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Molecular cloning and sequencing of the La Crosse virus S RNA.

Complete double-stranded DNA copies of the La Crosse virus (LAC) S genome have been synthesized and cloned into plasmid pBR322. The cloned genome was characterized and sequenced. The LAC S genome consisted of 981 nucleotides and contained two overlapping open reading frames. The first reading frame begins at nucleotide 82 and encodes a protein of 235 amino acids. A polypeptide of 92 amino acids can be translated in a +1 reading frame 16 nucleotides downstream from the start of the first reading frame. This second reading frame is initiated with two AUG codons followed by the serine codon UCG, the same serine codon which immediately follows the AUG of the first reading frame.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Viruses in fungi and eukaryotic algae: their possible origins and evolution.

It now seems that isometric viruses isolated from higher fungi contain double-stranded RNA whereas those from the primitive lower fungi and eukaryotic algae possess double-stranded DNA. The possible origins and evolution of the viruses are discussed on the basis of their biological and morphological features.

Biological Evolution↗

Stability and extractability of double-stranded RNA of pangola stunt and sugarcane Fiji disease viruses in dried plant tissues.

When leaves infected with pangola stunt virus (PaSV) were dried at 23, 37, 50, 70 or 105 degrees C, the dsRNA was stable and could be extracted after aerobic storage at room temperature for 1 month, although at 105 degrees C the amount obtained was reduced. The dsRNA was also recovered after leaves were freeze dried and stored in vacuo at room temperature for 6 months, or were dried and stored aerobically at room temperature for 10.5 months. dsRNA of sugarcane Fiji disease virus (FDV) was also stable when infected leaves were dried at 23, 37, 50 or 105 degrees C and stored aerobically for 3 months or for at least 6 months when infected leaves were dried at 70 degrees C. The unexpected high stability and extractability of both PaSV and FDV dsRNA when dried in leaves at low or high temperatures and stored at room temperature indicate that these, and probably other plant-infecting reoviruses, can be transported readily in desiccated host tissue between different countries for later extraction and comparison of their dsRNAs.

Desiccation↗

The characterization and molecular cloning of the double-stranded RNA genome of an Australian strain of infectious bursal disease virus.

The genome of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain 002-73 was found to consist of two segments of double-stranded (ds) RNA which were 3400 bp (MW 2.06 X 10(6)) and 2900 bp (MW 1.76 X 10(6)) long, respectively. The ds IBDV RNA could be translated, in vitro, only after extensive denaturation. The small RNA segment was found to code for a single polypeptide of MW 90K, while the large RNA segment coded for three major polypeptides of MW 52K, 32K, and 28K, and two minor polypeptides of MW 41K and 16K. The large RNA segment could encode proteins of MW 125K while the MW of the translated products was 169K suggesting that a precursor-product relationship exists between some of the translation products. A method is described for the synthesis of ds cDNA from large ds RNA molecules. Analyses of recombinant colonies showed that inserts covering the entire IBDV genome had been cloned.

Animals↗

Semliki Forest virus capsid protein inhibits the initiation of translation by upregulating the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR).

We investigated the possible translational role which elevated concentrations of highly purified Semliki Forest virus (SFV) capsid (C)-protein molecules may play in a cell-free translation system. Here we demonstrate that in the absence of double-stranded RNA high concentrations of C protein triggered the phosphorylation of the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, PKR. Activated PKR in turn phosphorylated its natural substrate, the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2), thereby inhibiting initiation of host cell translation. These findings were further strengthened by experiments showing that during natural infection with SFV the maximum phosphorylation of PKR coincided with the maximum synthesis of C protein 4-9 hours post infection. Thus, our results demonstrate that high concentrations of C-protein molecules may act in a hitherto novel mechanism on PKR to inhibit host cell protein synthesis during viral infection.

Capsid↗

In vitro transcription of the double-stranded RNA genome of maize rough dwarf virus (Reoviridae).

