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Biomedical subjects

D H Bishop

Publications and source records attributed to D H Bishop.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification and analysis of the gag-pol ribosomal frameshift site of feline immunodeficiency virus.

The pol genes of retroviruses are translated as gag-pol fusion proteins by ribosomal frameshifting within the gag-pol overlap region. During the ribosomal frameshift event, the gag open reading frame is shifted -1 nt to allow in-phase reading of the pol open reading frame. A consensus frameshift signal sequence of GGGAAAC within the gag-pol overlap region of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) has been identified followed by a sequence that has the potential for a pseudoknot tertiary structure. Using recombinant baculoviruses in which the frameshift occurs efficiently, the consensus sequence has been shown to be the site of the frameshift event. A mutation creating a termination codon just downstream of the putative frameshift signal sequence but upstream of the potential pseudoknot structure made a shorter gag product, but did not affect the efficiency of frameshifting. A mutation creating a termination codon just upstream of the putative frameshift signal made a shorter product and essentially abrogated frameshifting. Mutations in the first stem or the second stem in the potential pseudoknot structure severely reduced the frameshifting efficiency. Mutations which altered the length between the frameshift signal and the pseudoknot structure (the so-called spacer region) also reduced the frameshift efficiency. The insertion of a palindromic sequence, which could form a hairpin structure just upstream of the frameshift signal sequence, also affected the frameshifting. These results support the view that the ribosomal frameshift event in the FIV gag-pol region involves the identified signal sequence and appears to require the precisely positioned downstream sequence and indicated pseudoknot structure for efficient frameshifting.

Animals

Baculovirus-expressed rabies virus M1 protein is not phosphorylated: it forms multiple complexes with expressed rabies N protein.

The rabies N, M1, M2, and G antigens have been expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells from single gene expression vectors or dual gene vectors (N/M1 or M2/G) using the baculovirus system. Although N protein was phosphorylated, no evidence for M1 phosphorylation was obtained. N-M1 complexes were formed in vivo using dual infections or the coexpression vectors, as well as in vitro in mixing experiments. The free or complexed rabies N and M1 proteins reacted with available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. By sedimentation analyses the N-M1 complexes were shown to exist in multiple configurations.

Baculoviridae

Non-random reassortment between the tripartite RNA genomes of La Crosse and snowshoe hare viruses.

The process of reassortment between the tripartite RNA genomes (segments designated L, M and S) of snowshoe hare and La Crosse bunyaviruses (Bunyaviridae) has been investigated by polymerase chain reaction analysis of greater than 250 progeny recovered at 72 h post-infection from dual wild-type virus infections involving high multiplicities (approximately 5) of each virus in a BHK-21 cell line. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that RNA segment reassortment was not random, and for these two viruses the data appeared to fit the hypothesis that there was a preference for homologous L-M and M-S associations among the progeny formed.

Animals

Incidence of feline immunodeficiency virus reactive antibodies in free-ranging lions of the Kruger National Park and the Etosha National Park in southern Africa detected by recombinant FIV p24 antigen.

Lion sera from the Kruger National Park (KNP) dating back to 1977 and from the Etosha National Park (ENP), obtained from 1989 to 1991, have been analysed by ELISA and Western blot analyses using a genetically engineered antigen representing the p24 structural protein of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). It was concluded that some 83% of 98 KNP lion sera reacted with the p24 antigen, while none of 28 ENP lion sera reacted. A few other KNP felids (cheetahs and genets) gave samples that did not react with the FIV p24 antigen. For the KNP lions, apart from a lower prevalence in cubs (50%), no particular trends were demonstrated in terms of age, sex, date or origins of the samples. In Western blot and radio-immunoprecipitation analyses the lion sera reacted with the engineered p24 antigen, as well as with the p15 and p24 gag proteins and the p50 gag precursor protein from FIV, indicating that the agent is probably a lentivirus related to FIV. The ELISA with the engineered p24 antigen required less serum and appears to be more sensitive at detecting FIV-reactive antibodies than assays with available commercial kits.

Africa, Southern

Secretion of biologically active leech hirudin from baculovirus-infected insect cells.

