PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

A C Marriott

Publications and source records attributed to A C Marriott.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

The glycoprotein of Thogoto virus (a tick-borne orthomyxo-like virus) is related to the baculovirus glycoprotein GP64.

Thogoto (THO) virus is a tick-transmitted virus which shares morphological and biochemical characteristics with members of the Orthomyxoviridae. The genome of Thogoto virus comprises six segments of single-stranded, negative sense RNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the fourth largest RNA segment of THO virus has been determined from cDNA analyses. This RNA segment is 1574 nt long and has a coding capacity for a glycoprotein of 512 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 57,550 Da. The sequence of this protein has extensive homology with the putative envelope protein of Dhori (DHO) virus, the only other recorded tick-borne orthomyxo-like virus, but not with the envelope glycoproteins of the influenza viruses. A search of the translation of the available nucleotide database has produced evidence for a relationship between the glycoproteins of THO and DHO viruses and the gp64 glycoprotein of two DNA-containing insect baculoviruses, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and Orgyia pseudotsugata nuclear polyhedrosis virus. The baculovirus gp64 protein is a membrane protein implicated in endocytotic fusion events during infection. A multiple alignment between these four glycoproteins gave significance scores of greater than 28 standard deviations, indicating that the homologies between them are highly significant. The distribution of cysteine residues is conserved between all four proteins which also have similar hydropathy profiles, suggestive of a type I membrane protein topology.

Amino Acid Sequence

Comparison of the S RNA segments and nucleoprotein sequences of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Hazara, and Dugbe viruses.

The S RNA segments of the nairoviruses Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (Chinese isolate) and Hazara (HAZ) virus were cloned and sequenced from PCR products. The RNAs comprise 1672 and 1677 nucleotides, respectively, and each encodes a protein in the viral complementary strand (54.0 and 54.2 kDa, respectively). The deduced protein sequences show homology to each other and to the nucleoprotein of Dugbe (DUG) nairovirus, although both the CCHF and HAZ viral proteins are larger. Alignment of the nucleoprotein sequences of CCHF, HAZ, and DUG viruses show that the CCHF and HAZ sequences are somewhat more closely related to each other (60.0% identity) than either is to the DUG sequence (55.4 and 53.0% identity, respectively); 39.5% of residues are identical across all three proteins. The carboxyl-terminus of DUG N protein shows a 40-residue deletion relative to the N proteins of the other two viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence

Dugbe Nairovirus M RNA: nucleotide sequence and coding strategy.

The coding assignments of the medium-sized (M) RNA segment of the Dugbe (DUG) virus (Nairovirus, Bunyaviridae) were investigated. The complete nucleotide sequence of 4888 nucleotides (nt) contained one long open reading frame in the viral complementary RNA, extending from an AUG start codon at nt 48-50 to a stop codon at nt 4701-4703 (numbered from the 5' terminus of vcRNA). Comparison of the terminal sequences with the ends of the DUG S segment revealed sequence identity between the first nine nucleotides of both segments. No sequence homologies were found with the M segments of other members of the Bunyaviridae, or with their polypeptide products. Expression of portions of the DUG M open reading frame in Escherichia coli demonstrated the carboxyl terminal region of the M open reading frame codes for the G1 structural glycoprotein, which is the target for neutralising antibodies. Confirmation of this assignment was obtained by sequencing the amino terminus of the G1 protein. Two nonstructural glycoproteins which share epitopes with G1 were identified in virus-infected cells, one of which (85 kDa) is processed over a period of several hours to produce G1. The G2 coding region was located upstream of the G1 sequence. The region between the carboxyl terminus of G2 and the 5' end of the long open reading frame apparently encodes a nonstructural protein of about 70 kDa, which is a precursor of the G2 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression of the nucleocapsid protein of Dugbe virus and antigenic cross-reactions with other nairoviruses.