An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase associated with particles of maize rough dwarf virus, a Fijivirus, was characterized using two in vitro assays differing in their energy regeneration systems. Optimum reaction rates occurred at pH 8.0 to 8.5 at 20 degrees C. The presence of virus and Mn2+ or Mg2+ was essential for enzyme activity; Mn2+ stimulated more incorporation events than Mg2+, at optimum concentrations of 2 to 4 mM and 4 mM, respectively. Incorporation was not affected by alpha-amanitin, actinomycin D or rifampicin. The products synthesized in vitro were single-stranded RNAs which hybridized specifically with the double-stranded genomic RNAs of five other reoviruses. The in vitro transcripts were also used to detect maize rough dwarf virus RNA in plants and in vector insects.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗

Secondary structures of influenza and Sendai Virus RNAs.

The secondary structures of influenza and Sendai virus RNAs were investigated by thermal denaturation, circular dichroism and proflavine binding methods. In 0.1 M NaCl about 60% of the bases of both RNAs were involved in secondary structure. The melting temperatures (Tm) of both viral RNAs were linear functions of the logarithm of the sodium ion concentration in solution, but under all ionic conditions the melting temperatures of Sendai virus RNA were higher than those of influenza virus RNA. At all ionic strengths the melting range of Sendai virus RNA was less than influenza virus RNA, indicating that the helical regions in Sendai virus RNA were longer than those in influenza virus RNA. Although Sendai virus RNA had a higher thermal stability than influenza virus RNA, hyperchromicity and circular dichroism data showed that Sendai virus RNA had less G+C content (34%) within the double stranded regions than influenza virus RNA (48%). The binding isotherms of Sendai and influenza virus RNA-proflavine complexes were studied at different ionic strengths. The number of binding sites of proflavine with influenza virus RNA were significantly lower than those with Sendai virus RNA. These results demonstrate the essential difference between the secondary and tertiary structures of the RNAs under study.

Base Composition↗

The [KIL-d] cytoplasmic genetic element of yeast results in epigenetic regulation of viral M double-stranded RNA gene expression.

[KIL-d] is a cytoplasmically inherited genetic trait that causes killer virus-infected cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to express the normal killer phenotypes in a/alpha cells, but to show variegated defective killer phenotypes in a or alpha type cells. Mating of [KIL-d] haploids results in "healing" of their phenotypic defects, while meiosis of the resulting diploids results in "resetting" of the variegated, but mitotically stable, defects. We show that [KIL-d] does not reside on the double-stranded RNA genome of killer virus. Thus, the [KIL-d] effect on viral gene expression is epigenetic in nature. Resetting requires nuclear events of meiosis, since [KIL-d] can be cytoplasmically transmitted during cytoduction without causing defects in killer virus expression. Subsequently, mating of these cytoductants followed by meiosis generates spore clones expressing variegated defective phenotypes. Cytoduction of wild-type cytoplasm into a phenotypically defective [KIL-d] haploid fails to heal, nor does simultaneous or sequential expression of both MAT alleles cause healing. Thus, healing is not triggered by the appearance of heterozygosity at the MAT locus, but rather requires the nuclear fusion events which occur during mating. Therefore, [KIL-d] appears to interact with the nucleus in order to exert its effects on gene expression by the killer virus RNA genome.

Base Sequence↗

Single- and double-stranded viral RNAs in plants infected with the potexviruses papaya mosaic virus and foxtail mosaic virus.

Three classes of viral RNA were recovered from polyribosomes purified from papaya leaves infected with papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) and from barley leaves infected with foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV): full-length viral RNAs [6.8 and 6.2 kilobases (kb), respectively]; less abundant intermediate subgenomic RNAs (2.2 and 1.9 kb), and abundant, small subgenomic RNAs (1 and 0.9 kb). Small amounts of the PapMV-specified 1.0-kb subgenomic RNA were encapsidated, whereas no encapsidated subgenomic RNAs could be found in preparations of FoMV. Immunoprecipitation of the products of in vitro translation of the small subgenomic RNA of both viruses showed that it codes for the corresponding viral coat protein. FoMV genomic RNA isolated from polyribosomes also directed the efficient synthesis of a 37- to 38-kilodalton protein which was immunoprecipitated by an antiserum raised against the coat protein. We presume this product to be a readthrough protein initiated to the 5' side of and in the same reading frame as the coat protein-coding sequences in FoMV RNA. The predominant double-stranded viral-specified RNAs in tissues infected with PapMV, FoMV, and clover yellow mosaic virus were genome sized (6.8, 6.2, and 7.0 kb pairs, respectively). If double-stranded RNAs corresponding to coat protein subgenomic RNAs exist, they must be present in much lower relative abundances.

