载体表达的siRNA分子对猪圆环病毒2型复制的抑制作用

[目的]寻找一种基于RNA干扰技术的猪圆环病毒2型感染的防控方法.[方法]根据猪圆环病毒2型毒株基因组核苷酸序列,设计了3条特异性小干扰RNA(short interfering RNA,siRNA)分子,其中2条针对猪圆环病毒1型和2型复制酶基因(rep),1条针对猪圆环病毒2型核衣壳蛋白基因(cap),将合成的DNA片段退火形成双链,分别连接到RNAi-Ready pSIREN-RetroQ ZsGreen载体鼠源U6启动子下游,转化大肠杆菌得到阳性克隆,测序鉴定后分别命名为Retro-SH1,Retro-SH4,Retro-SH6.用上述质粒转染PCV2感染前、后的Dulac细胞及肌肉注射PCV2感染前、后的BALB/c小鼠,应用实时定量PCR试验评价其对病毒在细胞及小鼠体内复制的抑制作用,免疫组化法检测脾脏中病毒的存在.[结果]感染PCV2前或后转染500 ng Retro-SH1,Retro-SH4,Retro-SH6质粒能有效抑制PCV2在Dulac细胞上的复制,抑制率最高可达99%以上,对10株不同来源的临床分离株在细胞中复制的抑制作用同样明显,且不同毒株间差异不大.动物试验中,肌肉注射10μg上述不同siRNA分子对小鼠体内PCV2的复制有一定的抑制作用,其抑制率在26%至99%之间.[结论]载体表达的siRNA分子可能成为防控猪圆环病毒2型感染的一种新工具.     

简化cDNA末端快速扩增技术测定基因Ⅲ、Ⅵb和Ⅶ d型新城疫病毒基因组末端序列及分析

[目的]简化cDNA末端快速扩增技术(Rapid amplification of cDNA ends,fLAcE)流程,测定基因Ⅲ、VIb)和VIId型新城疫病毒(Newcastle disease virus,NDV)基因组两侧末端序列,并对NDV的leader和trailer进行分析.[方法]利用T4 RNA连接酶将特定寡聚核苷酸片段的连接于病毒基因组RNA和eDNA,再利用RT-PCR或PCR方法对病毒基因组的末端进行快速的扩增.[结果]建立一套操作简单、低成本、可重复性高的RACE方法,测定了三种基因型5株NDV 3'末端leader和5'末端trailer序列比对分析.[结论]本实验测定的鹅源VII型毒株JS/7/05/Ch基因组的15,184 nt由一个T变为了C,5'端trailer与3'端leader的连续互补序列由8 nt变为12 nt,而其它4株基因Ⅲ型和VI型NDV均未发现该突变.通过RNA的二级结构分析,NDV基因组和反向基因组RNA的3'末端形成一个发卡结构.JS/7/05/Ch等3株NDV U→C(T→C)的突变位于发卡环上,不影响二级结构的形成,发卡环的RNA序列突变为3'-UCUC-5',与基因组3'端发卡环的3'-UCUUA-5'相似,推测可能影响了基因组RNA的复制速度.     

新城疫病毒ZJ1株F蛋白裂解位点突变对其融合活性的影响

新城疫病毒ZJ1毒株是近年来在我国水禽中流行并能引起水禽严重发病和死亡的强毒株,其F蛋白裂解位点有多个碱性氨基酸分布。将该毒株F蛋白裂解位点的112、115和117位碱性氨基酸突变成弱毒株特征的非碱性氨基酸,构建了重组表达质粒pCI-FT。分别将突变前后的F蛋白与该毒株的HN蛋白在COS-1细胞共表达,表明突变前后的F蛋白均有融合活性;分别将突变前后的F蛋白与该毒株的HN蛋白在CEF细胞共表达,表明突变后F蛋白被裂解的活性大大降低。以上研究为下一步在全长cDNA克隆水平上对F蛋白裂解位点氨基酸序列进行相应突变,研究毒力相关因素以及构建毒力致弱疫苗株等奠定基础。     