The thrombin inhibitor, hirudin, from the leech Hirudo Medicinalis, is the most powerful natural anticoagulant known. It has been characterized as a polypeptide of 65 amino acids which exhibits its anticoagulant properties by binding tightly and specifically to alpha-thrombin. The potency and specificity of hirudin have generated interest on its possible use in the treatment or prophylaxis of various thrombotic diseases. We have used the baculovirus expression system to efficiently produce active hirudins in insect cells. The Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus has proved useful as a helper-independent viral expression vector for high-level production of recombinant proteins in cultured insect cells. Hirudin variants (HV1 and HV2) were produced in infected insect cells as secreted proteins by joining their coding sequences to the leader peptide sequence of the vescicular stomatitis virus G protein. The recombinant products were biologically active and, interestingly, N-terminal sequencing of HV1 revealed that the heterologous leader peptide is correctly removed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Sequences and coding strategies of the S RNAs of Toscana and Rift Valley fever viruses compared to those of Punta Toro, Sicilian Sandfly fever, and Uukuniemi viruses.

The sequences and coding strategies of the S RNAs of two viruses, Toscana (TOS) and the M12 derivative of Rift Valley fever ZH-548 (RVF, Phlebovirus genus, Bunyaviridae) have been determined from cDNA clones and compared to the previously published sequences of Punta Toro (PT), Sandfly fever Sicilian (SFS), and Uukuniemi (UUK) viruses. All five viruses exhibit an ambisense coding strategy for their small (S) RNA species, i.e., one gene product (the NSs protein) is encoded in the 5' half of the viral RNA, a second (the N protein) is encoded in the sequence complementary to the 3' half. The terminal nucleotides of the S RNAs of the five viruses are comparable through 13-14 residues. The 3' and 5' ends of these S RNAs have inverted complementary compositions. Three phleboviruses (TOS, SFS, and RVFV) exhibit comparable G-rich, centrally located intergenic sequences, albeit of different lengths. These sequences have a number of similar motifs at, or immediately following, the end of the coding regions, motifs that may be involved in their S mRNA transcription termination processes. The other two viruses (UUK, PT) have AT-rich intergenic sequences that have the potential to form secondary structure. They lack the G-rich sequences or particular sequence motifs recognized in the other three virus RNAs. The deduced sizes of the TOS and RVFV N proteins are 27,704 and 27,430 kDa (respectively). Their NSS proteins are 36,677 and 29,903 kDa (respectively). When aligned, the deduced sequences of the N proteins of the five viruses exhibit homologies ranging from 54 to 30%. The order of homology to RVFV N protein is PT greater than TOS greater than SFS greater than UUK; to TOS N protein it is PT greater than or equal to RVF greater than SFS greater than UUK. The sequences of the NSS proteins are less similar, with values ranging from 30 to less than 17%. The order of homology to RVFV NSS is SFS greater than PT greater than TOS greater than UUK. Due to these more distant relationships, the homologies to TOS NSS protein are less clear.

Amino Acid Sequence

Analyses of the requirements for the synthesis of virus-like particles by feline immunodeficiency virus gag using baculovirus vectors.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) gag gene was expressed in baculovirus vectors to investigate its potential for the assembly of virus-like particles. The unprocessed 50-kDa FIV gag precursor made in infected insect cells by recombinant AcFIVGAG-1 was myristoylated, assembled at the cell surface into virus-like particles (with diameters of approximately 100 nm), and efficiently released into the culture supernatant fluids. The presence of the complete viral-coded protease component of the FIV pol gene engineered into a second expression vector (AcFIVGAG-P5) resulted in the efficient processing of the gag precursor to its component proteins and abolished particle formation and secretion. Insertion of a stop codon in this vector upstream of the putative gag-pol frameshift site (GGGAAAC) resulted in the derivation of an expression vector (AcFIVGAG-R) that made a truncated, unprocessed 46-kDa FIV gag precursor lacking some 34 amino acids in the p10 carboxy-proximal coding region of gag. This vector synthesized tubular structures in the cytoplasm of infected cells and released them into the cell supernatant. The results demonstrate that the FIV gag precursor can spontaneously assemble into virus-like particles without any other virus proteins and that the carboxy-terminal part of the precursor gag protein is essential for such assembly.

