell lines with a clear cytopathic effect. The latter allowed us to conduct a large-scale serological survey by a virus-neutralization assay. This survey showed that infection by SAFV-3 occurs early in life (>75% positive at 24 months) and that the seroprevalence reaches >90% in older children and adults. Neutralizing antibodies were found in serum samples collected in several countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. In conclusion, this study describes the first cultivated SAFV-3 isolate, its full-length sequence, and epidemiology. SAFV-3 is a highly common and widespread human virus causing infection in early childhood. This finding has important implications for understanding the impact of these ubiquitous viruses and their possible role in acute and/or chronic disease. Recently, a new picornavirus was isolated from humans, named Saffold virus (SAFV). Picornaviruses are small RNA viruses with poliovirus as prototype. Saffold virus is genetically related to Theiler's virus, a member of the Cardiovirus genus, which until this recent discovery did not contain human viruses. Theiler's virus is an important mouse pathogen that causes chronic inflammation in the brains, closely resembling multiple sclerosis in humans. By analogy, SAFV may be a relevant human pathogen. Thus far, SAFVs have been sporadically detected by molecular techniques in respiratory and fecal specimens, but the epidemiology and clinical significance have remained unclear. Here we describe the first SAFV type 3 (SAFV-3) isolate, its growth characteristics in cell lines, full-length RNA-sequence, and epidemiology. Unlike the previously isolated SAFV-1 and SAFV-2, SAFV-3 grows well in cell lines, resulting in cell damage. This feature enabled us to conduct a large-scale serological survey for virus-neutralizing antibodies. This survey showed that SAFV-3 infection occurs early in life and that >90% of children >2 years and adults had antibodies. Neutralizing antibodies were found in serum samples collected in several countries in three continents. Hence, we concluded that SAFV-3 is a genuine and widespread human virus causing infection early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Zoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Erkens Hulshof
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Verduyn Lunel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem J. G. Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Merja Roivainen
- Enterovirus Laboratory, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jochem M. D. Galama
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (JMDG); (FJMvK)
| | - Frank J. M. van Kuppeveld
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (JMDG); (FJMvK)
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de Bruyn PJN, Bastos ADS, Eadie C, Tosh CA, Bester MN. Mass mortality of adult male subantarctic fur seals: are alien mice the culprits? PLoS One 2008; 3:e3757. [PMID: 19018284 PMCID: PMC2582944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2008] [Accepted: 10/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass mortalities of marine mammals due to infectious agents are increasingly reported. However, in contrast to previous die-offs, which were indiscriminate with respect to sex and age, here we report a land-based mass mortality of Subantarctic fur seals with apparent exclusivity to adult males. An infectious agent with a male-predilection is the most plausible explanation for this die-off. Although pathogens with gender-biased transmission and pathologies are unusual, rodents are known sources of male-biased infectious agents and the invasive Mus musculus house mouse, occurs in seal rookeries. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Molecular screening for male-biased pathogens in this potential rodent reservoir host revealed the absence of Cardiovirus and Leptospirosis genomes in heart and kidney samples, respectively, but identified a novel Streptococcus species with 30% prevalence in mouse kidneys. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE Inter-species transmission through environmental contamination with this novel bacterium, whose congenerics display male-bias and have links to infirmity in seals and terrestrial mammals (including humans), highlights the need to further evaluate disease risks posed by alien invasive mice to native species, on this and other islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Nico de Bruyn
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Abstract
Theiler's virus and Mengo virus are representatives of the Cardiovirus genus within the picornavirus family. Their genome is an 8-kilobase long positive strand RNA molecule. This RNA molecule plays three roles in infected cells: It serves as a messenger RNA, acts as a template for genome replication, and is encapsidated to form progeny virions. We observed that a cis-acting signal required for replication of Theiler's virus was contained within a 130-nt stretch of the region encoding the capsid protein VP2. This RNA sequence does not influence internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation initiation and thus likely acts directly as a signal for the replication complex. We found a similar signal in the VP2-coding sequence of Mengo virus, and both signals could be functionally exchanged. Within the replication element, a 9-nt sequence that is highly conserved among cardioviruses was shown to be essential for replication. This conserved sequence was contained in mostly unpaired regions of the RNA secondary structure predicted for the replication elements of the various cardioviruses. Interestingly, a similar replication element has been reported to occur in the distantly related human rhinovirus type 14, suggesting that such elements could be conserved throughout the picornavirus family. However, the different location of the replication elements in rhinovirus and cardioviruses, and the fact that they were not functionally exchangeable, is raising intriguing questions about the evolution of such signals in picornaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Lobert
- Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology, Université catholique de Louvain, Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, MIPA-VIRO 74-49, 74 avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
