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Dimerization of rubella virus capsid protein is not required for virus particle formation.

Rubella virus (RV) virions contain, in addition to the RNA genome, a capsid protein (C) and two envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2). The C protein in isolated virions has been reported to be a disulfide-linked dimer (C2). There are two cysteine residues (Cys-152 and Cys-196) within the C protein. To define the role of disulfide-linked C2 dimer in virion formation, site-directed mutagenesis was used to alter the Cys-152 residue to serine. The association of mutant C protein with envelope glycoproteins was examined by transient expression of the cDNAs in COS cells. Mutation at the Cys-152 residue completely abolished the formation of C2 dimer. However, C2 dimerization does not appear to be important for the assembly of RV structural proteins into virus-like particles.

Animals↗

Characterization of an essential HSV-1 protein encoded by the UL25 gene reported to be involved in virus penetration and capsid assembly.

The 2.3-kb BamHI-U DNA fragment (map units 0.319-0.335) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome contains the complete UL25 open reading frame (ORF). It specifies an essential viral protein reported previously to be involved in virus penetration and capsid assembly (C. Addison, F. J. Rixon, J. W. Palfreyman, M. O'Hara, and V. G. Preston, Virology 138, 246-259, 1984). To identify the protein encoded by the UL25 gene, the UL25 ORF was cloned in a eukaryotic expression vector (p91023) downstream of the adenovirus major late promoter to generate the expression plasmid p9-UL25. Synthesis of a 60-kDa protein was observed in COS-7 cells transfected with p9-UL25 plasmid DNA, but not in cells transfected with p91023 control plasmid DNA. To identify and characterize the UL25 protein from HSV-1-infected cells, we prepared a rabbit antiserum by using UL25-GST fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli as immunogen. This rabbit antiserum readily immunoprecipitated the 60-kDa UL25 protein from HSV-1-infected cells. In HSV-1-infected cells, UL25 protein was expressed as a late (gamma) or a leaky late (gamma 1) viral protein. The rabbit antiserum raised against HSV-1 UL25 protein immunoprecipitated a UL25-homologue of identical size from HSV-2-infected cells. However, the reactivity of the antiserum with HSV-2 UL25-homologue was weaker than compared to the corresponding HSV-1 protein. Consistent with its classification as a virion component, the UL25 protein was found to be associated with purified HSV-1 virions.

Animals↗

Interaction between cauliflower mosaic virus inclusion body protein and capsid protein: implications for viral assembly.

The cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) inclusion body protein (pVI) is able to specifically interact with the viral capsid precursor protein (pIV). By using the yeast two-hybrid system and a blot assay, the pIV region required for the recognition of pVI was mapped to the lysine-rich domain. This region of only 48 amino acids when fused to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) mediated pVI and DNA binding in vitro. Competition experiments confirmed that pVI and DNA bind to the same region of pIV. Since pVI is absent from the mature virus, models are discussed in which pVI plays an accessory role in CaMV assembly, in addition to its function in transactivating translation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Variability and phylogeny of the L1 capsid protein gene of human papillomavirus type 5: contribution of clusters of nonsynonymous mutations and of a 30-nucleotide duplication.

We analyzed the variability and established the phylogeny of the L1 capsid protein gene of 33 isolates of human papillomavirus type 5 (HPV5) obtained from epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients from different continents. By comparing the sequences of a 419-bp fragment with those published for two Japanese isolates, we found 12.9% variable nucleotide positions, defining 25 variants with mutation rates ranging from 0.2 to 8.8%. Such a high intratypic diversity is unusual among HPVs. Nine of the 139 encoded amino acids were variable and 12 protein variants were identified. Fifteen of the 16 substitutions observed were clustered in two short regions. A 9-amino-acid insert, already reported for the Japanese HPV5b isolate, was found within one of the regions in five isolates. Our data support that the insert arose from the duplication of a 30-nucleotide sequence. Phylogenetic trees distributed the DNA variants into three subtypes (a to c) with a divergence higher than 4.5% and allowed the recognition of European and African lineages. By contrast with the trees based on the HPV5 E6 gene, HPV5a DNA variants and the HPV5b variants lacking the insert constituted a single group in the L1 amino acid tree, probably reflecting different levels of structural constraints for the HPV5 L1 and E6 proteins. In that respect, the short variable L1 sequences should represent less constrained regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proteolytic processing of Chlorella virus CVK2 capsid proteins.

