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Treatment response and drug resistance in patients infected with HIV type 1 group O viruses.

Information about the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs in HIV-1 group O strains as well on the virus evolution in terms of resistance development in vivo is very limited. We assessed the clinical, immunological, and virological response to antiretroviral therapy as well as the selection of drug resistance in six HIV-1 group O-infected patients. All but one initiated antiretroviral therapy with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus one protease inhibitor (PI). At baseline, median plasma HIV-1 group O RNA and CD4 counts were 32,256 (15,770-74,132) copies/ml and 88 cells/microl (13-170), respectively. Four patients reached undetectable plasma viremia 12 weeks after beginning treatment. However, viremia rebounded in one of them due to poor compliance. Another two patients had an initial reduction in plasma HIV-RNA greater than 1 log, but rebounded soon thereafter. At baseline, all patients' viruses revealed changes associated with NNRTI resistance (98G and 181C). Two out of three patients failing therapy developed resistance mutations. One selected changes M41L, E44D, D67N, V75M, M184V, and T215Y at the RT, and G48M, F53L, I54V, V82A, and L90M at the protease. Another selected mutations K70N, V75A, and M184V at the RT, and D30D/N and I84V at the protease while failing on indinavir. Interestingly, both patients showed a shift at codon 181 from C to Y, which might restore NNRTI susceptibility. Sustained viral suppression in HIV-1 group O-infected patients can be successfully achieved using antiretroviral regimens based on two NRTI and a boosted PI. Drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 group O seem to be selected at similar positions to those in HIV-1 group M viruses.

Adolescent↗

Genetic analysis of rabies virus isolates in the Philippines.

To determine the genetic characteristics of the rabies virus in the Philippines, 59 rabies virus isolates were obtained from domestic rabid dogs and their partial nucleotide sequences of nucleoprotein (N) gene were compared. Based on comparison with reported sequences, phylogenetic analysis revealed that all isolates from the Philippines had close genetic relations and formed two subgroups. The Philippines isolates belonged to a different lineage from other Asian isolates but were closer to them than to terrestrial isolates and laboratory strains. Several specific nucleotide and amino acid substitutions were observed among the Philippines isolates. Our results suggest that rabies viruses in the Philippines might have a characteristic evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Molecular evolution of paramyxoviruses].

We reviewed immunological relationships between paramyxoviruses and molecular evolution of paramyxoviruses. (1) paramyxoviruses are divided into two groups by the basis of the immunological relationship, i.e., parainfluenza type 1 virus group and type 2 virus group; (2) according to the NP and M proteins sequences, paramyxoviruses are divided into parainfluenza type 1 virus and type 2 virus groups; the former group is composed of HPIV-1, SV, HPIV-3 and BPIV-3, and the latter group consists of HPIV-2, SV41, SV5, MuV, HPIV-4A and HPIV-4B; and this grouping coincides with that by immunological relationships; (3) alignment of the P and V proteins of paramyxoviruses demonstrates that irregular gaps are present around the RNA-editing sites, suggesting that dynamic processes have been occurred during molecular evolution; (4) the NP proteins of the morbilliviruses are more related to the parainfluenza type 2 group, while the M proteins show closer-relationship with the parainfluenza type 1 group; (5) the parainfluenza type 2 group can be subdivided into two groups, i.e., mammal and avian types; (6) phylogentic trees for mononegaviruses are constructed.

Evolution, Molecular↗

Genetic mapping of the compatibility between a lily isolate of Cucumber mosaic virus and a satellite RNA.

Five isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) from Lilium sp. (lily), which were isolated from specimens in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, were unable to support satellite RNA (satRNA) accumulation. In order to map the CMV sequences that are involved in satRNA support, HL-CMV (Japanese lily isolate), Y-CMV (ordinary strain) and Y-satellite RNA (Y-sat) were used as the source material. The pseudorecombinants between Y-CMV and HL-CMV revealed that RNA1 was essential for satRNA replication in lily. The results of chimeric constructs and various mutations showed that two amino acid residues (at positions 876 and 891) in the 1a protein were the determinants for the inability of HL-CMV to support a satRNA. Specifically, Thr at position 876 had a more pronounced effect than Met at position 891. Specific changes in RNA sequence were also detected in the 3' terminus of Y-sat and these particular alterations allowed it to be supported by HL-CMV. It is believed that, through evolution, the adaptation of CMV to lily resulted in the introduction of amino acid changes in the 1a protein, changes that coincidentally affected the ability of lily CMV to support satRNAs.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Nucleotide sequence of the brome mosaic virus genome and its implications for viral replication.

