- Volume 78, Issue 1, 1997

Sequence variations are seen in the JC virus promoter/enhancer in virus taken from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) brains and it has been hypothesized that the variations arise in the host at some point in the development of PML. These rearrangements may be adaptations for enhanced growth in glial cells; if so, transcription or replication levels should differ between archetypal and rearranged PML-type promoters. The archetype and four PML-type promoters were analysed in human glial cells for early and late transcriptional activity in the absence or presence of virus T antigen, and for DNA replication. CAT reporter expression differed within a fivefold range and the archetype was intermediate in strength to the PML-type regulatory regions. The archetype differed from rearranged promoters in that the late promoter was less responsive to T antigen and the shift from early to late activity with T antigen was less pronounced. All five regulatory regions demonstrated similar levels of DNA replicating activity. Rearrangement of the archetype was not required for activity in glial cells, but the potential for differences in the regulation of the late capsid genes was found.

The E1 protein of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) is a phosphoprotein which specifically binds and unwinds the virus replication origin by ATP- dependent helicase activity. The E1 protein has been shown to be multiply phosphorylated in vivo, although the sites of modification are incompletely mapped. Examination of the predicted amino acid sequence of all available E1 proteins revealed strong conservation between amino acids 25 and 60 of a motif consisting of a serine residue followed by a stretch of acidic residues. This conserved motif resembled a phosphorylation consensus site for the ubiquitous cellular kinase casein kinase II (CKII). Biochemical and mutational analysis demonstrated that the BPV-1 E1 protein is an in vitro substrate for CKII at the serine within this conserved motif.

The alphaherpesviruses encode major immediate early transactivator proteins that are essential for the expression of later classes of viral genes. We have previously shown that the extensive sequence similarity between the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) members of the family (proteins Vmw175 and VZV140k) extends to function, since a virus which expresses VZV140kin place of Vmw175 is able to grow, albeit at reduced efficiency. We have also shown that the DNA binding characteristics of the isolate d DNA binding domains of Vmw175 and VZV140k are related but distinct. In order to assess whether the different DNA binding properties of the two proteins are responsible for the differences in their individual transcriptional regulatory functions, we constructed a plasmid and an HSV-1 virus in which the VZV140k DNA binding domain coding sequences replace those of Vmw175. The characteristics of the resultant hybrid protein in transfection assays and during virus infection suggest that the nature of the DNA binding domain plays a significant role in the transactivation and repression properties of the Vmw175 family of proteins.

The tegument region of herpes simplex virus type 1 virus particles contains approximately 15 virus- encoded polypeptide species. One of the less abundant species is a 120 kDa protein specified by gene UL37. The abundance of the UL37 protein in infected cells was increased about 20-fold by replacing the native promoter for gene UL37 with the strong immediate early promoter of human cytomegalovirus. This rise in abundance did not induce any detectable increase in the amount of UL37 protein incorporated into virus particles. These data contrast with those previously obtained for a second tegument protein VP22 whose level of incorporation was elevated by increasing its abundance in infected cells. Thus, for the UL37 protein, a mechanism exists to control its abundance in the tegument. Moreover, data obtained with light particles which lack the viral capsid suggest that this controlled incorporation is not directed by interaction with the capsid structure.

We have analysed the ability of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) to induce nitric oxide (NO) production in resting BALB/c mouse peritoneal macrophages. In most experiments, macrophages produced very small amounts of NO upon infection with HSV-2. Mock virus preparations did not induce NO production, and virus inactivation experiments showed that infectious virus was required. Since interferon-γ(IFN-γ) is the prototype cytokine that is able to induce significant NO production in macrophages, we found it of interest to examine the influence of HSV-2 infection on the IFN-γ-induced NO production. The virus exerted a synergistic effect on the IFN-γ-induced NO release, which was accompanied by induction of the iNOS-gene as revealed by RT-PCR. This effect was largely dependent on the presence of infectious virus particles, since only a minor effect was seen with mock virus and inactivated virus preparations. From experiments with neutralizing antibodies to tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and IFN-α/β it was concluded that the synergistic effect is dependent on autocrine secretion of TNF-α, which acts as a second signal and synergizes with IFN-γ in NO production.

We analysed the production of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) during a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a rat model system. Splenocytes from immunocompetent rats infected with rat CMV (RCMV) released increased amounts of TGF-β 1. TGF- β production was also evident in RCMV-infected radiation-immunosuppressed rats; their sera inhibited the interleukin 2-induced proliferation of T cells, which could be restored by anti-TGF-β anti bodies. In addition, TGF-β production could be visualized immunohistologically in the lungs, spleen, liver and bone marrow of radiation-immunosuppressed infected rats. The virus directly induced this cytokine since TGF-β was produced upon RCMV infection in vitro. The induction of TGF-β production may contribute to immunosuppression during CMV infection.