Genes, Viral↗

Identification of the putative RNA polymerase of Cryphonectria hypovirus in a solubilized replication complex.

Hypovirulence of the pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, caused by the unencapsidated viral double-stranded RNA of Cryphonectria hypovirus (CHV1), provides a means for biological control of chestnut blight. We report here the isolation of a replication complex of the virus solubilized from host membranes. The conserved regions of the putative RNA polymerase encoded by strain CHV1-713 were cloned and expressed, and the recombinant protein was purified and used to produce polyclonal antibodies. The CHV1 replication complex was solubilized from a membrane fraction of CHV1-infected C. parasitica hyphae. Antibodies raised against the putative viral polymerase reacted on a Western immunoblot with an 87-kDa polypeptide of the replication complex but not with comparable preparations from an isogenic uninfected strain. Analysis of the polypeptide composition of the complex by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining revealed a number of other polypeptides along with the double-stranded RNA of the virus. We conclude that this 87-kDa polypeptide is the putative RNA polymerase encoded on open reading frame B of CHV1.

Blotting, Western↗

Mechanism of up-regulation of human Toll-like receptor 3 secondary to infection of measles virus-attenuated strains.

PolyI:C, a synthetic double-stranded (ds)RNA, and viruses act on cells to induce IFN-beta which is a key molecule for anti-viral response. Although dsRNA is a virus-specific signature and a ligand for human Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), largely uncharacterized multiple pathways associate virus-mediated IFN-beta induction. Here, we demonstrated that laboratory-adapted but not wild-type strains of measles virus (MV) up-regulated TLR3 expression both in dendritic cells and epithelial cell line A549. The kinetics experiments with the laboratory MV strain revealed that TLR3 was induced late compared to IFN-beta and required new protein synthesis. Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies against IFN-beta or IFNAR (Interferon-alpha/beta receptor) suppressed MV-induced TLR3 induction, indicating that type I IFN, IFN-alpha/beta, is critical for MV-mediated TLR3 induction. Yet, a recently identified virus-inducible IFN, the IFN-lambda, did not contribute to TLR3 expression. A virus-responsive element that up-regulates TLR3 was identified in the TLR3-promoter region by reporter gene experiments. The ISRE, a recently reported site for IFN-beta induction, but not STAT binding site, located around -30bp of TLR3 promoter responded to MV to induce TLR3 expression. This further indicates the importance of type I IFN for TLR3 up-regulation in the case of viral infection. In HeLa and MRC5 cells, augmented production of IFN-beta was observed in response to dsRNA when TLR3 had been induced beforehand. Thus, the MV-induced expression of TLR3 may reflect amplified IFN production that plays a part in host defense to viral infection.

Cell Line↗

Respiratory syncytial virus induces TLR3 protein and protein kinase R, leading to increased double-stranded RNA responsiveness in airway epithelial cells.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preferentially infects airway epithelial cells, causing bronchiolitis, upper respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, and pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. A replication intermediate of RSV is dsRNA. This is an important ligand for both the innate immune receptor, TLR3, and protein kinase R (PKR). One known effect of RSV infection is the increased responsiveness of airway epithelial cells to subsequent bacterial ligands (i.e., LPS). In this study, we examined a possible role for RSV infection in increasing amounts and responsiveness of another TLR, TLR3. These studies demonstrate that RSV infection of A549 and human tracheobronchial epithelial cells increases the amounts of TLR3 and PKR in a time-dependent manner. This leads to increased NF-kappaB activity and production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-8 following a later exposure to dsRNA. Importantly, TLR3 was not detected on the cell surface at baseline but was detected on the cell surface after RSV infection. The data demonstrate that RSV, via an effect on TLR3 and PKR, sensitizes airway epithelial cells to subsequent dsRNA exposure. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that RSV infection sensitizes the airway epithelium to subsequent viral and bacterial exposures by up-regulating TLRs and increasing their membrane localization.