Animals

Identification of conserved and variable regions in the envelope glycoprotein sequences of two feline immunodeficiency viruses isolated in Zurich, Switzerland.

The nucleotide sequences of the envelope (env) coding regions of two strains of the feline immunodeficiency virus isolated in Zurich, Switzerland (FIVZ1, FIVZ2) have been analysed. In addition, the complete sequence of the FIVZ1 isolate has been determined. Comparisons have been made with the previously published sequences of three North American isolates (PPR and the Petaluma strains FIV34TF10 and FIV14). The isolate FIVZ1 was very similar to the Petaluma strains of FIV and may represent a clonal derivative acquired by 'contamination'. Overall there are between 2.6% and 15.1% amino acid changes in the env gene products of the five isolates. Of the Zurich isolates, FIVZ2 exhibited the greatest divergence to the other viruses and based on its genotype, phenotype and origins probably represents a new isolate of FIV. Possibly the viruses diverged only recently from a common ancestor. Some 31 of the 33 cysteine residues and 17 of the 21 potential N-linked glycosylation sites of the FIV34TF10 env gene product were conserved among all five isolates. The open reading frame 3 (ORF3, or D) which overlaps the env gene (but is encoded in a different frame) has an ATG codon downstream of a potential splice acceptor site in all five isolates, supporting the view that it encodes a viral gene product. In ORF3 of FIVZ1 a stop codon was located 16 amino acids upstream of the stop codon of ORF3 of the other isolates. The ORF4 (or G) of isolate FIVZ2, thought to be the second coding exon of an FIV rev-like gene, contained a nucleotide deletion in amino acid 45 of ORF4, resulting in a--1 frameshift at this position. Comparison of the LTR sequences of the five isolates identified conserved promoter/enhancer elements. A potential stem-loop structure was identified in the R region of the LTRs of all the isolates, despite the heterogeneity of nucleotide sequences in that region. Such structures (TAR) are present in analogous regions of other lentiviruses and are responsible for tat-mediated trans-activation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Transcriptional analyses of baculovirus polyhedrin and foreign gene expression relative to baculovirus p10 mRNA levels.

Comparisons have been made between the p10 and polyhedrin mRNA levels recovered from Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). In molar terms and from 18 h post-infection (p.i.), the polyhedrin mRNA species increased to levels one and a half times to twice as high as the p10 levels. The influence of the polyhedrin leader sequence on the expression of a foreign gene under the control of the polyhedrin promoter was investigated using a series of four recombinant baculoviruses expressing the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus nucleocapsid (N) protein gene. The different recombinants varied in the length and composition of the upstream polyhedrin mRNA leader sequence. The recombinant containing the full-length polyhedrin leader sequence gave levels of N mRNA comparable to those of AcNPV polyhedrin mRNA. These levels were either equal to (12 h p.i.) or higher (18 to 42 h p.i.) than the p10 levels at corresponding times. Three other recombinants, with different lengths of leader sequence, accumulated significantly lower quantities of N mRNA in comparison to the p10 mRNA levels. However the mRNA levels for the three recombinants were similar (20 to 50% of the p10 level) and did not correspond to their N protein expression levels. By comparing the mRNA and protein levels, it is concluded that the sequence between -8 to +1 of the AcNPV polyhedrin translation-initiating ATG has an important function for mRNA transcription (or accumulation), while the sequences between -32 to -8 affect the overall translation efficiencies.

Animals

Expression of the tobacco mosaic virus movement protein using a baculovirus expression vector.

A cDNA clone of the tobacco mosaic virus 30K movement protein (MP) gene was constructed and introduced into an Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis baculovirus expression vector. Infection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells with the vector resulted in the synthesis of low levels of MP, which was detected by anti-MP serum as two closely related species of Mr approximately 34K and a third species of 32K. The authenticity of the recombinant MP was confirmed by comparison of the protein, on the basis of migration during SDS-PAGE, with authentic MP from several sources. It appeared that the recombinant MP was not modified by N-linked glycosylation, but was phosphorylated. The recombinant MP was produced in both a phosphorylated and an unphosphorylated state and the former species was shown to comigrate with plant-expressed MP during SDS-PAGE.