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Kaminski A, Jackson RJ. The polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) requirement for internal initiation of translation of cardiovirus RNAs is conditional rather than absolute. RNA 1998; 4:626-38. [PMID: 9622122 PMCID: PMC1369645 DOI: 10.1017/s1355838298971898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Picornavirus RNAs are translated by an unusual mechanism of internal ribosome entry that requires a substantial segment of the viral 5'-untranslated region, generally known as the internal ribosome entry segment (IRES), and in some circumstances may require cellular trans-acting proteins, particularly polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB). It is shown here that for encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), the PTB dependence of IRES function in vitro is determined partly by the nature of the reporter cistron, and more especially by the size of an A-rich bulge in the IRES. With a wild-type EMCV IRES (which has a bulge of 6 As), translation is effectively independent of PTB provided the IRES is driving the synthesis of EMCV viral polyprotein. With an enlarged (7A) bulge and heterologous reporters, translation is highly dependent on PTB. Intermediate levels of PTB dependence are seen with a 7A bulge IRES driving viral polyprotein synthesis or a wild-type (6A) bulge IRES linked to a heterologous reporter. None of these parameters influenced the binding of PTB to the high-affinity site in the IRES. These results argue that PTB is not an essential and universal internal initiation factor, but, rather, that when it is required, its binding to the IRES helps to maintain the appropriate higher-order structure and to reverse distortions caused, for example, by an enlarged A-rich bulge.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kaminski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Mueller S, Wimmer E. Expression of foreign proteins by poliovirus polyprotein fusion: analysis of genetic stability reveals rapid deletions and formation of cardioviruslike open reading frames. J Virol 1998; 72:20-31. [PMID: 9420196 PMCID: PMC109345 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.72.1.20-31.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Using a strategy developed by R. Andino, D. Silvera, S. D. Suggett, P. I. Achacoso, C. J. Miller, D. Baltimore, and M. B. Feinberg (Science 265:1448-1451, 1994), we constructed recombinant polioviruses by fusing the open reading frame (ORF) of the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) of Aequorea victoria or the gag gene (encoding p17-p24) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to the N terminus of the poliovirus polyprotein. All poliovirus expression vectors constructed by us and those obtained from Andino et al. were found to be severely impaired in viral replication and genetically unstable. Upon replication, inserted sequences were rapidly deleted as early as the first growth cycle in HeLa cells. However, the vector viruses did not readily revert to the wild-type sequence but rather retained some of the insert plus the artificial 3Cpro/3CDpro cleavage site, engineered between the heterologous sequence and the poliovirus polyprotein, to give rise to genotypes reminiscent of cardioviruses. These virus variants that carry a small leader polypeptide were now relatively stable, and they grew better than their progenitor strains. Reverse transcription followed by PCR and sequence analysis of the genomic RNAs reproducibly revealed a few preferred genotypes among the isolated deletion variants. The remaining truncated inserts were retained through subsequent passages. In the immediate vicinity of the deletion borders, we observed short direct sequence repeats that we propose are involved in aligning RNA strands for illegitimate (nonhomologous) RNA recombination during minus-strand synthesis. On the basis of our results, which are at variance with published data, the utility of poliovirus vectors to express proteins > 10 kDa in size through fusion with the polyprotein needs to be reevaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mueller
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11794, USA.
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Wutz G, Auer H, Nowotny N, Grosse B, Skern T, Kuechler E. Equine rhinovirus serotypes 1 and 2: relationship to each other and to aphthoviruses and cardioviruses. J Gen Virol 1996; 77 ( Pt 8):1719-30. [PMID: 8760418 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-77-8-1719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine rhinoviruses (ERVs) are picornaviruses which cause a mild respiratory infection in horses. The illness resembles the common cold brought about by rhinoviruses in humans; however, the presence of a viraemia during ERV-1 infection, the occurrence of persistent infections and the physical properties are all more reminiscent of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). cDNA cloning and sequencing of the genomes of ERV-1 and ERV-2 between the poly(C) and poly(A) tracts showed that the serotypes are heterogeneous. Nevertheless, the genomic architecture of both serotypes is most similar to that of FMDV. Indeed, a comparison of the derived protein sequences of ERV-1 shows that their identity is greatest to FMDV. In contrast, most ERV-2 proteins are more related to encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) proteins than they are to FMDV or ERV-1. These results place ERV-1 alongside FMDV in the aphthovirus genus of the picornavirus family and indicate that this virus may serve as a model system for examining the biology of FMDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wutz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
Mengovirus is a prototypical member of the cardiovirus genus of the family Picornaviridae. The positive-strand RNA genome is 7761 bases in length and encodes a polyprotein of 2293 amino acids. The 5' non-coding region (758 bases) contains an unusual homopolymeric poly(C) tract, which in the wild-type virus, has a sequence of C50UC10. We have discovered through genetic engineering that truncation or deletion of this poly(C) sequence yields infectious virus isolates that grow well in cell culture, but are 10(6) to 10(9) fold less pathogenic to mice than the wild type strain. Animals receiving sublethal doses of the short poly(C) strains characteristically develop high levels of neutralizing antibodies and acquire lifelong protective immunity against challenge with wild type virus. Effectively, the genetically engineered strains are superb vaccines against cardiovirus disease. Moreover, their potential is not limited to murine hosts. Pigs and sub-human primates have also been protectively vaccinated with short poly(C) tract Mengoviruses. The molecular mechanism of poly(C)-mediated pathogenesis is currently under study. Most hypotheses link the activity to induction of the antiviral cytokine, interferon.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Palmenberg
- Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin Madison
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Abstract
Cardiovirus specific sequences located in the 5' NTR are used to amplify viral RNA by PCR. General primers were selected for the amplification of cardioviruses, including encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), mengovirus and Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV. Additionally, ECHO virus type 22, an atypical enterovirus, could also be detected with the general cardiovirus primers. An internal encephalomyocarditis virus specific probe and a general cardiovirus probe are used to discriminate EMCV from other cardioviruses. The sensitivity of the PCR was determined at 10 pfu after hybridization with an internal oligonucleotide probe. Specificity was tested with a broad range of picornaviruses and other nonrelated RNA and DNA viruses. The applicability of the assay was demonstrated by the detection of TMEV RNA in tissue samples from experimentally-infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zoll
- University of Nijmegen, Department of Medical Microbiology, The Netherlands
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