Human parvovirus B19 non-structural (NS) protein is supposed to play a major role in B19 replication and transcription, and therefore in B19 pathogenicity. Constitutive expression of NS protein in stable cell lines has failed so far, presumably because of its cytotoxicity. To avoid this cytotoxic effect, we have cloned the NS gene in an Epstein-Barr virus episomal vector under the control of a steroid inducible promoter (5xGRE) and transfected this construction into HeLa cells. We obtained stable cell lines inducibly expressing high level of NS protein, with 50% of the cells demonstrating specific nucleo-cytoplasmic staining. In Western blot analysis, three B19 NS proteins (72, 68 and 60 kDa) were found but a unique NS transcript was detected by Northern blotting. The NS protein expressed in HeLa cell lines was demonstrated to be functional as it trans-activates the B19 P6 promoter. These cell lines might be major tools for further study and characterization of B19 NS protein.

The complete nucleotide sequence (1759 nt) of the ssDNA genome of porcine circovirus (PCV) was determined from a cloned dsDNA replicative form isolated from PCV-infected cells. Sequence analysis detected no significant nucleic acid or protein similarity with another animal circovirus, chicken anaemia virus (CAV) but, surprisingly, the highest protein similarity was obtained between the product of the largest predicted PCV ORF (ORF1; encoding a potential protein of 35·7 kDa) and a putative protein encoded by the plant circovirus banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). High protein similarity was also detected with the other plant circoviruses subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV) and coconut foliar decay virus (CFDV). This region of protein identity corresponds with the putative plant circovirus replication-associated protein (Rep). The presence of a nonanucleotide sequence at the apex of a potential-stem loop structure, identical to that found in the plant circoviruses CFDV and SCSV and similar (one mismatch) to that found in the plant circovirus BBTV and in the geminiviruses, suggests that rolling-circle replication may operate during PCV DNA replication. These findings show that PCV is unique in that it bridges the gap between animal and plant circoviruses. The taxonomic relationship of PCV with other members of the Circoviridae is discussed.

We have mapped the mRNA transcripts of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) DNA-1. Northern hybridization and 3′ RACE analysis identified two poly-adenylated RNAs associated with BBTV DNA-1. Previously, one major ORF in the virion sense of DNA-1 had been identified, which encoded a putative replication protein (Rep). An mRNA was identified in BBTV infected bananas that was clearly transcribed from this Rep ORF. Further, a second transcript was identified which mapped to an ORF completely within the Rep ORF. This encoded a putative 5 kDa protein of unknown function. Both these transcripts were also identified in a tobacco plant that had been transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a binary construct containing the Rep ORF from BBTV DNA-1. This Rep ORF was inserted 3′ of a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and 5′ of a vegetable storage protein terminator. The transcripts mapped from these tobacco plants were identical at the 3′ end to the transcripts from BBTV infected banana plants. The site of polyadenylation for the Rep ORF was at base 963 immediately 3′ of the translational stop codon confirming that the polyadenylation signals for this transcript were all within the ORF. However, the internal ORF had a large untranslated region of 272 bases with its site of polyadenylation at nucleotide 803 and a polyadenylation signal 3′ of the translational stop codon. A possible upstream termination signal (A/TTGTAA) was identified and was conserved within BBTV DNA-1 sequences from different international isolates.

We recently reported the molecular characterization and functional analysis of an overlapping gene 2b encoded by RNA 2 of the Q strain of cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (Q-CMV). We show here that the homologous gene encoded by the V strain of tomato aspermy cucumovirus (V-TAV) and the WAII strain of CMV (WAII-CMV), which is in a different subgroup to Q-CMV, is also expressed in vivo by demonstrating the accumulation of the mRNA (RNA 4A) and its protein in infected plants. Interestingly, RNA 4A of V-TAV is encapsidated in virions as found previously for Q-CMV whereas WAII-CMV contains very little RNA 4A in virions. As the 2b gene is conserved in all 10 cucumoviral species or strains sequenced to date and the 2b gene is expressed for three of these viruses, we conclude that the 2b gene is a common feature of the Cucumovirus genus.

Potato leafroll luteovirus (PLRV) movement through phloem of PLRV-resistant potato clones was examined in experiments in which stem pieces were grafted either between infected rootstocks and virus-free susceptible scions or between infected scions and virus-free susceptible rootstocks. These test plants permitted either upwards or downwards virus movement into the susceptible tissue. Resistant potato clones had either host gene-mediated resistance (H-MR) or transgene-mediated resistance (T-NR, conferred by transformation with the PLRV coat protein gene) to PLRV accumulation. The rate of PLRV movement was similar whether stem tissue was taken from H-MR, T-MR or susceptible potato clones. Virus movement through two graft unions began around 7 days after grafting and was generally complete by about 14 to 16 days. Virus movement occurred soon after acquiring functional phloem continuity across grafts as demonstrated by tracing with 6(5)-carboxyfluorescein, a phloem-mobile dye. Most of the delay in virus detection after grafting probably resulted from the time necessary to develop new phloem strands across graft unions; subsequent movement of PLRV was rapid suggesting a passive process. PLRV infection was largely excluded from external phloem bundles in stem tissue of clones with either H-MR or T-MR. This trait was less pronounced as tissue aged. The mechanism limiting PLRV invasion of external phloem bundles of the T-MR clones appears to be similar to that operating in the H-MR clones. Results are discussed in the context of a proposed model of PLRV movement.