新城疫病毒ZJ1株F蛋白裂解位点突变对其融合活性的影响*

新城疫病毒ZJ1毒株是近年来在我国水禽中流行并能引起水禽严重发病和死亡的强毒株,其F蛋白裂解位点有多个碱性氨基酸分布。将该毒株F蛋白裂解位点的112、115和117位碱性氨基酸突变成弱毒株特征的非碱性氨基酸,构建了重组表达质粒pCI-FT。分别将突变前后的F蛋白与该毒株的HN蛋白在COS-1细胞共表达,表明突变前后的F蛋白均有融合活性;分别将突变前后的F蛋白与该毒株的HN蛋白在CEF细胞共表达,表明突变后F蛋白被裂解的活性大大降低。以上研究为下一步在全长cDNA克隆水平上对F蛋白裂解位点氨基酸序列进行相应     

谷氨酰胺激活PI3K/Akt信号通路促进痘苗病毒复制

谷氨酰胺(glutamine,Gln)在细胞生长和代谢过程中起重要作用,能够激活磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶(phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase,PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(protein kinase B,Akt)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,m TOR)信号通路。多种病毒能通过PI3K/Akt信号通路维持细胞生存和抑制细胞凋亡,维持病毒的感染。为了探讨Gln在痘苗病毒(vaccinia virus strain western reserve,WR)感染人肺癌细胞A549过程中的调控作用及其潜在机制,该文通过蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测PI3K/Akt信号通路蛋白质磷酸化水平,流式细胞术检测细胞阳性率,结晶紫染色检测WR滴度,实时定量PCR(quantitative Real-time PCR,q PCR)检测WR基因E3L和A46R m RNA水平。结果显示,Gln处理后PI3K/Akt信号通路蛋白质磷酸化水平显著升高。抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路后,细胞阳性率显著降低(P0.05),WR滴度显著降低(P0.05),WR基因E3L和A46R m RNA水平显著降低(P0.05)。该研究结果表明,Gln通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路从而促进A549细胞中WR的复制。     

丙型肝炎病毒F蛋白缺失对病毒复制及感染性的影响

探索了F蛋白缺失及核心蛋白(Core)二级结构改变对丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)复制和感染性的影响．利用定点突变方法,将J6JFH1的核心基因引进5个终止密码子以中断F蛋白的表达,从而获得F蛋白缺失的病毒复制子J6JFH1/ΔF．体外制备RNA转录体,并电穿孔转染Huh7.5.1细胞,采用免疫荧光、实时荧光定量PCR方法以及病毒感染等方法,观察F蛋白缺失对病毒复制、蛋白质表达及转染细胞上清感染性病毒颗粒产生的影响．在此基础上,构建5个单一突变病毒体,对HCV核心蛋白进行二级结构分析,观察核心蛋白二级结构对HCV复制和翻译的影响．结果显示,转染48 h后,J6JFH1/ΔF与野生型J6JFH1相比,J6JFH1/ΔF转染阳性细胞数明显降低,细胞内HCV RNA 水平降低约95%,J6JFH1/ΔF转染后不同时间点细胞上清中HCV RNA拷贝数和病毒颗粒也明显降低．5个单一突变体不影响核心基因二级结构,病毒在细胞内复制和感染性与野生型水平一致．J6JFH1/ΔF所产生的改变可能是由于5处突变导致核心基因二级结构改变而造成的．结果说明,HCV F蛋白缺失不影响病毒的复制翻译及病毒颗粒的包装释放,核心蛋白二级结构的改变对病毒复制和翻译则产生较大影响．     

鸡Mx蛋白基因诱变修饰及抗病活性

[目的]进一步研究鸡Mx蛋白第631位氨基酸的变异与鸡群抗病性的相关性.[方法]本实验利用PCR突变技术将鸡Mx蛋白基因的全长cDNA第2032位的碱基由G突变为A(既631位氨基酸的改变),并将突变的Mx基因插入真核表达载体pcDNA3.0,重组表达载体转染COS-Ⅰ细胞后,进行RT-PCR与间接免疫荧光(IFA)鉴定.[结果]对鸡Mx蛋白基因的cDNA进行PCR诱变修饰正确,构建了能够正确表达鸡Mx蛋白的重组真核表达载体;诱变修饰重组Mx蛋白对抗新城疫病毒(NDV)感染分析结果显示,重组Mx蛋白具有较强的抗新城疫病毒生物活性.[结论]为下一步研究鸡Mx蛋白的抗病机理与制备抗病转基因鸡奠定了坚实的基础.     

