-
Volume 106,
Issue 5,
2025
Volume 106, Issue 5, 2025
- Animal
-
- RNA Viruses
-
-
The impact of pre-existing immunity on the emergence of within-host immune-escape mutations in Omicron lineages
More LessThe Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 circulating amongst highly immunized populations is anticipated to induce immunological pressures, potentially compromising existing immunity. This study investigates vaccine-induced immunity’s impact on within-host diversity of Omicron variants and evaluates sub-consensus mutations at spike protein antigenic sites. Next-generation sequencing assessed the within-host diversity of 728 Omicron-positive samples (421 vaccinated; 307 unvaccinated). Quantitative analysis revealed limited vaccine impact, regardless of lineage, vaccine type or doses. Non-lineage mutations (39, 33 and 25 in BA.2*, BA.4* and BA.5* lineages, respectively) were detected, some showing higher incidence in vaccinated individuals. Six mutations detected at sub-consensus levels at antigenic sites suggest increased immune pressure on the spike protein in vaccinated individuals. Four high-prevalence antigenic mutations, absent from global GISAID sequences, were identified. Although within-host diversity did not significantly differ between vaccination statuses, detected mutations suggest that vaccine-induced immunity may influence within-host mutation patterns.
-
- Retroviruses
-
-
The identification of a novel interaction site for the human immunodeficiency virus capsid on nucleoporin 153
More LessHuman immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) can infect non-dividing cells by passing through the selective permeability barrier of the nuclear pore complex. The viral capsid is essential for successfully delivering the HIV-1 genome into the nucleus. Nucleoporin 153 (NUP153) interacts with the HIV-1 capsid via a C-terminal capsid-binding motif (hereafter named CbM.1) to licence HIV-1 nuclear ingress. Deletion or mutation of CbM.1 in NUP153 causes a reduction in capsid interaction but does not prevent HIV-1 nuclear ingress or completely block capsid interaction. This paper combines molecular modelling with biochemical and HIV infection assays to identify capsid-binding motif 2 (CbM.2) in the C-terminus of NUP153 that is similar in sequence to CbM.1. CbM.2 has an FG dipeptide motif predicted to interact with a hydrophobic pocket in capsid protein (CA) hexamers similar to CbM.1. CA hexamers can interact with CbM.2, and the deletion of both CbM.1 and CbM.2 results in a lower capsid interaction than a single CbM.1 deletion. The loss of CbM.1 is complemented by CbM.2, an interaction dependent on the FG motif. In the context of the nuclear pore complex, a loss-of-function mutation in CbM.1 reduces HIV nuclear ingress as measured by transduction and 2-LTR circles, whereas the mutation of CbM.2 causes a large increase in 2-LTR circles. Our results highlighted a previously unidentified FG dipeptide-containing motif (CbM.2) in NUP153 that binds the HIV-1 capsid at the common hydrophobic pocket on CA hexamers.
-
- Insect viruses
-
-
-
Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for the rapid detection of Alongshan virus
More LessAlongshan virus (ALSV) is a recently discovered tick-borne zoonotic virus. Currently, there is no rapid and accurate clinical method for ALSV detection. This study aimed to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for precise ALSV infection detection. Specific primers were designed based on the S1 segment of the ALSV NE-TH4 strain’s genome (GenBank accession no. ON408067.1). The reaction time, temperature and concentration of the neutral red staining solution in the LAMP assay were optimized. Thorough evaluations of specificity, sensitivity and repeatability led to the development of a visually interpretable LAMP assay. The optimal amplification time was 50 min. The minimum detection limit for cDNA was as low as 0.005 pg μl−1, and sensitivity for standards was 1.68×103 copies per μl, surpassing that of PCR and real-time PCR. No cross-reactivity was observed with Jingmen tick virus, Bole tick virus 4 and Beiji nairovirus. These results indicate that the LAMP assay is more sensitive and accurate than PCR and real-time PCR. The developed LAMP assay allows for on-site detection, reduces testing costs and provides rapid and accurate results. Thus, it lays a solid foundation for the prevention and control of emerging tick-borne ALSV.