The nucleotide sequences of brome mosaic virus (BMV) RNAs 1 (3234 bases) and 2 (2865 bases) have been determined, completing the primary structure of the 8200 base tripartite BMV genome. cDNA clones covering 99% of BMV RNA1 and a full-length cDNA clone of BMV RNA2 were isolated in the course of this work. Extensive sequence homology and known interaction with several proteins suggest that the 3' ends of the BMV RNAs are the major regulatory regions of the genome. Smaller regions at the 5' ends of RNAs 1 and 2 show strong homology to each other and lesser homology to RNA3. These and other features of the sequences are discussed in relation to replication, regulation and evolution of the BMV genome.

Base Composition↗

High temperature cDNA synthesis by AMV reverse transcriptase improves the specificity of PCR.

The enzyme avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV-RT) is routinely used for cDNA synthesis, which is generally carried out at temperatures between 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C. We show that this enzyme can support cDNA synthesis, at temperatures as high as 70 degrees C. We have utilized this property of the AMV-RT to improve the specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, this apparently thermophilic property of the enzyme, which is an important constituent of a mesophilic organism, raises intriguing questions regarding evolution of the enzyme structure.

Avian Myeloblastosis Virus↗

Nucleotide sequence of the Barmah Forest virus genome.

Barmah Forest virus (BFV) is an atypical alphavirus [Dalgarno, L., Short, N. J., Hardy, C. M., Bell, J. R., Strauss, J. H., and Marshall, I. D. (1984). Virology 133, 416-426] and has been classified as the sole known member of a seventh alphavirus serocomplex. The complete nucleotide sequence of BFV genomic RNA is 11,488 nucleotides in length excluding the poly(A) tail. Two long open reading frames in the RNA encode a nonstructural polyprotein of 2411 amino acids and a structural polyprotein of 1239 amino acids, respectively. The BFV envelope protein E2 is unique among sequenced alphaviruses in having no N-linked glycosylation sites; E1 carries two glycosylation sites. From amino acid sequence comparisons with sequenced alphaviruses BFV is most closely related to Ross River and Semliki Forest viruses. Sequence homology between BFV and other alphaviruses is relatively uniform along the length of the nonstructural and structural polyproteins, providing no evidence that BFV has arisen from recombination between ancestral alphaviruses in the coding region of the genome. The BFV 3' noncoding region of 445 nucleotides has unusual features. There are two unrelated sequence blocks of 48 nucleotides (sequence I) and 47 nucleotides (sequence II) both of which are repeated once. Sequence I is closely related to a repeat in the 3' noncoding region of Ross River and Getah viruses; sequence II is unrelated to repeat blocks in other sequenced alphaviruses. Thus, recombination between ancestral viruses may have played a role in the evolution of the BFV 3' noncoding region.

Alphavirus↗

Rapid cell variation can determine the establishment of a persistent viral infection.

Evidence for a mechanism of initiation of viral persistence in which the cell, and not the virus, plays a critical role has been obtained using the important animal pathogen foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). We have developed a virulence assay consisting of quantification of the ability of virus to kill cells and of cells to divide in the presence of virus and to initiate a carrier state. Cells were cured of FMDV at early times following a cytolytic infection of BHK-21 monolayers with FMDV. When cured cells were subjected to the virulence assay they showed an increased ability to survive a second infection by FMDV but not by other RNA viruses. This altered phenotype was maintained as a stable genetic trait. When the virus present in such early surviving cells was used to infect BHK-21 cells, it proved to be as virulent as the initial cytolytic FMDV and, furthermore, its ability to kill BHK-21 cells increased upon replication in the surviving cells. Both the level of genetic heterogeneity and the rate of evolution of FMDV were similar to those previously documented during acute and persistent FMDV infections. The results suggest that, in contrast to most other viral systems, the critical element in the establishment of a persistent infection of BHK-21 cells with FMDV is the ability of the host cells to vary genetically and phenotypically, which promotes selection of cells with increased resistance to virus. The possible relevance of this mechanism to viral persistence in vivo is discussed.

Animals↗

Oncolytic virotherapy: approaches to tumor targeting and enhancing antitumor effects.

The application of replicating viruses for the treatment of cancers represents a novel therapy that is distinct from traditional treatment modalities. It is apparent that the genetic changes that a virus produces within an infected cell in order to create an environment conducive to viral replication are often similar to the processes involved in cellular transformation. These include uncontrolled cellular proliferation, prevention of apoptosis, and resistance to host organism immune effector mechanisms. Deletions of viral genes involved in these processes have been exploited to produce viral mutants whose replication is selective for transformed cells. The use of tissue-specific transcriptional response or RNA stability elements to control the expression of critical viral genes has also resulted in targeted viruses. Work also is being undertaken to restrict or alter the tropism of viruses by altering their ability to infect certain cell types. Finally, the addition of exogenous genes can be used to increase the virus's lytic potential and/or bystander killing; to further induce the host's immune response against cancer cells; and/or to permit the controlled downregulation of viral replication if necessary. The combination of different tumor-targeting mutations in parallel with the expression of foreign genes has resulted in the evolution of second- and third-generation viruses that continue to become further distinct from their native parental strains. The movement of these viruses into the clinic has begun to demonstrate the potential of this approach in the treatment of cancers.