Chlorella virus CVK2 particles contain several capsid proteins that are selectively released by treatment with 4 M urea. Seven of them (Vp52, Vp45, Vp41, Vp25, Vp20.5, Vp20, and Vp16.2) have been identified based on amino acid sequences at the N-terminus. Comparison of the amino acid sequences with the corresponding ORFs deduced from the nucleotide sequence of PBCV-1, the prototype member of Phycodnaviridae, revealed that the CVK2 proteins were processed at the N-terminal region by two different proteolytic activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A conserved internal hydrophobic domain mediates the stable membrane integration of the dengue virus capsid protein.

The mature flavivirus capsid protein (virion C) is commonly thought to be free in the cytoplasm of infected cells and to form a nucleocapsid-like complex with genomic RNA in mature virus particles. There is little sequence conservation among flavivirus virion C proteins, but they are similar in size (e.g., 99 amino acids [aa] for the dengue-4 [DEN4] C) and in bearing a net positive charge. In addition, we noted that C contained a conserved internal hydrophobic segment (spanning aa 45-65 in the DEN4 C). Results of in vivo expression and in vitro translation of wt and mutant forms of the DEN4 virion C demonstrated that the conserved internal hydrophobic segment in the DEN C functioned as a membrane anchor domain. Signal peptide function of this segment was also suggested by its requirement for the entry of C into membranes. Virion C was integrated in membranes in a "hairpin" conformation; positively charged segments amino- and carboxy-terminal to the hydrophobic signal-anchor segment were accessible to protease digestion in the "cytoplasm." The net positive charge in the amino-terminal extramembraneous portion of C (aa 1-44) was one determinant of the hairpin membrane orientation; a conserved positively charged residue within the hydrophobic segment (Arg-54 in the DEN4 C) was not.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A peptide encoding a B-cell epitope from the N-terminus of the capsid protein L2 of bovine papillomavirus-4 prevents disease.

The first 200 N-terminus amino acids of the L2 capsid protein of BPV-4 (designated L2a) are an effective prophylactic vaccine against BPV-4 infection. Vaccination with L2a induces the production of virus neutralizing antibodies, and when L2a antibodies are removed from immune sera, the sera lose their neutralization activity. L2a encodes three dominant B-cell epitopes, defined as epitope 1 (amino acids 101-120), epitope 2 (aa 131-151), and epitope 3 (aa 151-170). To investigate whether any of these epitopes are responsible individually or in combination for protection against viral challenge, synthetic peptides, corresponding to the three epitopes (peptides 11, 14, and 16, respectively) and conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were tested in vaccination challenge experiments. Calves vaccinated with the three peptides together showed no evidence of papillomavirus infection; those vaccinated with peptide 14 alone developed only early lesions which did not progress to proper papillomas and regressed rapidly; those vaccinated with peptide 11 or peptide 16 alone were not protected and proceeded to develop papillomas. Therefore the three B-cell epitopes are not conventionally "neutralizing" when presented individually, but in combination they form a complex neutralization domain, and, in particular, epitope 2, represented by peptide 14, encodes a domain responsible for disease prevention.

Animals↗

Capsid protein and helper component-proteinase function as potyvirus cell-to-cell movement proteins.

