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Biomedical subjects

P Palese

Publications and source records attributed to P Palese.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Complete nucleotide sequence of the influenza A/PR/8/34 virus NS gene and comparison with the NS genes of the A/Udorn/72 and A/FPV/Rostock/34 strains.

The nucleotide sequence of the NS gene of the human influenza virus A/PR/8/34 was determined and found to be the same length (890 nucleotides) as the NS gene of another human influenza virus A/Udorn/72 and of the avian isolate A/FPV/Rostock/34. Comparison of the sequences of the NS genes of the two human influenza viruses shows an 8.9% difference whereas the NS gene of the avian isolate differs by only 8% from that of the human strain A/PR/8/34. The extensive sequence similarity among these three genes does not support the notion of species specific homology groups among NS genes of avian and human influenza virus strains. The primary sequence of the A/PR/8/34 NS gene is consistent with the findings that the influenza virus NS gene may code for two overlapping polypeptides. In addition, an open reading frame potentially coding for a polypeptide 167 amino acids in length was found in the negative strand RNA of the A/PR/8/34 virus NS gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic structure and genetic variation of influenza viruses.

The following contribution summarizes our most recent results concerning analysis of the influenza A, B and C virus genomes. In addition, we present data on the extent of genetic variation of H1N1 influenza viruses isolated during the months following the 1977 outbreak of H1N1 influenza in China and Russia. A detailed description of these results is published elsewhere.

Base Sequence↗

The 3' and 5'-terminal sequences of influenza A, B and C virus RNA segments are highly conserved and show partial inverted complementarity.

The 3'- and 5'-terminal nucleotides of the genome segments of an influenza A, B, and C virus were identified by directly sequencing viral RNA using two different sequencing techniques. A high degree of conservation at the 3' ends as well as at the 5' ends was observed among the genome segments of each virus and among the segments of the three different virus types. A uridine-rich region was observed from positions 17 through 22 at the 5' end of each segment. Moreover, the conserved 3' and 5'-terminal sequences showed partial and inverted complementarity. This feature results in very similar sequences at the 3' ends of the plus and minus strand RNAs and may also enable single-strand RNAs of influenza virus to form "panhandle" structures. Inverted complementary repeats may play an important role in initiation of viral RNA replication.

Base Sequence↗

Gene composition of high-yielding influenza vaccine strains obtained by recombination.

The genetic composition of 11 high-yielding recombinants of influenza virus was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 32P-labeled RNAs obtained from the recombinants and their parental viruses. The high-yield recombinants that were selected for potential use as vaccine strains contained the surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens of the low-yielding parental viruses. The increased growth capacity of the recombinants is associated with the presence of genes derived from the high-yielding laboratory strain A/Puerto Rico/8/34. Although increased growth capacity in these recombinants could not be attributed to specific genes or gene combinations, all of the high-yielding recombinants examined derived the M gene from the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 parent.

Animals↗

Evolution of human influenza A viruses in nature: sequential mutations in the genomes of new H1N1.

The genetic variation of the new pandemic H1N1 influenza A viruses isolated in 1977 was analyzed by two-dimensional oligonucleotide fingerprinting and RNA sequencing. Differences were observed in the fingerprints of the RNAs of these viruses, and analysis of the changes suggested that sequential mutations occurred in their genomes. Based on these data, a scheme is presented which proposes divergent evolution of strains from a common ancestry. Furthermore, it was found that mutations were not restricted to the genes coding for the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase, but were scattered throughout the genome, suggesting that selective antibody pressure is not solely responsible for the emergence of genetic variants. Our data also strengthen the hypothesis that the new H1N1 influenza virus strains are derived from strains circulating in 1950.

Antigens, Viral↗

Evolution of human influenza A viruses in nature: recombination contributes to genetic variation of H1N1 strains.