Cell Line↗

Poised for contagion: evolutionary origins of the infectious abilities of invertebrate retroviruses.

Phylogenetic analyses suggest that long-terminal repeat (LTR) bearing retrotransposable elements can acquire additional open-reading frames that can enable them to mediate infection. Whereas this process is best documented in the origin of the vertebrate retroviruses and their acquisition of an envelope (env) gene, similar independent events may have occurred in insects, nematodes, and plants. The origins of env-like genes are unclear, and are often masked by the antiquity of the original acquisitions and by their rapid rate of evolution. In this report, we present evidence that in three other possible transitions of LTR retrotransposons to retroviruses, an envelope-like gene was acquired from a viral source. First, the gypsy and related LTR retrotransposable elements (the insect errantiviruses) have acquired their envelope-like gene from a class of insect baculoviruses (double-stranded DNA viruses with no RNA stage). Second, the Cer retroviruses in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome acquired their envelope gene from a Phleboviral (single ambisense-stranded RNA viruses) source. Third, the Tas retroviral envelope (Ascaris lumricoides) may have been obtained from Herpesviridae (double-stranded DNA viruses, no RNA stage). These represent the only cases in which the env gene of a retrovirus has been traced back to its original source. This has implications for the evolutionary history of retroviruses as well as for the potential ability of all LTR-retrotransposable elements to become infectious agents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mycovirus cryphonectria hypovirus 1 elements cofractionate with trans-Golgi network membranes of the fungal host Cryphonectria parasitica.

The mycovirus cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) causes proliferation of vesicles in its host, Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight. These vesicles have previously been shown to contain both CHV1 genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and RNA polymerase activity. To determine the cellular origins of these virus-induced membrane structures, we compared the fractionation of several cellular and viral markers. Results showed that viral dsRNA, helicase, polymerase, and protease p29 copurify with C. parasitica trans-Golgi network (TGN) markers, suggesting that the virus utilizes the fungal TGN for replication. We also show that the CHV1 protease p29 associates with vesicle membranes and is resistant to treatments that would release peripheral membrane proteins. Thus, p29 behaves as an integral membrane protein of the vesicular fraction derived from the fungal TGN. Protease p29 was also found to be fully susceptible to proteolytic digestion in the absence of detergent and, thus, is wholly or predominantly on the cytoplasmic face of the vesicles. Fractionation analysis of p29 deletion variants showed that sequences in the C terminal of p29 mediate membrane association. In particular, the C-terminal portion of the protein (Met-135-Gly-248) is sufficient for membrane association and is enough to direct p29 to the TGN vesicles in the absence of other viral elements.

Ascomycota↗

Dynamics of dsRNA mycoviruses in black Aspergillus populations.

Approximately 10% of all examined 668 representatives of black Aspergillus species, independent of worldwide location, were infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycoviruses. These isometric viruses (25-40 nm diameter) contained a variety of often multiple segments of different dsRNA sizes ranging from 0.8 to 4.4 kb in size. In one strain the virus shows clear visible effects on its host with non-sporulating sectors. We quantified the fitness costs of these and more 'cryptic' virus infections on mycelial growth rate and spore production, and on competitive ability with respect to other strains under different growth conditions. Mycovirus infection proved detrimental in all these measures. The reduced success in interference competition due to mycovirus infection belies co-evolution of mycovirus and host to a mutually beneficial symbiosis, like in killer virus systems in yeast and smut and agrees more to recent infections. For a stable virus infection frequency in the black Aspergillus population, fitness costs and spontaneous loss should be balanced with new infections. Implications of even small viral fitness effects combined with the observed transmission limits for host and mycovirus are discussed.

Aspergillus↗