不同病变型J亚群禽白血病病毒LTR启动子序列分析及活性比较

从ALV-J中国地方分离株SCAU-HN06株(血管瘤病变型)、NX0101株和JS-nt株(骨髓瘤病变型)病毒的细胞培养物提取前病毒DNA,通过PCR扩增各毒株的LTR并克隆,随后进行测序分析。与国内外ALV-J参考毒株LTR序列比较发现:国内地方分离株与英国ALV-J原型株HPRS-103和美国ALV-J原型株ADOL-7501的LTR核苷酸序列相似性为88.0%~97.2%;LTR中的U5区及R区具有较高的保守性,而U3区内存在较大差异。将不同病变型ALV-J的LTR片段分别插入pCAT-basic载体CAT报告基因5'端。用所得的重组报告基因表达质粒转染DF-1细胞,48h后通过测定转染细胞中的CAT表达量来评价LTR启动子的活性。结果表明,SCAU-HN06株与骨髓瘤病变型ALV-J(JS-nt株,NX0101株)LTR启动子活性差异不显著。     

HIV—1结构基因与白细胞介素基因在重组痘苗病毒中的共表达研究

Env糖蛋白是决定HIV病毒粒子感染、穿入、融合及抗原性的主要结构蛋白,并且可诱导机体产生体液免疫和细胞免疫。Gag蛋白是HIV主要结构蛋白之一,氨基酸序列较为保守,抗源决定簇较少变异,也能够诱导机体产生体液免疫和细胞免疫。利用O把蛋白研制巨分子颗粒化疫苗,可能克服env不有效抵抗异源变异毒株攻击的缺陷,这是近年来HIV疫苗研制新热点。在艾滋病的研究中,已成功地利用痘菌病毒表达了HIV－IGag、Env等蛋白。随着生物技术的发展,人们设想把细胞因子基因与某些外派目的基因在细胞中进行共表达,来增强免疫反应,现已证明多…     

含RGD受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒Asial/JS/China/2005株的拯救及初步鉴定

[目的]构建含有精氨酸.甘氨酸.天冬氨酸(RGD)受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒(FmDV)Asial/JS/Chind2005株的全长感染性cDNA克隆.[方法]采用定点突变方法,构建Asial型FMDV含有预期突变的全长cDNA克隆pFMDV-RGD.pFMDV-RGD重组质粒经NotI线化后,与表达T7 RNA聚合酶的真核质粒peDNATIP共转染BHK-21细胞,进行FMDV-RGD病毒拯救.[结果]序列测定结果表明成功构建了FMDV含有RGD受体位点的Asial/JS/China/2005全长cDNA克隆.共转染试验获得拯救病毒,对拯救的病毒分别进行序列测定、间接免疫荧光、电子显微镜观察和乳鼠致病性分析,表明成功拯救了含有RGD受体结合位点的Asial/JS/China/2005株FMDV.[结论]该试验为进一步研究含有RGD和RDD受体结合位点2个拯救病毒生物学特性的差异奠定了基础.     

J亚群白血病病毒NX0101株感染性克隆化病毒的构建及其致病性

采用PCR方法分3段扩增出J亚群白血病病毒NX0 10 1株的前病毒cDNA ,PCR产物经克隆后顺次连接,获得一个含有完整ALV J前病毒cDNA的重组质粒,命名为pALV J NX。将此质粒DNA纯化后转染鸡胚成纤维细胞,以针对ALV J的单克隆抗体JE9对转染后的细胞作间接免疫荧光反应,证明获得了具有感染性的病毒。测定原始野毒和分子克隆化病毒的半数组织感染量(TCID50 ) ,分别人工接种1日龄商品代肉鸡并隔离饲养17周。接种野毒组死亡率为2 6 % ,髓细胞瘤发病率为2 4 %。接种分子克隆化病毒组死亡率为2 2 % ,髓细胞瘤发病率为2 2 %。结果表明,克隆化病毒具有天然病毒的致病性并对肉用型鸡表现致瘤性     