-
-
-
-
Functional analysis of BmTsp.C in modulating infection of BmNPV through apoptosis pathways in domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori)
More LessThe silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a crucial model insect in agriculture and biological research. Tetraspanins, known for their effects in regulating cellular functions like cell signalling, adhesion, migration and diffusion, take on a crucial role in viral dynamics, influencing both viral spread and entry into host cells. In this study, a tetraspanin gene called BmTsp.C from the silkworm genome was identified and investigated. Tissue profiles showed that BmTsp.C has the highest transcription level in midgut, with a marked increase following viral infection. The immunofluorescence localization suggested that BmTsp.C is primarily distributed on the cell membrane. Additionally, overexpression of BmTsp.C in BmN cells facilitated the proliferation of BmNPV. Meanwhile, siRNA-mediated knockdown of BmTsp.C could inhibit viral proliferation. In addition, knockdown of BmTsp.C at the individual level further validated the remarkable effect of BmTsp.C during viral infestation. Furthermore, overexpression of BmTsp.C could regulate the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Results from flow cytometry indicated a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells after overexpression of BmTsp.C. Taken together, our results demonstrated that BmTsp.C, as an important factor in the Tetraspanin-enriched microdomains, exerts a significant influence on the proliferation of BmNPV, most likely through the cellular apoptosis pathway.
-
-
-
An aegerolysin-like protein from Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h) shows immune suppression and antibacterial activity
More LessAegerolysins are lipid-binding proteins associated with multiple functions, including membrane pore-formation, insecticidal toxicity and defence against predators. Whilst distributed over the kingdoms of the Tree of Life, ascoviruses are the only representative viruses that encode an aegerolysin-like protein. Ascoviruses are entomopathogenic and possess a large dsDNA genome. The present study aimed to functionally characterize the aegerolysin-like protein of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h), encoded by ORF85, and to explore its potential roles in the interaction between the ascovirus and its host. Our results demonstrate the importance of this species-specific protein to HvAV-3h replication in host cells. In vivo, silencing of this gene for 12–72 h significantly increased the expression of some innate immunity-associated genes, including Toll (114-fold), IMD (44.7-fold) and Hopscotch (22.9-fold). In parallel, we detected significant gradual increases in MyD88 and Relish and decreases in PIAS. Moreover, histopathological analyses of infected larval tissues indicated reduced tissue damage after 72 h of ORF85 gene silencing. The prokaryotic expression of the HvAV-3h aegerolysin, followed by feeding to third-instar Spodoptera exigua larvae for 24 or 48 h led to significant reductions in larval weight. Moreover, the in vitro treatment demonstrated a bactericidal action against Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus, a bacterial resident of some insect guts. Overall, our findings suggest that the protein encoded by ORF85 is associated with the pathogenicity of HvAV-3h and its ability to replicate in host cells. Additionally, aegerolysin may inhibit or kill specific bacterial species in the host microbiome during infection, potentially modulating the host immune response.
-
- Fungal viruses
-
-
-
Novel endornaviruses infecting Phytophthora cactorum that attenuate vegetative growth, promote sporangia formation and confer hypervirulence to the host oomycete
More LessTwo novel endornaviruses were found in Phytophthora cactorum isolated from black lesions on Boehmeria nivea var. nipononivea plants in a Japanese forest. These two endornaviruses were named Phytophthora cactorum alphaendornavirus 4 (PcAEV4) and Phytophthora cactorum alphaendornavirus 5 (PcAEV5) and have site-specific nick structures in their positive RNA strands, which are hallmarks of alphaendornaviruses. Ribavirin and cycloheximide treatment of the protoplasts effectively cured the host oomycete (strain Kara1) of the viruses. The resultant virus-free strain (Kara1-C) displayed abundant mycelial growth with less zoosporangia formation as compared to the Kara1 strain. Remarkably, the Kara1-C strain exhibited a reduced ability to form black lesions on B. nivea leaves, suggesting that the presence of PcAEV4 and PcAEV5 in the Kara1 strain led to enhanced virulence in host plants. Under osmotic pressure and cell wall synthesis inhibition, the Kara1 strain exhibited less growth inhibition compared with the Kara1-C strain. In contrast, the Kara1 strain showed more growth inhibition in the presence of membrane-permeable surfactant compared with the Kara1-C strain, indicating that the two endornaviruses can alter the susceptibility of the host oomycete to abiotic stresses. Co-localization and cell fractionation analyses showed that PcAEV4 and PcAEV5 localized to intracellular membranes, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum membrane fraction. Furthermore, infection with these two endornaviruses was found to affect the host’s response to exogenous sterols, which enhanced vegetative growth and zoosporangia formation, as well as virulence of the host oomycete. These results provide insights into the effects of endornavirus infection in Phytophthora spp. and also highlight the usefulness of protoplast-based methods in advancing Phytophthora virus studies.