Apoptosis↗

Aureusvirus P14 is an efficient RNA silencing suppressor that binds double-stranded RNAs without size specificity.

RNA silencing is a conserved eukaryotic gene regulatory system in which sequence specificity is determined by small RNAs. Plant RNA silencing also acts as an antiviral mechanism; therefore, viral infection requires expression of a silencing suppressor. The mechanism and the evolution of silencing suppression are still poorly understood. Tombusvirus open reading frame (ORF) 5-encoded P19 is a size-selective double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein that suppresses silencing by sequestering double-stranded small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the specificity determinant of the antiviral silencing system. To better understand the evolution of silencing suppression, we characterized the suppressor of the type member of Aureusviruses, the closest relatives of the genus Tombusvirus. We show that the Pothos latent virus (PoLV) ORF 5-encoded P14 is an efficient suppressor of both virus- and transgene-induced silencing. Findings that in vitro P14 binds dsRNAs and double-stranded siRNAs without obvious size selection suggest that P14, unlike P19, can suppress silencing by sequestering both long dsRNA and double-stranded siRNA components of the silencing machinery. Indeed, P14 prevents the accumulation of hairpin transcript-derived siRNAs, indicating that P14 inhibits inverted repeat-induced silencing by binding the long dsRNA precursors of siRNAs. However, viral siRNAs accumulate to high levels in PoLV-infected plants; therefore, P14 might inhibit virus-induced silencing by sequestering double-stranded siRNAs. Finally, sequence analyses suggest that P14 and P19 suppressors diverged from an ancient dsRNA binding suppressor that evolved as a nested protein within the common ancestor of aureusvirus-tombusvirus movement proteins.

Gene Silencing↗

Only those genes of the KIAA1245 gene subfamily that contain HERV(K) LTRs in their introns are transcriptionally active.

Insertion of LTRs into some genome locations might seriously affect regulation of the neighboring genes expression. This hypothesis is widely accepted but, however, not confirmed directly. Earlier, we have identified a family of closely related genes highly similar to the KIAA1245 mRNA counterpart. This family included a subfamily of genes some of which contained and the others lacked an LTR in their structure. We compared transcription of several closely related genes of the subfamily differing in the presence or absence of LTRs. Only LTR-containing genes were transcribed in transformed cell lines, tumorous and embryonic human tissues, whereas LTR-lacking genes remained silent. Since the genes were in the same intracellular microenvironment, we suggested that this effect was most probably due to intrinsic cis-characteristics of integrated LTRs and confirmed this by demonstrating high enhancer activity of KIAA1245 LTRs. The expression of the LTR-containing genes in embryonic tissues might suggest their involvement in evolutionary events during primate speciation.

Brain↗

Endogenous expression of a high-affinity pseudoknot RNA aptamer suppresses replication of HIV-1.

Aptamers, small oligonucleotides derived from an in vitro evolution process called SELEX, are promising therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Although very effective in vitro, only a few examples are available showing their potential in vivo. We have analyzed the effect of a well characterized pseudoknot RNA aptamer selected for tight binding to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase on HIV replication. Transient intracellular expression of a chimeric RNA consisting of the human initiator tRNA(Met) (tRNA(Meti))/aptamer sequence in human 293T cells showed inhibition of HIV particle release by >75% when the cells were co-transfected with proviral HIV-1 DNA. Subsequent virus production of human T-lymphoid C8166 cells, infected with viral particles derived from co-transfected 293T cells, was again reduced by >75% as compared with the control. As the observed effects are additive, in this model for virus spread, the total reduction of HIV particle formation by transient intracellular expression of the pseudoknot RNA aptamer amounts to >95%. Low-dose HIV infection of human T cells stably expressing the aptamer did not show any virus replication over a period of 35 days. This is the first example of an RNA aptamer selected against a viral enzyme target to show powerful antiviral activity in HIV-1-permissive human T-lymphoid cell lines.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic variability of hepatitis A virus.