Asia1型口蹄疫病毒受体结合位点多样性

【目的】口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus,FMDV)通过结构蛋白VP1 G-H环上高度保守的精氨酸-甘氨酸-天门冬氨酸(Arg-Gly-Asp,RGD)基序与整联蛋白结合起始病毒的感染,但FMDV是RNA病毒,在环境条件变化时,FMDV能够以非RGD的途径起始病毒的感染。为了研究FMDV Asia1/JS/China/05田间舌皮毒经两种不同的途径短期传代后细胞受体结合基序RGD的变异。【方法】采用RT-PCR方法扩增FMDV Asia1/JS/China/05田间毒、田间毒的乳鼠适应毒第四代(MF4)和接种田间毒的牛同居感染的猪水泡病料适应细胞的第八代毒(PBF8)结构蛋白VP1基因,并对不同病毒VP1基因的PCR产物测序和cDNA文库测序。【结果】以含RGD受体结合基序为优势的田间毒在乳鼠上短期传代后出现了含精氨酸-丝氨酸-天门冬氨酸(Arg-Ser-Asp,RSD)和RGD受体结合基序的混合种群,而同居感染后的细胞传代病毒种群则以含精氨酸-天门冬氨酸-天门冬氨酸(Arg-Asp-Asp,RDD)受体结合基序为优势种群。【结论】发现了含RGD受体结合位点为优势的FMDV种群,经不同的宿主短期传代后产了含RSD或RDD受体结合基序的优势种群,该发现不仅增加了保守基序RGD发生替换的FMDV变异株的数量,而且为FMDV的细胞识别和宿主嗜性的改变等进一步研究奠定了物质基础。     

Evolution of gp85 gene of subgroup J avian leukosis virus under the selective pressure of antibodies

Subgroup J Avian leucosis virus (ALV-J) strain NX0101 was inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) monolayers in 6-well plates. The six wells of CEF inoculated with NX0101 were divided into groups A (without anti-ALV-J serum in the medium) and B (with anti-ALV-J serum in the medium), then viruses from each well of both groups were separately passed in CEF every 6 d and formed their independent passage lineages. For each lineage of both groups, gp85 genes of the viruses in the 10th, 20th and 30th passages were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequence data indicated that the homologies of gp85 at aa level between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group A were 97.7%–99.7%; and the homologies of gp85 between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group B were 93.8%–96.1%. Analysis of the ratios of nonsynonium (NS) vs synonium (S) mutations of nucleic acids demonstrated that NS/S in 3 highly variable (hr-) regions at aa#110–120, aa#141–151 and aa#189–194 of gp85 in 3 lineages of group A were 2 (8/4), 1(3/3) and 1.3 (4/3), however, NS/S in the same 3 hr-regions of group B were 4.1 (13/3), 4.7 (14/3) and 3.3 (11/3). This study is the first demonstration of influence of immune selective pressure on evolution of ALV-J gp85 by specific antibodies under the controlled in vitro experiments.     

Evolution of gp85 gene of subgroup J avian leukosis virus under the selective pressure of antibodies

Subgroup J Avian leucosis virus (ALV-J) strain NX0101 was inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) monolayers in 6-well plates. The six wells of CEF inoculated with NX0101 were divided into groups A (without anti-ALV-J serum in the medium) and B (with anti-ALV-J serum in the medium), then viruses from each well of both groups were separately passed in CEF every 6 d and formed their independent passage lineages. For each lineage of both groups, gp85 genes of the viruses in the 10th, 20th and 30th passages were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequence data indicated that the homologies of gp85 at aa level between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group A were 97.7%-99.7%; and the homologies of gp85 between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group B were 93.8%-96.1%. Analysis of the ratios of nonsynonium (NS) vs synonium (S) mutations of nucleic acids demonstrated that NS/S in 3 highly variable (hr-) regions at aa#110-120, aa#141-151 and aa#189-194 of gp85 in 3 lineages of group A were 2 (8/4), 1(3/3) and 1.3 (4/3), however, NS/S in the same 3 hr-regions of group B were 4.1 (13/3), 4.7 (14/3) and 3.3 (11/3). This study is the first demonstration of influence of immune selective pressure on evolution of ALV-J gp85 by specific antibodies under the controlled in vitro experiments.     