In June of 1977, a new influenza A pandemic was started by strains of the H1N1 serotype. Oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis of the RNA from viruses isolated during the early stage of this pandemic demonstrated that genetic variation among these 1977 strains could be attributed to sequential mutation [Young, J.F., Desselberger, U. & Palese, P. (1979) Cell, 18, 73-83]. Examination of more recent strains revealed that the H1N1 variants that were isolated in the winter of 1978-1979 differed considerably from the H1N1 viruses isolated the previous year. Oligonucleotide and peptide map analysis of the new prototype strain (A/Cal/10/78) suggested that it arose by recombination. It appears that only the HA, NA, M, and NS genes of this virus are derived from the earlier H1N1 viruses and that the P1, P2, P3, and NP genes most likely originate from an H3N2 parent. These data suggest that genetic variation in influenza virus strains of the same serotype is not restricted to mutation alone, but can also involve recombination (reassortment).

Antigens, Viral↗

Influenza B virus genome: assignment of viral polypeptides to RNA segments.

It was shown that all eight RNA segments of influenza B viruses are most likely monocistronic and code for eight virus-specific polypeptides. A genetic map of the influenza B virus genome was established, and six polypeptides (P1 protein, nucleoprotein, hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, M protein, and nonstructural protein) were unambiguously assigned to specific RNA segments. Molecular weight estimates of the eight individual genes are obtained by using the glyoxal method. These results suggest that each influenza B virus RNA segment has a greater molecular weight than the influenza A virus RNA segment which codes for the analogous gene product.

Genes, Viral↗

Isolation of influenza C virus recombinants.

Recombinants between two different influenza C viruses were isolated. In MDCK (canine kidney) cells, one strain, C/JJ/50, caused lytic plaques, whereas C/JHG/66 virus did not produce clear plaques. From a mixed infection of MDCK cells with C/JHG/66 virus and UV-inactivated C/JJ/50 virus, clones were isolated which possessed the clear-plaque phenotype. Fingerprint analyses indicated that the RNAs of parent viruses had different oligonucleotide patterns and that one of the clones derived from the mixed infection was formed by reassortment of parental genes. This recombinant clone most likely inherited RNAs 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 from C/JGH/66 virus and RNAs 4 and 5 from C/JJ/50 virus.

Animals↗

Biochemical evidence that "new" influenza virus strains in nature may arise by recombination (reassortment).

Oligonucleotide analysis of two avian influenza A viruses (Hav6N2 and Hav6Nav4) isolated in nature showed identical or almost identical patterns for the corresponding M and HA genes; 24 of 25 and 13 of 13 large oligonucleotides were indistinguishable by two-dimensional gel analysis. On the other hand, remarkable differences in the oligonucleotide patterns of the remaining genes were observed. Only 2 of 11 oligonucleotide spots of the NS gene, 10 of 27 spots of the NA/NP genes, and 22 of 49 spots of the P genes were indistinguishable between the two strains. On the basis of this observation that at least two genes of these viruses are virtually identical whereas others show easily detectable differences, we conclude that the two avian strains are related to each other by a recombinational event. In addition, it was found that animals in nature can be doubly infected with influenza viruses. Both lines of evidence strongly suggest that recombination is at least one mechanism by which "new" influenza virus strains emerge in nature.

Genes, Viral↗

Common sequence at the 5' ends of the segmented RNA genomes of influenza A and B viruses.

Guanylyl- and methyltransferases, isolated from purified vaccinia virus, were used to specifically label the 5' ends of the genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses. All eight segments were labeled with [alpha-(32)P]guanosine 5'-triphosphate or S-adenosyl[methyl-(3)H]methionine to form "cap" structures of the type m(7)G(5')pppN(m)-, of which unmethylated (p)ppN- represents the original 5' end. Further analyses indicated that m(7)G(5')pppA(m), m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGp, and m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGpUp were released from total and individual labeled RNA segments by digestion with nuclease P1, RNase T1, and RNase A, respectively. Consequently, the 5'-terminal sequences of most or all individual genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses were deduced to be (p)ppApGpUp. The presence of identical sequences at the ends of RNA segments of both types of influenza viruses indicates that they have been specifically conserved during evolution.

Base Sequence↗