草鱼出血病病毒873株基因组外发现缺损性干扰颗粒的亚基因组成份

草鱼出血病病毒基因组由 11条dsRNA片段组成。最近在研究其基因组时发现 ,在病毒基因组外存在许多核酸成份 ,但在核苷酸数量上少于基因组成份 ,表现为较小分子量的RNA片段。在完整地克隆了这些片段的全长cDNA后 ,测定了其中两个克隆的序列组成 ,发现它们为病毒基因组经剪切后的部分片段 ,已经重新装配 ,而且都含有原基因组某一片段 3′端和 5′端的保守区和倒转重复区 ,缺失中间部分。根据其特点来看 ,它们应为目前病毒学研究的重要材料———缺损性干扰颗粒的亚基因组成份。     

RNA Sequence Features Are at the Core of Influenza A Virus Genome Packaging

The influenza A virus (IAV), a respiratory pathogen for humans, poses serious medical and economic challenges to global healthcare systems. The IAV genome, consisting of eight single-stranded viral RNA segments, is incorporated into virions by a complex process known as genome packaging. Specific RNA sequences within the viral RNA segments serve as signals that are necessary for genome packaging. Although efficient packaging is a prerequisite for viral infectivity, many of the mechanistic details about this process are still missing. In this review, we discuss the recent advances toward the understanding of IAV genome packaging and focus on the RNA features that play a role in this process.     

Partial cDNA Cloning and Nucleotide Sequence of Rice Dwarf Virus Genome

Rice dwarf virus (RDV) was isolated and purified from infected rice leaves with chloro form extraction, PEG precipitation and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Total RDV RNA ge nome was separated in the agarose gel and segments of RDV RNA genome were purified. The cDNAs of several segments were synthesized with oligo dT as primer. Through cDNA mapping, subcloning and sequencing, we have obtained partial DNA sequence of those segments. Here we report the cloning and partial DNA sequence of segment 8 from RDV RNA genome.     

Simplified polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining for analysis and preparation of influenza virus RNA segments.

The influenza virus has a genome consisting of eight RNA segments. A simplified technique to study the RNA segmental pattern by silver staining after gel electrophoresis has been developed. In addition, individual RNA segments could be isolated by a combination of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isotachophoresis.     

Relationships between RNA topology and nucleocapsid structure in a model icosahedral virus

The process of genome packaging in most of viruses is poorly understood, notably the role of the genome itself in the nucleocapsid structure. For simple icosahedral single-stranded RNA viruses, the branched topology due to the RNA secondary structure is thought to lower the free energy required to complete a virion. We investigate the structure of nucleocapsids packaging RNA segments with various degrees of compactness by small-angle x-ray scattering and cryotransmission electron microscopy. The structural differences are mild even though compact RNA segments lead on average to better-ordered and more uniform particles across the sample. Numerical calculations confirm that the free energy is lowered for the RNA segments displaying the larger number of branch points. The effect is, however, opposite with synthetic polyelectrolytes, in which a star topology gives rise to more disorder in the capsids than a linear topology. If RNA compactness and size account in part for the proper assembly of the nucleocapsid and the genome selectivity, other factors most likely related to the host cell environment during viral assembly must come into play as well.     

Sequential packaging of RNA genomic segments during the assembly of Bluetongue virus

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of the Orbivirus genus within the Reoviridae family, has a genome of 10 double-stranded RNA segments, with three distinct size classes. Although the packaging of the viral genome is evidently highly specific such that every virus particle contains a set of 10 RNA segments, the order and mechanism of packaging are not understood. In this study we have combined the use of a cell-free in vitro assembly system with a novel RNA–RNA interaction assay to investigate the mechanism of single-stranded (ss) RNAs packaging during nascent capsid assembly. Exclusion of single or multiple ssRNA segments in the packaging reaction or their addition in different order significantly altered the outcome and suggested a particular role for the smallest segment, S10. Our data suggests that genome packaging probably initiates with the smallest segment which triggers RNA–RNA interaction with other smaller segments forming a complex network. Subsequently, the medium to larger size ssRNAs are recruited until the complete genome is packaging into the capsid. The untranslated regions of the smallest RNA segment, S10, is critical for the instigation of this process. We suggest that the selective packaging observed in BTV may also apply to other members of the Reoviridae family.     