J亚群禽白血病病毒NX0101株的TCID50与p27抗原之间的相关性研究

为了研究J亚群禽白血病病毒在细胞上接种后的半数细胞培养物感染量(TCID₅₀)与p27抗原的酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）的S/P值之间的相关性,并探讨其意义。本试验将J亚群禽白血病病毒NX0101株接种鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF细胞）,换维持液后连续10d取样,检测10d的TCID₅₀值与p27抗原的S/P值之间的相关性。同时,将该毒株在DF-1细胞系上传代至20代,取其中的第1代、第5代、第10代、第15代和第20代分别进行TCID₅₀滴度的测定和p27抗原检测。结果表明:在CEF细胞上接种的NX0101株J亚群禽白血病病毒连续10d的TCID₅₀值与p27抗原之间存在显著的相关性（r=0.85277;P<0.0001）呈正相关;在DF-1细胞系上传的不同代数之间也呈显著正相关（r=0.93000;P=0.0220）。由此可以推测J亚群禽白血病病毒的TCID₅₀与p27抗原呈显著正相关,因而可以用ELISA法测得的p27抗原的S/P值对病毒的TCID₅₀值进行估测。     

敲除meq的鸡马立克氏病毒强毒株对超强毒的免疫保护作用

【目的】比较和评价一株敲除了meq基因的马立克氏病毒(MDV)的致病性及其诱发的保护性免疫作用。【方法】将1日龄SPF鸡150只随机分为5组,每组30只,分别饲养于正压过滤空气的SPF动物饲养隔离罩内。1日龄时,第1和第5组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量腹腔接种GX0101Δmeq,第2组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量腹腔接种CVI988/Rispens疫苗株,第3和第4组鸡不接种任何病毒作为对照组。免疫接种5d后,第1、2、3组分别以500PFU/只的剂量攻击MDV超强毒株vvrMd5。饲养90d,观察死亡情况,对各组死亡鸡只剖检,并取疑似马立克特有病变脏器做石蜡切片,于攻毒后90d处死全部存活鸡并随机取心脏、肝脏、脾脏做病理切片。【结果】单独接种GX0101Δmeq的第5组没有任何马立克氏病临床症状和特有的组织学病变,接种GX0101Δmeq再感染超强毒株vvrMd5的第1组也没有马立克病特有的组织学病变,但CVI988/Rispens免疫后感染超强毒株vvrMd5的第2组显示马立克病特有病变的病理切片比例为9/42,单独接种超强毒株vvrMd5的第3组死亡率为87%,死亡鸡出现可眼观典型肿瘤率为25%,免疫接种GX0101Δmeq和CVI988/Rispens的第1组和第2组对超强毒株vvrMd5攻击的保护指数分别为100%和89%。【结论】本实验构建的MDVmeq基因缺失株-GX0101Δmeq可在体外稳定复制,不仅对SPF鸡没有致病性和致瘤性,而且能诱导比CVI988/Rispens疫苗株更好的对超强毒MDV的免疫保护效果。     

YXXM motifs in the PDGF-beta receptor serve dual roles as phosphoinositide 3-kinase binding motifs and tyrosine-based endocytic sorting signals