Animals

Expression, characterization, and purification of a phosphorylated rabies nucleoprotein synthesized in insect cells by baculovirus vectors.

A baculovirus expression vector (AcNPV3) derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV) was prepared containing the complete coding region of the nucleoprotein (N) gene of rabies virus (Gif-sur-Yvette clone of the CVS strain). The gene was placed under the control of the AcNPV polyhedrin promoter and was expressed to high levels (66 mg N protein/liter of 2 x 10(9) cells) by the derived recombinant virus using a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line. Using available antisera, it was established that the antigenic characteristics of the N protein were similar by comparison with those of the native N protein of rabies virus. Characterization of the expressed protein established that, like the N protein of mammalian cell-grown CVS virus, the N protein was phosphorylated. The expressed rabies N protein induced antibodies in mice that reacted strongly with the rabies viral protein. The expressed nucleoprotein was recovered from the insect cells by differential centrifugation followed by ion exchange chromatography. The expressed rabies N protein represents a source of authentic protein suitable for virus diagnosis as well as structural studies.

Animals

Characterization of baculovirus-expressed Rift Valley fever virus glycoproteins synthesized in insect cells.

A cDNA corresponding to the complete coding region of the M RNA of the M12 mutant of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) strain ZH548 (K. Takehara, M-K. Min, J.K. Battles, K. Sugiyama, V.C. Emery, J.M. Dalrymple, and D.H.L. Bishop, Virology, 169, 452-457, 1989) has been inserted into the baculovirus transfer vector pAcYM1. By comparison with the parent RVFV, the M RNA of the M12 mutant has a new small open reading frame (ORF1) upstream of the one that initiates the precursor of the viral glycoproteins (ORF2, gene order: NS(M)-G2-G1). A derivative of the M12 cDNA was prepared from which most of the upstream sequences (including a polyT tract and ORF1) were removed. Other cDNA constructs were made from this derivative, constructs in which most of the G1 sequences were also removed, or most of the NS(M) coding sequences, or all of the NS(M) and most of G2 coding sequences. Each RVFV M cDNA construct was inserted into a pAcYM1 transfer vector and recombinant baculoviruses were produced (RVM1-5). The derived viruses were employed to study the expression and properties of the RVFV glycoproteins in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells. For each recombinant virus evidence was obtained which indicated that the RVFV glycoproteins were produced and processed in the insect cells. Although four of the recombinants gave low expression levels of the RVFV glycoproteins, for the vector that made only the G1 product, the expression level was significantly higher. Immunofluorescence analyses established that the RVFV glycoproteins were present both at intracellular locations and on the surface of the recombinant baculovirus infected insect cells.

Animals

Physicochemical analysis of the hepatitis B virus core antigen produced by a baculovirus expression vector.

The hepatitis B virus particle consists of an envelope carrying the surface antigen of the virus and an internal capsid consisting of the core antigen (HBcAg). The internal capsid contains the circular, partially dsDNA genome and the viral polymerase. Empty core particles have been produced in Spodoptera frugiperda cells using a recombinant baculovirus vector, YM1KTc, that expresses a 21.4K derivative of the HBcAg gene. The particles have been purified to homogeneity by caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation followed by glycerol gradient centrifugation. Physicochemical analysis of the core particles showed that they exhibited a sedimentation coefficient (s20,(0)w) of 82.5S and a diffusion coefficient (D) of 1.28 x 10(-7) cm2/s. The Mr obtained by substitution of these values in the Svedberg equation was 5.8 x 10(6), using a partial specific volume of 0.73 ml/g for the viral protein as estimated from the amino acid composition. The Mr determined from sedimentation equilibrium analyses was 6.3 x 10(6). Spectrophotometric and metabolic labelling analyses failed to detect nucleic acids in the core preparations. The data are at variance with the prediction that cores exhibit a T = 3 symmetry and contain some 180 subunits. The results suggest that the baculovirus-expressed cores may contain up to 300 subunits of HBcAg protein.