The small (S) RNA segment of Dugbe (DUG) virus (Nairovirus, Bunyaviridae) encodes a single protein, the nucleocapsid (N) protein, of M(r) 49.4 kDa. cDNA derived from the complete coding region for the N protein was cloned into Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) under control of the polyhedrin promoter and used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells. Western blotting analysis using monoclonal antibodies demonstrated the production of DUG N protein in the infected cells. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the N protein of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus were found to cross-react weakly with the baculovirus expressed DUG N protein by Western blotting. When used in an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA), the DUG N protein reacted with polyclonal mouse immune ascitic fluids raised against either CCHF or Hazara viruses (both members of the CCHF serogroup of nairoviruses). Cross-reactions between DUG virus (Nairobi sheep disease serogroup) and members of other nairovirus serogroups were not detected.

Antigens, Viral

Nucleotide sequence of RNA 2 of a Czechoslovakian isolate of red clover necrotic mosaic virus.

The complete nucleotide sequence (1448 nucleotides) of RNA 2 of a Czechoslovakian isolate TpM-34 of red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV-TpM-34) has been determined. The sequence contained one major open reading frame (ORF) with the potential to encode a protein of 326 amino acids (Mr 35755), designated P2. The nucleotide sequence of RNA 2 of RCNMV-TpM-34 and the previously published sequence of RNA 2 of an Australian isolate of the virus (RCNMV-Aus) were 83% identical and there was 80% amino acid sequence identity between the P2 proteins of these isolates. However the N-terminal two-thirds of the P2 proteins shared a higher degree of similarity than the C-terminal regions which were predicted to have a more flexible structure. An ORF in the 3' portion of RNA 2 of RCNMV-Aus, which could encode a protein of Mr 5000, was not present in RNA 2 of RCNMV-TpM-34. RNAs 1 and 2 of RCNMV-TpM-34 and RCNMV-Aus are bilaterally compatible.

Amino Acid Sequence

Dissemination, replication, and trans-stadial persistence of Dugbe virus (Nairovirus, Bunyaviridae) in the tick vector Amblyomma variegatum.

The dissemination and replication of Dugbe (DUG) virus and its tissue tropisms in the tick vector Amblyomma variegatum were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using specific antibody, in situ hybridization with a viral-complementary riboprobe, and infectivity assays of dissected tissues. Dugbe virus was localized in both unfed and feeding adults inoculated as nymphs or orally infected by capillary feeding, and in nymphs infected by capillary feeding. In non-feeding ticks, the main sites of DUG virus replication were the epidermis, hemocytes associated with loose connective tissue, and a small number of phagocytic digestive cells in the gut lumen. Virus infectivity in the hemolymph was associated entirely with hemocytes. Dugbe viral antigen or infectivity was not detected in the salivary glands until after the start of feeding. Viral titers in the salivary glands of feeding ticks were about ten-fold higher than in gut, ovary, or loose connective tissue. The level of infection decreased during molting and increased during feeding. Viral particles and pathologic effects were not detected in infected ticks. The primary site of trans-stadial persistence of DUG virus is the hemocytes. Tick hemocytes and other motile cells may be important in the transmission of persistent virus infection from one cell or organ to another by diapedesis.

Animals

Coding strategy of the S RNA segment of Dugbe virus (Nairovirus; Bunyaviridae).

The S RNA segment of Dugbe (DUG) virus (Nairovirus; Bunyaviridae) was sequenced from three overlapping cDNA clones and by primer extension. The S RNA is 1712 nucleotides in length and contains one large open reading frame (ORF) of 1326 nucleotides coding for a 49.4-kDa protein on viral complementary (vc) RNA. This protein in size corresponds to the DUG nucleocapsid (N) protein (P. Cash, 1985, J. Gen. Virol. 66, 141-148). The 49.4-kDa product was expressed as a fusion protein with beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli cells and confirmed as DUG N protein by Western blotting with DUG N-specific monoclonal antibody. An additional ORF of 150 nucleotides coding for a possible 5.9-kDa protein is present in the +1 reading frame, 3' to the N protein ORF on vcRNA. DUG S segment mRNA was found to be essentially full length. No evidence was obtained for the existence of a smaller mRNA species that could code for a 5.9-kDa protein. Comparisons of the DUG S RNA sequence and predicted N protein amino acid sequence, with the respective sequences of snowshoe hare, La Crosse (bunyaviruses), Punta Toro, Sandfly fever Sicilian (phleboviruses), and Hantaan (hantavirus) viruses, failed to detect any sequence similarity, although the genomic structure of DUG S RNA is similar to that of the S RNA segment of Hantaan (HTN) virus.