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases) are important regulators of endocytic trafficking. Previous studies have shown that mutant human platelet-derived growth factor-beta receptors (PDGFR), which contain Phe in place of Tyr at the two p85/p110 PI 3-kinase binding sites (PDGFR-F/F), are defective for both p85 binding and ligand-stimulated degradation. This suggested that p85/p110 regulates PDGFR trafficking. However, more recent work has identified hVPS34, and not p85/p110, as the major PI 3-kinase regulating the movement of receptors through the endosomal system. To reconcile this discrepancy, we hypothesized that YXXM motifs in the PDGFR might play a second role as Tyr-based lysosomal sorting motifs (YXXPhi). To test this, we replaced both YXXM motifs with a motif from LAMP-1, YQTI. This mutant PDGFR (PDGFR-YQTI) still underwent PDGF-stimulated autophosphorylation but did not bind p85. In CHO cells, both wild-type and YQTI receptors showed PDGF-stimulated turnover, whereas F/F receptors did not. In addition, uptake and degradation of cell surface-labeled YXXM and YQTI receptors was fast relative to F/F receptors. We also constructed chimeras containing extracellular and membrane-spanning domains from CD25 (Tac) and cytoplasmic tails containing the YQTI motif, two YXXM motifs, or two mutant FXXM motifs. The YXXM and YQTI chimeras mediated lysosomal delivery of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled anti-CD25 antibodies, whereas the F/F chimera was defective. Thus, YQTI motifs can target PDGFR for degradation in the absence of p85/p110 binding, and the p85/p110 binding motifs from PDGFR are sufficient to target Tac chimeras to the lysosome. These data suggest that the YXXM motifs in the PDGFR serve two distinct functions: PI 3-kinase recruitment and lysosomal targeting.     

The covalent modification and regulation of TLR8 in HEK-293 cells stimulated with imidazoquinoline agonists

The mammalian TLRs (Toll-like receptors) mediate the rapid initial immune response to pathogens through recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The pathogen pattern to which TLR8 responds is ssRNA (single-stranded RNA) commonly associated with ssRNA viruses. TLR8 also responds to small, purine-like molecules including the imidazoquinoline IRMs (immune-response modifiers). The IRMs include molecules that selectively activate TLR7, selectively activate TLR8 or non-selectively activate both TLR7 and TLR8. Using HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) stably expressing an NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB)/luciferase promoter-reporter system as a model system, we have examined the regulation of TLR8 using the non-selective TLR7/8 agonist, 3M-003. Using conservative tyrosine to phenylalanine site-directed mutation, we show that of the 13 tyrosine residues resident in the cytosolic domain of TLR8, only three appear to be critical to TLR8 signalling. Two of these, Tyr898 and Tyr904, reside in the Box 1 motif and the third, Tyr1048, lies in a YXXM putative p85-binding motif. TLR8 is tyrosine-phosphorylated following 3M-003 treatment and TLR8 signalling is inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Treatment with 3M-003 results in the association of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) with TLR8 and this association is inhibited by tyrosine to phenylalanine mutation of either the YXXM or Box 1 motifs. As a further consequence of activation by 3M-003, TLR8 is modified to yield both higher and lower molecular mass species. These species include a monoubiquitinated form as deduced from ubiquitin peptide sequencing by HPLC/MS/MS (tandem MS).     

Mutational analysis of the cytoplasmic tail of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus envelope protein

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the etiologic agent of a transmissible lung cancer in sheep, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. JSRV is unique in that the envelope protein functions as an oncogene, since it can morphologically transform fibroblast and epithelial cells in culture and can induce lung tumors in mice. Previous studies indicated that the transmembrane (TM) protein is essential for transformation, and particular attention has focused on a YXXM motif in the cytoplasmic tail. In this study, we carried out systematic mutagenesis of the cytoplasmic tail of JSRV Env. Alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed four classes of mutants: mutants in which transformation was abrogated, those in which transformation was not affected, those with reduced transformation, and those with increased transformation (supertransformers). In general, the alanine mutations did not affect Env protein production or its localization to the plasma membrane. Three functional domains of the cytoplasmic tail were identified: an amphipathic helix at the N-terminal (juxtamembrane) side, a nonessential C-terminal region, and an internal region (including the YXXM motif) where mutations resulted in abrogation, decreases, or increases in transformation. Alanine mutations in the amphipathic helix in both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces generally abolished transformation. The mutation R591A showed partial transformation that was consistent with loss of signaling through the Akt-mTOR pathway and signaling predominantly through the Ras-Raf-MEK1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway. The supertransforming mutants generally showed increased signaling through Akt and reduced activation of p38 MAPK that is inhibitory for transformation. These mutants provide further insight into the role of the TM cytoplasmic tail in JSRV transformation.