Knowledge of the molecular biology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) has increased exponentially since its identification. HAV exploits all known mechanisms of genetic variation to ensure survival, including mutation and genetic recombination. HAV has been characterized by the emergence of different genotypes, three human antigenic variants and only one major serotype. This paper reviews the genetic variability and molecular epidemiology of HAV. Its evolutionary mechanisms are described with particular emphasis on genetic recombination and HAV mutation rate. Genotypic classification methods are also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Milestones in virology].

The "milestones" of virology try to depict the development from variolation to construction of hybrid viruses. Not only single observations or detections are listed, in contrast, this is an attempt to delineate from single events conclusions for the more general development of virology. Because of the increase of specialization in experimental sciences, it is often difficult for researchers to realize the roots of their present problems. Often, earlier conclusions are being overlooked, from which recent experimentations have been delineated.

Animals↗

In vivo selection of randomly mutated retroviral genomes.

Darwinian evolution, that is the outgrowth of the fittest variants in a population, usually applies to living organisms over long periods of time. Recently, in vitro selection/amplification techniques have been developed that allow for the rapid evolution of functionally active nucleic acids from a pool of randomized sequences. We now describe a modification of the nucleic acid-evolution protocol in which selection and amplification take place inside living cells by means of a retroviral-based replication system. We have generated a library of HIV-1 DNA genomes with random sequences in particular domains of the TAR element, which is the binding site for the Tat trans-activator protein. This mixture of HIV genomes was transfected into T cells and outgrowth of the fittest viruses was observed within two weeks of viral replication. The results of this in vivo selection analysis are consistent with the notion that primary sequence elements in both TAR bulge and loop domains are critical for Tat-mediated trans-activation and viral replication.

Base Sequence↗

Identification and preliminary characterization of a chitinase gene in the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome.

A functional chitinase gene (chiA) has been identified in the genome of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV). It is expressed in the late phase of virus replication in insect cells. High levels of both endo- and exochitinase activity were detected by 12 hr p.i. and remained stable throughout infection. An AcMNPV chiA protein-specific antibody was prepared using recombinant material prepared in bacteria. This was used to demonstrate that a product of approximately 58 kDa was synthesised in virus-infected cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of virus-infected cells showed that most chitinase was located in the cytoplasm. Primer extension analysis of mRNA from AcMNPV-infected cells confirmed that transcription initiated from a baculovirus late start site (TAAG), 14 nucleotides upstream from the putative translation initiation codon. The predicted protein sequence of the AcMNPV chiA shares extensive sequence similarity with chitinases from bacteria and, in particular, the Serratia marcescens chitinase A (60.5% identical residues). Phylogenetic analyses indicate that AcMNPV, or an ancestral baculovirus, acquired the chitinase gene from a bacterium via horizontal gene transfer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Unique SARS-CoV protein nsp1: bioinformatics, biochemistry and potential effects on virulence.

Viruses have evolved a myriad of strategies for promoting viral replication, survival and spread. Sequence analysis of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) genome predicts several proteins that are unique to SARS-CoV. The search to understand the high virulence of SARS-CoV compared with related coronaviruses, which cause lesser respiratory illnesses, has recently focused on the unique nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV and suggests evolution of a possible new virulence mechanism in coronaviruses. The SARS-CoV nsp1 protein increases cellular RNA degradation and thus might facilitate SARS-CoV replication or block immune responses.

Animals↗

Evolution in the hypervariable region of the hepatitis C virus in two infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission.

BACKGROUND: There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission during long-term follow up. The hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome was investigated in two mother-infant pairs from birth to 7.6 and 10.2 years, respectively. METHODS: Ten cDNA clones of HVR1 generated from HCV-RNA and extracted from serum samples of both pairs were analyzed. The sequences were compared with regard to variability, identity, and hydrophobia profile, and analyzed by phylogenetic studies. RESULTS: The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was high with fluctuation in infant A and almost within the normal range in infant B. Sequence diversity was higher in infant A at 7.6 years than in infant B at 9.3 years (sequence identity with the mothers'; 69.3-70.7% vs 85.3-90.7% for nucleotides, and 48% vs 68-72% for amino acids, respectively). Compared to the first samples, amino acid changes greatly increased in infant A (35.2% at 4.9 years and 52% at 7.6 years), but not in infant B (4% at 5.6 years and 27.5% at 9.3 years). Phylogenetic studies revealed that quasispecies in infant A evolved to a greater extent than that in infant B. Hydrophobia profile analyses revealed that dynamic shifts between hydrophilia and hydrophobia occurred in both infants. CONCLUSIONS: As in adults, the evolution of HVR1 and variability of quasispecies increased in infants infected through mother-to-infant transmission for 10 years after birth. A large episode of ALT elevation suggested the emergence of escape mutants and the evolution of new quasispecies.

Alanine Transaminase↗