The nucleotide sequences of part of the nuclear inclusion body b (NIb) gene, the complete coat protein gene and the 3′ untranslated regions of narcissus latent virus (NLV) and Maclura mosaic virus (MacMV) were determined. Deduced amino acid sequences for the NIb and coat protein genes revealed that NLV and MacMV are closely related. Gel analysis and Western blotting of the coat proteins of NLV and MacMV from infected tissue or purified virus indicated that they have molecular masses of 39·5 kDa and 40 kDa (respectively), whereas estimates from deduced amino acid sequences suggested that they have molecular masses of 32·8 kDa and 34·1 kDa. Comparison of the NIb and coat protein sequences with other viruses showed that NLV and MacMV have close affinities with viruses of the Potyviridae and suggests that they should form a new genus of the family.

We have isolated paraspherical viral particles, 60 nm in diameter, from adults of the olive fly (Dacus oleae) collected in Greece. The virus actively replicated in midgut epithelial cells and in advanced infections virions accumulated in microvilli. They were released in the gut lumen and were very abundant in fly faeces. The virions exhibited the salient features of reoviruses, with an external shell and an internal core with a tubular subunit protruding at each vertex of the icosahedron. The viral genome consisted of ten segments of doublestranded RNA totalling 23·4 kbp. Based on its overall properties, this virus can be considered as a nonoccluded insect reovirus.

The genome structure of a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) isolated from the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (MacoNPV) was analysed with six restriction endo-nucleases (REN): Bam HI, Eco RI, Hin dIII, Pst I, Sma I, and Xho I. More than 70 MacoNPV REN fragments were cloned into plasmids pUC18 and pBluescript SK( + ). The physical map with 112 restriction sites for the above REN was constructed using double digests and Southern blot hybridization analysis of the MacoNPV DNA clones. The size of the DNA genome of the MacoNPV-90/2 isolate used for this study was estimated at 156 kbp based on REN fragment sizes. The position of the polyhedrin gene, which has by convention been used as the zero point of the REN maps of NPV, was determined by hybridizing the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus Hin dIII-V fragment clone, which contains most of the polyhedrin gene, with genomic blots of MacoNPV. The cloned MacoNPV fragments identified as containing the polyhedrin gene were sequenced and an ORF coding for a 246 amino acid polypeptide with 98·7% sequence identity with Panolis flammea nucleopolyhedrovirus (PaflNPV) polyhedrin protein was identified. The putative polyhedrin gene sequence had 97·2% and 91·2% identity with the PaflNPV and Mamestra brassicae multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus polyhedrin gene sequences, respectively, and also contained an upstream region identical to the highly conserved 12 bp consensus sequence TGTAAGTAATTT typical of NPV very late genes.

Attempts to develop baculovirus-based insecticides by insertion of genes encoding enzyme inhibitors, neuropeptides or toxins have met with some success. However, it is often difficult to ensure correct processing or secretion of the encoded peptides. Here we tested a simpler strategy by insertion of an antisense fragment of a host gene to block translation of a protein essential for larval growth and development. We selected the c-myc gene for two main reasons: (i) its protein is known to be well conserved in evolution and to have multiple essential functions during development; and (ii) c-myc family genes have yet to be characterized in insects, thus blockage of essential genes by antisense transcripts from a strong virus promoter could provide a sensitive test for the existence of myc-like gene products. An appropriate fragment of the human c-myc gene was inserted downstream from the polyhedrin promoter of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus and tested in bioassays on Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Western blot analysis with a human c-myc antibody revealed an endogenous protein band which bound specifically to these antibodies. This band disappeared more rapidly from cells infected with the antisense c-myc recombinant virus than from those infected with c-myc-negative virus. Results of bioassays showed that the antisense construct stopped feeding as soon as the polyhedrin promoter-driven transcripts accumulated, followed shortly by death of the larvae. These results suggest that c-myc-like protein(s) exist in insects and that the antisense strategy is an effective approach to virus insecticide production.

The molecular basis of differences among scrapie strains is unknown. The prion theory posits that there are differences in the conformation of the host protease-resistant protein (PrP) molecules and that these differences are responsible for scrapie strains. A corollary of this theory is that the origin of host PrP variation resides in different neuronal cell types. To assess this concept, preparations from three brain regions (cerebrum, cerebellum and olfactory bulb) and from spleen were passaged in C57BL mice by intracerebral injection. After three passages of three scrapie strains in this manner, homogenates of each brain region and spleen were tested for several of the characteristics that distinguish the three strains: (1) the rank order of incubation periods in C57BL mice, (2) induction of obesity in SJL mice and (3) comparative incubation periods in mice with three genotypes for the scrapie incubation period marker. Analysis revealed that virtually all of the criteria that distinguished the three strains prior to passages of the three brain regions and spleen were retained after this series of passages. This finding argues against cellular-based PrP differences providing a basis for strain specificity.