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C D Richardson

Publications and source records attributed to C D Richardson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Synthesis of soluble myelin-associated glycoprotein in insect and mammalian cells.

The myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) has an extracellular domain containing five sequences which are homologous to the immunoglobulin-fold motif. Adhesive interactions mediated by the MAG extracellular domain are involved in the development of the myelin sheath. The MAG cDNA has been modified to introduce a stop codon immediately before the transmembrane domain. Expression of the modified cDNA in insect cells and murine NIH-3T3 cells resulted in secretion of the soluble MAG extracellular domain. Treatment of soluble MAG with glycopeptidase F and endoglycosidase H showed significant differences in glycosylation for the insect and mammalian cell-expression systems. The soluble form of MAG has been purified from insect-cell supernatants by adsorption to a lentil-lectin support. The soluble MAG will provide a powerful new approach for studies of MAG-adhesive interactions during brain development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell surface expression and orientation in membranes of the 44-amino-acid SH protein of simian virus 5.

Antiserum was raised against a synthetic peptide containing the N-terminal hydrophilic domain of the small hydrophobic protein (SH) of simian virus 5 (SV5) and used to characterize properties of the SH protein. SH demonstrated properties of an integral membrane protein. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments showed that the protein is involved in the exocytotic pathway, and isolation of plasma membranes from SV5-infected cells showed an enrichment of SH, indicating that SH is transported to the infected-cell surface. Biochemical analysis of the orientation of SH in membranes by proteolysis of intact SV5-infected cell surfaces and intracellular microsomal vesicles indicated that SH is oriented in membranes with its N-terminal hydrophilic domain exposed on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane and the C terminus of approximately five amino acid residues exposed at the cell surface. These data are discussed with respect to positive-acting signals being necessary in the ectodomain of SH for cell surface expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of cloned measles virus mRNAs by in vitro transcription, translation, and immunoprecipitation.

A cDNA library was constructed from poly(A)+ RNA prepared from VERO cells infected with the Edmonston strain of measles virus. Clones corresponding to five major viral-specific transcripts were identified by northern blot hybridization analysis. Probes prepared from these five clones detected an additional five minor viral RNA transcripts. The sizes and hydridization patterns of these minor RNA species are consistent with their being bicistronic transcripts arising from a viral genomic template with the gene order 3'..NP-9/C-M-F-HA-(L)..5'. To assess the coding capacity of these cDNA clones they were inserted into pSP64, transcribed in vitro, the RNA was translated in reticulocyte lysates, and the protein was immunoprecipitated with specific antisera. From this analysis the genes for NP, P/C, M, F, and HA were identified. In vitro translation of natural mRNAs and SP6 transcripts of cDNAs consistently produced smaller polypeptides that appear to be initiated at internal AUGs. The relative abundance of these various cell-free translation products reflects the probability of translational initiation at the various in-frame AUGs. The patterns observed suggest that other factors besides sequences immediately flanking the AUGs have a significant effect on the selection of translational initiation sites. An increase in translational efficiency of the F transcript was achieved by removing 450 bases of the G-C-rich 5' noncoding region.

Animals↗

Matrix genes of measles virus and canine distemper virus: cloning, nucleotide sequences, and deduced amino acid sequences.

The nucleotide sequences encoding the matrix (M) proteins of measles virus (MV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) were determined from cDNA clones containing these genes in their entirety. In both cases, single open reading frames specifying basic proteins of 335 amino acid residues were predicted from the nucleotide sequences. Both viral messages were composed of approximately 1,450 nucleotides and contained 400 nucleotides of presumptive noncoding sequences at their respective 3' ends. MV and CDV M-protein-coding regions were 67% homologous at the nucleotide level and 76% homologous at the amino acid level. Only chance homology was observed in the 400-nucleotide trailer sequences. Comparisons of the M protein sequences of MV and CDV with the sequence reported for Sendai virus (B. M. Blumberg, K. Rose, M. G. Simona, L. Roux, C. Giorgi, and D. Kolakofsky, J. Virol. 52:656-663; Y. Hidaka, T. Kanda, K. Iwasaki, A. Nomoto, T. Shioda, and H. Shibuta, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:7965-7973) indicated the greatest homology among these M proteins in the carboxyterminal third of the molecule. Secondary-structure analyses of this shared region indicated a structurally conserved, hydrophobic sequence which possibly interacted with the lipid bilayer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bee sting-induced ocular changes.

A six-year-old boy was stung by a bee on his right cornea. A severe conjunctival injection, chemosis, marked corneal edema, and hyphema developed. A partially dislocated lens, partial iris atrophy, and cataract formation were subsequently noted. He was treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Later, the subluxated cataract was removed through the pars plana approach.