Biochemical studies on a reovirus-like agent (rotovirus) from lambs.

Ten polypeptides were detected in double-capsid lamb rotavirus; four of these appeared to be associated with the outer capsid. Lamb rotavirus RNA, which consisted of 11 or 12 segments, differed from pig rotavirus RNA in the electrophoretic mibility of one of the genome segments.     

Transcriptase activity and genome composition of defective influenza virus.

Eight genome RNA segments are present in both normal and von Magnustype influenza virus preparations and all species are transcribed by the virion-associated polymerase. Although the RNA polymerase activity and the amount of the three largest RNA segments are reduced in defective influenza virus preparations, these reductions do not appear to be great enough to account for the much greater loss of infectivity.     

The influenza A virus genome packaging network — complex,flexible and yet unsolved

The genome of influenza A virus (IAV) consists of eight unique viral RNA segments. This genome organization allows genetic reassortment between co-infecting IAV strains, whereby new IAVs with altered genome segment compositions emerge. While it is known that reassortment events can create pandemic IAVs, it remains impossible to anticipate reassortment outcomes with pandemic prospects. Recent research indicates that reassortment is promoted by a viral genome packaging mechanism that delivers the eight genome segments as a supramolecular complex into the virus particle. This finding holds promise of predicting pandemic IAVs by understanding the intermolecular interactions governing this genome packaging mechanism. Here, we critically review the prevailing mechanistic model postulating that IAV genome packaging is orchestrated by a network of intersegmental RNA–RNA interactions. Although we find supporting evidence, including segment-specific packaging signals and experimentally proposed RNA–RNA interaction networks, this mechanistic model remains debatable due to a current shortage of functionally validated intersegmental RNA–RNA interactions. We speculate that identifying such functional intersegmental RNA–RNA contacts might be hampered by limitations of the utilized probing techniques and the inherent complexity of the genome packaging mechanism. Nevertheless, we anticipate that improved probing strategies combined with a mutagenesis-based validation could facilitate their discovery.     

Mechanism of Intraparticle Synthesis of the Rotavirus Double-stranded RNA Genome

Rotaviruses perform the remarkable tasks of transcribing and replicating 11 distinct double-stranded RNA genome segments within the confines of a subviral particle. Multiple viral polymerases are tethered to the interior of a particle, each dedicated to a solitary genome segment but acting in synchrony to synthesize RNA. Although the rotavirus polymerase specifically recognizes RNA templates in the absence of other proteins, its enzymatic activity is contingent upon interaction with the viral capsid. This intraparticle strategy of RNA synthesis helps orchestrate the concerted packaging and replication of the viral genome. Here, we review our current understanding of rotavirus RNA synthetic mechanisms.     

Diagnosis of rotavirus infection with cloned cDNA copies of viral genome segments.

The diagnostic potential of cloned cDNA copies of human rotavirus (strain WA) genome segments for the detection of rotavirus in clinical specimens has been determined. A hybridization assay in which a mixture of 32P-labeled cDNAs representing the 11 rotavirus segments was used as a probe compared favorably with three frequently used diagnostic tests for rotavirus in terms of both specificity and sensitivity. Significantly, clinical isolates could be readily distinguished when cloned cDNA copies of individual genome segments were used independently as a probe. In assays in which genome RNA from rotaviruses of known subgroups and serotypes were tested, cloned probes that encode nonstructural viral proteins hybridized efficiently to genome RNAs of all strains, whereas cloned probes corresponding to genome segments 6 and 9 exhibited the potential for differentiating strains of different subgroups and serotypes. Cloned cDNA copies of rotavirus genome segments therefore offer considerable potential for improved general diagnosis of rotavirus in clinical specimens, as well as for epidemiological studies in which virus isolates can be distinguished on the basis of nucleotide sequence homology of individual genome segments.     