-
-
Volumes and issues
-
Volume 107 (2026)
-
Volume 106 (2025)
-
Volume 105 (2024)
-
Volume 104 (2023)
-
Volume 103 (2022)
-
Volume 102 (2021)
-
Volume 101 (2020)
-
Volume 100 (2019)
-
Volume 99 (2018)
-
Volume 98 (2017)
-
Volume 97 (2016)
-
Volume 96 (2015)
-
Volume 95 (2014)
-
Volume 94 (2013)
-
Volume 93 (2012)
-
Volume 92 (2011)
-
Volume 91 (2010)
-
Volume 90 (2009)
-
Volume 89 (2008)
-
Volume 88 (2007)
-
Volume 87 (2006)
-
Volume 86 (2005)
-
Volume 85 (2004)
-
Volume 84 (2003)
-
Volume 83 (2002)
-
Volume 82 (2001)
-
Volume 81 (2000)
-
Volume 80 (1999)
-
Volume 79 (1998)
-
Volume 78 (1997)
-
Volume 77 (1996)
-
Volume 76 (1995)
-
Volume 75 (1994)
-
Volume 74 (1993)
-
Volume 73 (1992)
-
Volume 72 (1991)
-
Volume 71 (1990)
-
Volume 70 (1989)
-
Volume 69 (1988)
-
Volume 68 (1987)
-
Volume 67 (1986)
-
Volume 66 (1985)
-
Volume 65 (1984)
-
Volume 64 (1983)
-
Volume 63 (1982)
-
Volume 62 (1982)
-
Volume 61 (1982)
-
Volume 60 (1982)
-
Volume 59 (1982)
-
Volume 58 (1982)
-
Volume 57 (1981)
-
Volume 56 (1981)
-
Volume 55 (1981)
-
Volume 54 (1981)
-
Volume 53 (1981)
-
Volume 52 (1981)
-
Volume 51 (1980)
-
Volume 50 (1980)
-
Volume 49 (1980)
-
Volume 48 (1980)
-
Volume 47 (1980)
-
Volume 46 (1980)
-
Volume 45 (1979)
-
Volume 44 (1979)
-
Volume 43 (1979)
-
Volume 42 (1979)
-
Volume 41 (1978)
-
Volume 40 (1978)
-
Volume 39 (1978)
-
Volume 38 (1978)
-
Volume 37 (1977)
-
Volume 36 (1977)
-
Volume 35 (1977)
-
Volume 34 (1977)
-
Volume 33 (1976)
-
Volume 32 (1976)
-
Volume 31 (1976)
-
Volume 30 (1976)
-
Volume 29 (1975)
-
Volume 28 (1975)
-
Volume 27 (1975)
-
Volume 26 (1975)
-
Volume 25 (1974)
-
Volume 24 (1974)
-
Volume 23 (1974)
-
Volume 22 (1974)
-
Volume 21 (1973)
-
Volume 20 (1973)
-
Volume 19 (1973)
-
Volume 18 (1973)
-
Volume 17 (1972)
-
Volume 16 (1972)
-
Volume 15 (1972)
-
Volume 14 (1972)
-
Volume 13 (1971)
-
Volume 12 (1971)
-
Volume 11 (1971)
-
Volume 10 (1971)
-
Volume 9 (1970)
-
Volume 8 (1970)
-
Volume 7 (1970)
-
Volume 6 (1970)
-
Volume 5 (1969)
-
Volume 4 (1969)
-
Volume 3 (1968)
-
Volume 2 (1968)
-
Volume 1 (1967)
Most Read This Month
Most cited Most Cited RSS feed
-
-
-
-
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Rhabdoviridae 2022
Peter J. Walker, Juliana Freitas-Astúa, Nicolas Bejerman, Kim R. Blasdell, Rachel Breyta, Ralf G. Dietzgen, Anthony R. Fooks, Hideki Kondo, Gael Kurath, Ivan V. Kuzmin, Pedro Luis Ramos-González, Mang Shi, David M. Stone, Robert B. Tesh, Noël Tordo, Nikos Vasilakis, Anna E. Whitfield and ICTV Report Consortium
-
- More Less