Atrophy↗

Influenza virus M2 protein is an integral membrane protein expressed on the infected-cell surface.

The influenza A virus M2 protein is expressed abundantly at the cell surface, and in addition to the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), is a third virus-specific membrane protein. M2 has an internal hydrophobic membrane anchorage domain and associates with the same cellular membrane fractions as HA and NA. Trypsin treatment of infected cells and immunoprecipitation with site-specific antisera indicate that a minimum of 18 NH2-terminal amino acids of M2 are exposed at the cell surface. Ten NH2-terminal residues are conserved in all strains of influenza A virus for which sequences are available. Antibodies can recognize M2 on the cell surface and therefore it may be an infected-cell surface antigen. We discuss properties of M2 that match it to the elusive major target molecule on influenza A virus-infected cells for cross-reactive cytotoxic T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of a cDNA encoding a functional 241-kilodalton vesicular stomatitis virus RNA polymerase.

The large gene, L, of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which codes for the multifunctional RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, was assembled from five overlapping cDNA clones. The sequence of the 6.4-kilobase gene of the final construct was identical to the consensus sequence reported earlier. The gene was inserted into the simian virus 40 transient expression vector pJC119. Antibodies directed against synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino and carboxyl termini of the L protein were raised in rabbits. Both antibodies specifically immunostained the cytoplasm of COS cells that had been transfected with the vector DNA. The expressed L protein was immunoprecipitated from cell extracts and it was identical in size to the L protein of the virion (241 kilodaltons). Most importantly, COS cells that expressed the recombinant L protein transcribed, replicated, and consequently complemented and rescued temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase mutants of VSV at the nonpermissive temperature. The kinetics of virus release were similar to those of a wild-type VSV infection. We conclude that the recombinant RNA polymerase protein L is indistinguishable in its size and its functions from the VSV polymerase.

Animals↗

Measles virus P gene codes for two proteins.

The entirety of the phosphoprotein gene of measles virus has been sequenced. The gene is composed of 1,657 nucleotides and specifies a 507-amino-acid protein (P). A second overlapping reading frame was predicted from the sequence and specifies a 186-amino-acid protein (C). Through the use of antisynthetic peptide antibodies, we show that both proteins are expressed in virally infected cells. Both proteins are expressed from a functionally bicistronic mRNA through independent initiation of ribosomes at the respective AUG codons. Using immunofluorescent microscopy, we localized the C protein in the nucleus and in cytoplasmic inclusions within the infected cells.

Animals↗

Use of antibodies directed against synthetic peptides for identifying cDNA clones, establishing reading frames, and deducing the gene order of measles virus.

A number of cDNA clones complementary to measles virus mRNA and 50S genome RNA have been generated. These clones have been mapped by restriction enzyme analysis and were subsequently sequenced by the method of Maxam and Gilbert (A. M. Maxam and W. Gilbert, Methods Enzymol. 65:499-560, 1980). Computer analysis of these DNA sequences revealed open reading frames which potentially could code for a number of gene products. Portions of these putative polypeptides were synthesized, and rabbit antibodies directed against peptide-hemocyanin conjugates were produced. These antibodies were used to immunoprecipitate virus-specific polypeptides which were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. For each of the antisera tested, a unique protein was precipitated whose migration on polyacrylamide gels corresponded to standard gene products identified by monoclonal antibodies and antisera against measles virus. By using this method, we were able to assign the coding regions of cDNA clones to specific protein products and, subsequently, to order the genes of the 3'-terminal third of measles genome RNA.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Characterization of the influenza virus M2 integral membrane protein and expression at the infected-cell surface from cloned cDNA.

An investigation of properties of the influenza A virus M2 protein indicated that it is synthesized by 2 h postinfection together with other viral polypeptides and is transported to the infected-cell surface with a half-time of approximately 30 to 40 min. The available evidence suggests that M2 is not N-glycosylated even though it contains a potential glycosylation site, and the intracellular pattern of protein distribution includes localization to the Golgi apparatus. Proteolysis of intracellular microsome vesicles followed by immunoprecipitation with antiserum to a synthetic oligopeptide indicated that the M2 protein contains an extensive region of COOH-terminal amino acids exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the infected-cell membrane. A cDNA clone of the M2 mRNA was obtained and expressed in an SV40 recombinant vector. The M2 protein expressed by the vector became associated with the Golgi complex and was found on the surface of vector-infected cells. M2 is antigenically conserved among all strains of influenza virus both in regions exposed on the cell surface and intracellularly.