Effects of the Number of Genome Segments on Primary and Systemic Infections with a Multipartite Plant RNA Virus

Multipartite plant viruses were discovered because of discrepancies between the observed dose response and predictions of the independent-action hypothesis (IAH) model. Theory suggests that the number of genome segments predicts the shape of the dose-response curve, but a rigorous test of this hypothesis has not been reported. Here, Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), a tripartite Alfamovirus, and transgenic Nicotianatabacum plants expressing no (wild type), one (P2), or two (P12) viral genome segments were used to test whether the number of genome segments necessary for infection predicts the dose response. The dose-response curve of wild-type plants was steep and congruent with the predicted kinetics of a multipartite virus, confirming previous results. Moreover, for P12 plants, the data support the IAH model, showing that the expression of virus genome segments by the host plant can modulate the infection kinetics of a tripartite virus to those of a monopartite virus. However, the different types of virus particles occurred at different frequencies, with a ratio of 116:45:1 (RNA1 to RNA2 to RNA3), which will affect infection kinetics and required analysis with a more comprehensive infection model. This analysis showed that each type of virus particle has a different probability of invading the host plant, at both the primary- and systemic-infection levels. While the number of genome segments affects the dose response, taking into consideration differences in the infection kinetics of the three types of AMV particles results in a better understanding of the infection process.     

流感病毒的分子生物学研究进展

流感病毒是分节段的负链RNA病毒,由RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶起始病毒的复制。流感病毒的特殊基因组结构和病毒蛋白的功能使其极易发生抗原转换和抗原漂移,这使得病毒能够逃避多种宿主的长效中和性免疫反应。本文从病毒结构、基因组及其编码蛋白质、病毒复制过程和病毒的易感宿主等几方面论述了流感病毒的分子生物学研究进展。     

Size and structure of the genome of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.

The genome of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus consists of two segments of dsRNA, in equimolar amounts, with molecular weights of 2.5 X 10(6) and 2.3 X 10(6) daltons, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. The viral RNA was resistant to ribonuclease, and in sucrose gradient it co-sedimented at 14S with RNase resistant RNA from virus infected cells. Upon denaturation in 98% formamide, the viral genome sedi-mented at 24S in formamide sucrose gradient and became sensitive to RNase. Denatured 24S viral RNA did revert to its undenatured 14S form upon recentrifugation in aquaeous sucrose gradient (0.1 M NaCL), but co-sedimented with the denatured large size class of reovirus 25S RNA. The same results were obtained if the native viral RNA was pre-treated with ribonuclease before denaturation, indicating the absence of exposed single strainded regions in the viral genome. Since infectious pancreatic necrosis virus contains only two dsRNA segments it does not belong to the family Reoviridae and may represent a new group of viruses.     

Transcription In Vitro by Reovirus-Associated Ribonucleic Acid-Dependent Polymerase

Digestion of purified reovirus type 3 with chymotrypsin degrades 70% of the viral protein and converts the virions to subviral particles (SVP). The SVP contain 3 of the 6 viral structural proteins and all 10 double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome segments but not adenine-rich, single-stranded RNA. An RNA polymerase which is structurally associated with SVP transcribes one strand of each genome segment by a conservative mechanism in vitro. The single-stranded products include large (1.2 x 10(6) daltons), medium (0.7 x 10(6) daltons), and small (0.4 x 10(6) daltons) molecules which hybridize exclusively with the corresponding genome segments. The enzyme obtained by heating virions at 60 C synthesizes similar products. Kinetic and pulse-chase studies indicate that the different-sized products are synthesized simultaneously but at rates which are in the order: small > medium > large.