Animals

Heterologous reassortment of bunyaviruses in Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes and transovarial and oral transmission of newly evolved genotypes.

Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes were orally infected with two different California serogroup bunyaviruses (La Crosse and snowshoe hare viruses) and high frequency reassortment occurred in these mosquitoes. Increased viral replication and subsequent gene segment reassortment was noted in the ovaries of mosquitoes that had ingested multiple blood-meals. To determine whether newly generated reassortant viruses could be transmitted transovarially to progeny mosquitoes, adult female mosquitoes were inoculated with the two temperature-sensitive (ts) parental viruses, and allowed to blood-feed and oviposit. Of 58 infected progeny mosquitoes assayed, six (10%) contained non-ts viruses, and three of these transmitted non-ts viruses to a susceptible host. Selected viruses of the non-ts phenotype, which were isolated from mosquitoes and from mice fed upon by the mosquitoes, were demonstrated to be reassortant viruses by oligonucleotide fingerprinting.

Aedes

Anti-viral protection and prevention of lymphocytic choriomeningitis or of the local footpad swelling reaction in mice by immunization with vaccinia-recombinant virus expressing LCMV-WE nucleoprotein or glycoprotein.

The viral antigen specificity of primary cytotoxic T cell responses (CTL) of H-2b, H-2k, H-2q, H-2s, H-2f and some H-2-recombinant mice against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-WE isolate) as well as the specificity of some CTL clones and T cell lines was defined on target cells infected with vaccinia-recombinant virus expressing nucleoprotein (Np) or glycoprotein (Gp). Np was recognized together with H-2q (Dq), H-2d (DLd), H-2s and H-2b (Db). Gp specificity was restricted to H-2f and H-2b (Kb and Db); H-2k-restricted CTL anti-LCMV responses were neither Gp nor Np specific. The anti-viral protective immunity induced by vaccinia-Gp or vaccinia-Np recombinants was evaluated in mice. In vivo protection was T cell mediated by class I restricted Ly-2+ T cells; it correlated well with the CTL specificity defined in vitro. Some of the CTL-nonresponder H-2 allele plus Np or H-2 plus Gp combinations were, however, protected to variable and low degrees by vaccinia-recombinant viruses, indicating that anti-viral protection is a more sensitive readout for CTL activity than the in vitro assay. For example, B10.D2 H-2d mice generated measurable CTL responses only to Np; after immunization with a vaccinia-Np recombinant, LCMV titers were 10(4) times lower in spleens than in vaccinia-primed controls. Although vaccinia-Gp-immunized BALB/c mice revealed no CTL activity in vitro, they nevertheless had 10(2) times lower LCMV titers in spleens than controls. Anti-viral protection, particularly in low-responder combinations, was usually short-lived and diminished after 3 weeks. In a high-responder situation, protection was of a longer duration (greater than 8 weeks). Vaccination with vaccinia-Np or Gp recombinants protected mice against lethal T cell-mediated lymphocytic choriomeningitis induced by LCMV or prevented the local footpad swelling reaction; these in vivo effects were H-2 dependent and followed the identical roles established for CTL recognition in vitro.

Animals

Glycosylation is not required for the fusion activity of the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus in insect cells.

The gene encoding the complete glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV, Indiana serotype G protein) with potential asparagine-linked glycans at amino acid residues 179 and 338 was inserted into a baculovirus transfer vector pAcYM1, derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV). The gene was placed under the control of the AcNPV polyhedrin promotor and expressed by the derived recombinant viruses to high levels in Spodoptera frugiperda cell lines. The principal product was the glycosylated version of the G protein, although some alternative (including probable degradation) forms of the protein were also observed. Similar recombinant viruses were prepared with deletion of one, the other, or both glycosylation sites of the VSV G protein. All forms expressed VSV G protein derivatives and mediated cell fusion and the production of syncytia at low pH. The fusogenic properties of the VSV G protein expressed on the surface of insect cells was prevented using anti-VSV sera, or by elevating the pH above 6.2. A reduction of the pH to 5.5, or 5.0, accelerated the rate of syncytia formation.

Animals