Cell Membrane↗

Positive identification of a measles virus cDNA clone encoding a region of the phosphoprotein.

A measles virus-specific cDNA clone, C1-G, that was previously assigned as a hemagglutinin-specific clone has been reassigned as a phosphoprotein-specific clone. The nucleotide sequence of C1-G was used to deduce the amino acid sequence. A synthetic peptide was constructed from a portion of the deduced sequence, and antisera were prepared. The antibodies directed against this synthetic peptide specifically precipitated the phosphoprotein of measles virus and not the hemagglutinin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oligopeptides that specifically inhibit membrane fusion by paramyxoviruses: studies on the site of action.

Previous studies from this laboratory showed that oligopeptides with amino acid sequences similar to the sequence of the N-terminal region of the F1 polypeptide of paramyxoviruses inhibited the membrane fusing activity of the F protein, and thereby inhibited virus infectivity at the level of penetration and virus-induced cell fusion and hemolysis. The site of action of these oligopeptide inhibitors has been investigated. Radioactively labeled oligopeptides were found to bind to cells, but not to virus. Pretreatment of cells, but not virus, at 4 degrees with oligopeptides inhibited the initiation of infection and hemolysis induced by measles virus. The binding of the oligopeptides to cells was reversible at 25 or 37 degrees. Oligopeptides were synthesized with a chloromethylketone group to enable them to bind irreversibly, or with an azido group to permit them to be cross-linked in situ by photoactivation. The results with these derivatized oligopeptides, which retained their inhibitory activity, confirmed that they bind to, and express their inhibitory activity on, cells and not virus. The results suggest that the oligopeptides react with receptor sites on the cell membrane and inhibit membrane-fusing activity by competing with the F1 polypeptide for such sites. A Scatchard analysis of the binding of an oligopeptide to CV-1 cells revealed that it bound with a dissociation constant of 1.2 X 10(-7) M and that there were approximately 3.0 X 10(6) binding sites per cell.

Animals↗

Functions of surface glycoproteins of myxoviruses and paramyxoviruses and their inhibition.

Two glycoproteins, HN and F, are present on the surface of paramyxoviruses. HN has receptor-binding amd neuraminidase activities. F is involved in viral penetration, cell fusion and haemolysis and is activated by proteolytic cleavage by a host enzyme into two disulphide-bonded subunits (f1 and F2). The ability of the virus to initiate infection and undergo multiple cycle replication depends on the presence of an activating protease in the host; thus cleavage of F is a major determinant of pathogenesis. The new N-terminus generated on F1 by cleavage is involved in biological activity, and the amino acid sequence of this region of F1 by cleavage is involved in biological activity, and the amino acid sequence of this region of F1 is hydrophobic and highly conserved among para-myxoviruses. In an attempt to design specific inhibitors, oligopeptides and analogous to this region were synthesized and found to be highly active, specific inhibitors of viral penetration, cell fusion and haemolysis. Inhibition is amino-acid-sequence-specific and affected by peptide length, steric configuration and addition of groups to the n-terminal and C-terminal amino acids. Replication of influenza virus was also specifically inhibited by oligopeptides resembling the N-terminus of the HA2 polypeptide. Like that of F1 protein the N-terminus of HA2 is generated by a proteolytic cleavage that activates infectivity. These results have provided information on the action of proteins in viral penetration and membrane fusion and they suggest a possible new approach to chemical inhibition of viral replication. Studies with specific antibodies to each of the paramyxovirus glycoproteins have shown that antibodies to the F protein are essential for effective prevention of the spread of infection. Antibodies to the HN protein, although capable of neutralizing released virus, do not prevent spread to adjacent cells through membrane fusion mediated by the F protein. These findings have implications for the design of effective vaccines against paramyxoviruses and also provided additional insight into the mechanisms involved in the atypical and severe infections observed in individuals who received inactivated paramyxovirus vaccines and were later infected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The functions and inhibition of the membrane glycoproteins of paramyxoviruses and myxoviruses and the role of the measles virus M protein in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

The F glycoprotein of paramyxoviruses is responsible for cell fusion and hemolysis and for virus penetration via fusion of viral and cell membranes. These functions are activated by specific proteolytic cleavage of an inactive precursor (F0) into two disulfide-linked polypeptides (F1 and F2). The susceptibility of the F0 protein to cleavage by a host protease is a major determinant of virus host range and virulence. Synthetic oligopeptides that mimic the N-terminal region of the F1 polypeptide are specific inhibitors of paramyxoviruses, and oligopeptides that mimic the N-terminus of the HA2 polypeptide of influenza virus, also generated by cleavage, specifically inhibit that virus. Antibodies to F protein prevent the spread of paramyxovirus infection via membrane fusion, but antibodies to HN protein do not, although they neutralize released virus. These results and previous findings that formalin-treated virus does not induce antibodies to F protein provide an explanation for atypical measles. The HN protein has both receptor-binding and neuraminidase activities, and Cl- inhibition of neuraminidase may modulate these antagonistic activities. Studies in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) suggest that there is a host restriction of synthesis of the M protein of measles virus in brain cells which is involved in the abortive, persistent infection that causes SSPE.