The role of bean common mosaic necrosis potyvirus (BCMNV) and lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV) proteins was investigated in terms of their capacity to function as viral movement proteins (MPs). Using Escherichia coli-expressed proteins and microinjection techniques, direct evidence was obtained that both the potyviral capsid protein (CP) and helper component- proteinase (HC-Pro) function in this capacity, in that both proteins (a) trafficked from cell to cell, (b) induced an increase in plasmodesmal size exclusion limit, and (c) facilitated cell-to-cell movement of viral RNA. CP and HC-Pro mutants were also produced and used in microinjection experiments. Mutations in the core region of the CP either impaired (single and double amino acid substitution mutants) or abolished (triple amino acid substitution mutant) cell-to-cell movement, as did C-terminal deletion mutants in HC-Pro. The BCMNV P1, CI, NIa, and NIb proteins did not exhibit viral MP properties, but NIa and NIb proteins were found to accumulate within the nuclei of injected cells. These results further establish the multifunctional nature of the potyvirus CP and HC-Pro.

Capsid↗

Adaptation of Theiler's virus to L929 cells: mutations in the putative receptor binding site on the capsid map to neutralization sites and modulate viral persistence.

Persistent strains of Theiler's virus, a murine picornavirus, produce a life-long infection of the central nervous system of the mouse and induce a chronic demyelinating disease. Strain DA1, a molecular clone of such a persistent strain, produces a prominent cytopathic effect in BHK-21 cells but is less efficient at infecting L929 cells. We cloned the cDNA of a derivative of virus DA1, adapted to promote a rapid cytopathic effect in L929 cells. Adaptation of the new variant (named KJ6) to L929 cells correlated with an enhanced viral entry rather than with an increased replication rate of the genome. Mutations responsible for L929 cells adaptation occurred in amino acids exposed at the surface of the capsid, in the CD loop of VP1 (100-102) and in the EF loop of VP2 (162-171-173), suggesting that these residues could be involved in receptor recognition. These two clusters of amino acids are precisely known to be part of neutralization epitopes. They also differentiate persistent from neurovirulent strains of Theiler's virus. Adaptation of the virus to L929 cells was accompanied by attenuation of its virulence for the mouse. Taken together, these data suggest a close relationship between receptor binding, virus neutralization, and virus phenotype.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus. V. Cell-to-cell movement requires capsid protein but not virions.

To ascertain the importance of amino-terminal proximal capsid protein (CP) sequences in cel-to-cell movement, virion formation, and stabilization, two CP mutants of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were generated by deletion of sequences encoding CP amino acids 15-40 (delta Sal-Nru) or 26-40 (delta Sac-Nru). Wildtype CMV and CMV containing delta Sac-Nru could infect systemically four host species, although symptoms induced by the two viruses usually were different CMV containing delta Sal-Nru could only infect Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii systemically, but only slowly, suggesting phloem-independent long-distance movement. A variant mutant designated delta Sal-Nru* could systemically infect N. tabacum as well as the above two Nicotiana species, rapidly, but could not systemically infect Cucurbita pepo. Virus particles could not be detected in plants infected by delta Sal-Nru, while delta Sal-Nru* and delta Sac-Nru formed particles of lower stabilities than for wildtype virus. The CPs of delta Sal-Nru and delta Sal-Nru* could bind RNA in vitro, although less strongly than delta Sac-Nru or wildtype CMV. These data indicate that amino-terminal proximal sequences of the CMV CP interact with viral RNA and are required for the formation of stable virions. Moreover, while the CP is necessary for cell-to-cell movement, the ability to form virions is not a prerequisite for cell-to-cell movement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombinant hepatitis E capsid protein self-assembles into a dual-domain T = 1 particle presenting native virus epitopes.

The three-dimensional structure of a self-assembled, recombinant hepatitis E virus particle has been solved to 22-A resolution by cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction. The single subunit of 50 kDa is derived from a truncated version of the open reading frame-2 gene of the virus expressed in a baculovirus system. This is the first structure of a T = 1 particle with protruding dimers at the icosahedral two-fold axes solved by cryo-electron microscopy. The protein shell of these hollow particles extends from a radius of 50 A outward to a radius of 135 A. In the reconstruction, the capsid is dominated by dimers that define the 30 morphological units. The outer domain of the homodimer forms a protrusion, which corresponds to the spike-like density seen in the cryo-electron micrograph. This particle retains native virus epitopes, suggesting its potential value as a vaccine.