Amino Acid Sequence

Detection of an arbovirus in an invertebrate and a vertebrate host using the polymerase chain reaction.

The ability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to diagnose an arboviral infection in an arthropod vector or a mammalian host was examined. Dugbe (DUG) viral RNA was detected in RNA extracts from infected tissue samples by reverse transcription and enzymatic amplification of the resulting cDNA using Taq DNA polymerase, followed by characterisation of the amplified product by agarose gel electrophoresis or dot-blot hybridisation. Viral RNA was detected in the organs and haemolymph of infected Amblyomma variegatum ticks, and in the brain and blood of infected mice. The PCR technique was found to be as sensitive as a plaque assay for detecting DUG virus, but not as sensitive as intracerebral inoculation of mice. The sensitivity of the technique was greatest using crude RNA extracts combined with dot-blot analysis of the resulting PCR products using a DUG specific cDNA probe. A result was obtained within 48 h using PCR whereas biological assays took at least 8 days to diagnose the virus infection.

Animals

RNA probes detect nucleotide sequence homology between members of two different nairovirus serogroups.

Cloned cDNA derived from the small (S) and medium (M) genomic RNA segments of Dugbe (DUG) virus, isolate ArD44313, a member of the Nairobi sheep disease (NSD) serogroup of nairoviruses (family, Bunyaviridae) was used to prepare 32P-labelled DNA and RNA probes. The S and M segments of six isolates of DUG virus all hybridised to both DNA and RNA probes, although the M segment of isolate KT281/75 reacted only weakly. Of nine other nairoviruses tested, representing all the six other serogroups within the Nairovirus genus, none hybridised to the DNA probes. However, under conditions of low stringency, the DUG S and M RNA probes hybridised to the respective S and M segments of Ganjam (GAN) virus (another member of the NSD serogroup). The DUG S RNA probe also hybridised to the S segments of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus and Hazara (HAZ) virus (members of the CCHF serogroup). The indicated sequence relationships between DUG, GAN, CCHF and HAZ viruses show that the NSD serogroup is more closely related to members of the CCHF serogroup than it is to nairoviruses of the other five serogroups.

Animals

The S RNA segment of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus: evidence for an ambisense genome.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the S RNA segment of Sandfly Fever Sicilian (SFS) virus (Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae) was determined from overlapping cDNA clones and by primer extension. The RNA is 1746 nucleotides in length and has two large open reading frames (ORF), one of which (24.8 kDa) is viral-complementary in sense, and the other (30.4 kDa) is in the viral sense. This ambisense genome arrangement has been seen in another member of the Phlebovirus genus, Punta Toro (PT) virus (T. Ihara, H. Akashi, and D. H. L. Bishop, 1984, Virology 136, 293-306), but not in representatives of either the Bunyavirus or Hantavirus genera of the Bunyaviridae. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences for SFS virus with the recognized products of PT S RNA (T. Ihara, Y. Matsuura, and D. H. L. Bishop, 1985, Virology 147, 317-325; H. A. Overton, T. Ihara, and D. H. L. Bishop, 1987, Virology 157, 338-350) indicated that the 24.8-kDa ORF encodes the nucleoprotein (N) of SFS virus, and the 30.4-kDa ORF codes for a nonstructural protein (NSs). Subgenomic messenger RNAs, from which these two proteins are presumably translated, were detected in virus-infected cells.

Amino Acid Sequence