Antibodies, Viral↗

The effect of colchicine and dibucaine on the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus.

The effect of colchicine, Nocodazole, and dibucaine on the assembly of Semliki Forest virus was investigated. Colchicine, Nocodazole, and dibucaine reduced the production of extracellular virus by 75 to 90%. Lumicolchicine had no effect on virus growth. Other control experiments showed no effect by these drugs on the incorporation of [3H]leucine into material precipitated by trichloroacetic acid. Colchicine (100 micron) disrupted the microtubles of the baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21), whereas dibucaine did not alter microtubule polymerization. The stage of virus assembly inhibited by colchicine and dibucaine was studied by experiments with [3H]-leucine or [35S]methionine. At various times after addition of one of these drugs, the incorporation of the labeled precursors into viral proteins associated with fractions enriched for endoplasmic reticulum or plasma membrane from the cell was evaluated. The results clearly show that the envelope and nucleocapsid proteins of the virus move to the plasma membrane of the cell where they accumulate. The studies strongly suggest that the cytoskeletal system is involved in the final stages of morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus from the plasma membrane.

Cell Membrane↗

Chemical cross-linking of proteins of Semliki Forest virus: virus particles and plasma membranes from BHK-21 cells treated with colchicine or dibucaine.

Chemical cross-linking of the proteins of Semliki Forest virus has been performed in virus particles and in baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cells infected with Semliki Forest virus. Most of the studies were done with the reversible cross-linkers dimethyl 3,3'-thiobis(propionimidate) and dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). The identity of the cross-linked species was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The results with virus particles showed extensive cross-linking of the nucleocapsid proteins and the formation of dimers of the two large envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2). Similar patterns for the cross-linked virus proteins were observed in plasma membranes isolated from BHK-21 cells infected with Semliki Forest virus. No cross-linking of the third envelope glycoprotein (E3) was observed. Also, there was no evidence for significant cross-linking between host and virus proteins. The addition of colchicine, a drug that disrupts microtubules, to infected BHK-21 cells had no effect on the cross-linking of virus proteins in the plasma membrane. In contrast, dibucaine, a local anesthetic, greatly inhibited the formation of envelope dimers (E1-E2) in plasma membranes, but not in virus particles. The implication of these results for the involvement of the cytoskeletal system in the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus is discussed.

Cell Line↗

Biochemical evidence that Semliki Forest virus obtains its envelope from the plasma membrane of the host cell.

The data from chemical studies and electron microscopy suggest that Semliki Forest virus obtains its envelope by budding into the medium from the plasma membrane of the host cell. Biochemical evidence for this phenomenon, however, has not been published. Therefore, we undertook a series of pulse-chase studies so that we might quantitatively evaluate the importance of the budding mechanism in the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus. Baby hamster kidney cells (clone 13) were grown in culture and infected with Semliki Forest virus. The cells were exposed to [4,5-3H] leucine for 20 min and the subsequent incorporation of the label into virus proteins associated with cytoplasmic membranes and extracellular virus was determined. Initial experiments were conducted with microsomes and a precursor-product relationship was demonstrated between viral proteins in the microsomes and in extracellular virus. Further studies were performed with endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane preparations. Maximal incorporation of [3H] leucine was observed in the viral proteins located in the endoplasmic reticulum at the end of a 20-min pulse period; greater than 50% of this activity had disappeared within 2 h. The plasma membrane fraction contained no radioactivity at the end of the pulse period; subsequently, maximal labeling of the viral proteins in the plasma membrane occurred 4 h into the chase period and these labeled proteins had disappeared from this membrane 11 h after the pulse. At this time maximal incorporation of the labeled proteins into extracellular virus was observed. These data are consistent with a precursor-product relationship between the viral proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum which migrate to the plasma membrane and are subsequently incorporated into extracellular virus. All the radioactivity in the extracellular virus appears to have been derived from viral proteins associated with the plasma membrane of the cell. Therefore, mechanisms for the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus (in baby hamster kidney cells), other than budding from the plasma membrane, are unlikely to be of quantitative importance.

Cell Fractionation↗