Capsid↗

Capsid-targeted viral inactivation can eliminate the production of infectious murine leukemia virus in vitro.

Capsid-targeted viral inactivation (CTVI), a promising gene-based antiviral strategy against retroviruses, was designed to disrupt the retroviral life cycle by incorporating a degradative enzyme (e.g., nuclease) into viral particles during assembly, thereby reducing or eliminating the production of infectious virus. The experimental system used to develop the CTVI strategy for retroviruses is designed to block the production of infectious Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV). Two nucleases, Escherichia coli ribonulease HI and Staphylococcus nuclease, have been shown to be tolerated by the cell as Mo-MLV Gag-nuclease fusion polyproteins and still be active in the viral particles. The goal of this study was to determine what cellular and viral factors limit CTVI in cultured cells. The avian DF-1 cell line greatly expanded our ability to test the antiviral efficacy of CTVI in long-term assays and to determine the mechanism(s) of CTVI action. The CTVI antiviral effect is dependent on the level of Mo-MLV Gag-nuclease fusion polyprotein expressed. The Mo-MLV Gag-nuclease polyproteins produce a long-term prophylactic antiviral effect after a low- or high-dose Mo-MLV challenge. The Mo-MLV Gag-nuclease fusions have a significant therapeutic effect ( approximately 1000-fold) on the production of infectious Mo-MLV. The therapeutic CTVI effect can be improved by a second delivery of the CTVI fusion gene. Both the prophylactic and the therapeutic CTVI antiviral approaches can virtually eliminate the production of infectious Mo-MLV in vitro and are only limited by the number of cells in the population that do not express adequate levels of the CTVI fusion polyprotein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombinant viruses expressing the foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid precursor polypeptide (P1) induce cellular but not humoral antiviral immunity and partial protection in pigs.

The importance of the induction of virus neutralizing antibodies to provide protection against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection is well established. However, recent studies with recombinant adenovirus expressing the precursor polypeptide of the viral capsid (P1) indicate that cattle inoculated with this recombinant vector developed partial protection against FMDV infection, in the absence of a detectable specific humoral response. Other viral vectors have been widely used to induce protective immunity against many pathogens, and it has been reported that the use of different vectors for priming and boosting injections can provide a synergistic effect on this response. In this work, we determined the immunogenicity of two recombinant viruses (adenovirus and vaccinia) expressing P1-FMDV, administered either individually or sequentially, and the protection that they induced against FMDV challenge in pigs. A double immunization with the adeno-P1 virus was the most effective strategy at inducing protective immunity. In contrast to previous reports, the use of two different vectors for priming and boosting did not show a synergistic effect on the protection induced against FMD. Interestingly, immunized pigs developed FMDV-specific T cell responses but not detectable antibodies. Thus, the protection observed was likely to be mediated by a cellular immune response.

Animals↗

Identification of a subgenomic mRNA encoding the capsid protein of mushroom bacilliform virus, a single-stranded RNA mycovirus.

Mushroom bacilliform virus is unique among mycoviruses of the higher fungi in having a genome of positive-sense single-stranded RNA. We have identified a subgenomic mRNA molecule encoding the viral capsid protein in mushroom bacilliform virus-infected mycelium of Agaricus bisporus. Transcription of subgenomic RNA commences at the sequence ACAAAA, 47 nucleotides upstream of the initiating AUG.

Agaricus↗

Crosslink analysis of N-terminal, C-terminal, and N/B determining regions of the Moloney murine leukemia virus capsid protein.

To analyze contacts made by Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) capsid (CA) proteins in immature and mature virus particles, we have employed a cysteine-specific crosslinking approach that permits the identification of retroviral Gag protein interactions at particular residues. For analysis, single cysteine creation mutations were made in the context of protease-deficient or protease-competent parental constructs. Cysteine creation mutations were chosen near the N- and C-termini of CA and at a site adjacent to the M-MuLV Glu-Ala Fv1 N/B host range determination sequence. Analysis of immature virions showed that PrGag proteins were crosslinked at C-terminal CA residues to form dimers while crosslinking of particle-associated N-terminal and N/B region mutant proteins did not yield dimers, but showed evidence of linking to an unknown 140- to 160-kDa partner. Analysis of mature virions demonstrated that both N- and C-terminal CA residues participated in dimer formation, suggesting that processed CA N- and C-termini are free to establish interprotein associations. Interestingly, N/B region mutant residues in mature virus particles did not crosslink to form dimers, but showed a novel crosslinked band, consistent with an interaction between the N/B tropism determining region and a cellular protein of 45-55 kDa.

Animals↗

Phytoreovirus T = 1 core plays critical roles in organizing the outer capsid of T = 13 quasi-equivalence.

The structures of the double-shelled rice dwarf virus and of its single-shell core have been determined by cryoelectron microscopy and image reconstruction. The core carries a prominent density located at each of the icosahedral faces of its T = 1 lattice. These protrusions are formed by outer shell trimers, tightly inserted at the threefold positions of the core. Such configuration of the core may guide the assembly of the outer shell, aided by lateral interactions between its subunits, into a T = 13 lattice. The organization of the phytoreovirus capsid elucidates for the first time a general model for assembling two unique T numbers of quasi-equivalence.

Animals↗

Attachment of coxsackievirus B3 variants to various cell lines: mapping of phenotypic differences to capsid protein VP1.

The coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) strain Nancy P establishes a persistent carrier-state infection without visible cytopathic effect in primary human fibroblasts (HuFi H), whereas the derivative variant PD induces a complete lysis of the cell monolayer. To define the molecular basis of this exceptional growth property, the complete genomes of both viruses were sequenced and compared to all published sequences of CVB3. As a result, six unique amino acid substitutions in the VP1 capsid protein were observed. Via hybrid virus construction, the lytic phenotype was transferred to a nonlytic cDNA-generated CVB3. Mapping experiments indicate that the presence of amino acid residues K78, A80, A91, and I92 in VP1 is sufficient to induce "lytic" infections in HuFi H cells. Binding assays demonstrate that CVB3 Nancy P preferentially binds to the human coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR), while PD exhibits a very weak interaction with CAR but strong binding to the decay accelerating factor (DAF). These results suggest that the mutated amino acid residues in VP1 are involved in receptor recognition/binding. Moreover, the lytic replication of CVB3 PD and the hybrid virus in various nonpermissive rodent cell lines indicates that cell surface molecules other than CAR and DAF may be involved in attachment of this variant to cell surfaces.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Construction of full-length cDNA clones to Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus RNA1 and RNA2, from which infectious RNAs are transcribed In vitro: virion formation and systemic infection without expression of the N-terminal and C-terminal extensions to the capsid protein.

The 19-kDa capsid protein (CP) of Soil-borne wheat mosaic furovirus (SBWMV) is encoded in the 5'-terminal region of RNA2. In addition to CP, two CP-related proteins are translated from SBWMV RNA2: (1) a 24-kDa protein (N-CP) with an N-terminal 40-amino-acid extension initiated at an upstream in-frame CUG codon; and (2) an 83-kDa protein (CP-RT) with an about 580-amino-acid, C-terminal extension by partial translational readthrough at the UGA termination codon at the end of the CP gene. We examined requirements for N-CP and CP-RT on virion formation and systemic infection in wheat plants using full-length cDNA clones, from which infectious RNA can be transcribed in vitro. RNA2 mutants, which could not synthesize N-CP, CP-RT, or either infected wheat plants systemically in combination with the wild-type RNA1 transcripts, produced rod-shaped virus particles in uninoculated upper leaves. Original mutations which abolished translation of N-CP and CP-RT were confirmed on RNA2 extracted from purified virus from the upper leaves by nucleotide sequence analysis. These results indicate that neither N-terminal nor C-terminal extensions to the CP are required for virion formation and systemic infection of SBWMV in wheat plants.

Base Sequence↗