Characterization of Determinants for Envelope Binding and Infection in Tva, the Subgroup A Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Receptor

Tva is the cellular receptor for subgroup A avian leukosis and sarcoma virus (ALSV-A). The viral interaction domain of Tva is determined by a 40-residue, cysteine-rich module closely related to the ligand binding domain of the human low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). In this report, we examined the role of the LDLR-like module of Tva in envelope binding and viral infection by mutational analysis. We found that the entire LDLR module in Tva is essential for efficient binding to the viral envelope protein. However, the 17 N-terminal residues of this module can be deleted without affecting receptor function, suggesting that the major determinants for viral entry are located at the C terminus of the module. The effect on viral infection of many amino acid substitutions and deletions in the LDLR module is context dependent, suggesting that the residues important for viral entry are dispersed throughout the LDLR module. In addition, we found that all 27 mutations at residues D46, E47, and W48 greatly reduced envelope binding. These results are discussed in relation to a recently elucidated structure for an LDLR module.     

禽白血病病毒J亚群env基因的克隆和序列分析

应用多聚酶链反应（PCR）的方法扩增出ADOL-4817毒株的囊膜蛋白env基因,并克隆进大肠杆菌。经核酸序列分析证明,env基因的大小为1746 bp,其中gp85和gp37由1554 bp组成,可翻译成517个氨基酸,分子量为57.7 D。根据糖基化位点N-X-S/T的特点,发现ADOL-4817的env蛋白有15个潜在的糖基化位点。同源性分析证明,ADOL-4817的env基因与其它ALV-J的env基因序列同源性为88.8%～92.4%,而与外源性ALVs的相应序列的同源性仅为40.5%～51.4%,然而,与内源性的EAV-HP毒株的类env基因的同源性高达91.2%;另外,ADOL-4817毒株的gp37在C末端多了13个氨基酸。这些结果提示,ALV-J的env基因存在广泛的变异性,env基因可能来源于内源性和外源性ALVs的重组。     

Mutational Analysis of the Candidate Internal Fusion Peptide of the Avian Leukosis and Sarcoma Virus Subgroup A Envelope Glycoprotein

The transmembrane subunit (TM) of the avian leukosis and sarcoma virus (ALSV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) contains a stretch of conserved hydrophobic amino acids internal to its amino terminus (residues 21 to 42). By analogy with similar sequences in other viral envelope glycoproteins, this region has been proposed to be a fusion peptide. We investigated the role of this region by changing each of three hydrophobic residues (Ile-21, Val-30, and Ile-39) to glutamatic acid and lysine in the ALSV subgroup A Env. Like wild-type (wt) Env, all six mutant Env proteins were proteolytically processed, oligomerized, and expressed at the cell surface in a form that bound Tva, the ALSV subgroup A receptor. Like wt Env, Ile21Glu, Ile21Lys, Val30Glu, and Val30Lys changed conformation upon binding Tva, as assayed by sensitivity to thermolysin. Ile39Glu and Ile39Lys were cleaved by thermolysin in both the absence and presence of Tva. Although incorporated into virus particles at approximately equal levels, all mutant Envs were compromised in their ability to support infection. The mutants at residues 21 and 30 showed levels of infection 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of wt Env. The mutants at residue 39 were noninfectious. Furthermore, none of the mutants displayed activity in a cell-cell fusion assay. Our results support the contention that residues 21 to 42 of ALSV subgroup A Env constitute its fusion peptide.     

The CAR1 Gene Encoding a Cellular Receptor Specific for Subgroup B and D Avian Leukosis Viruses Maps to the Chicken tvb Locus

Host susceptibility to subgroup B, D, and E avian leukosis viruses (ALV) is determined by specific alleles of the chicken tvb locus. Recently, a chicken gene that encodes a cellular receptor, designated CAR1, specific for subgroups B and D ALV was cloned, and it was proposed that this gene was the s3 allele of tvb (J. Brojatsch, J. Naughton, M. M. Rolls, K. Zingler, and J. A. T. Young, Cell 87:845–855, 1996). We now report that in a backcross derived from an F₁ (Jungle Fowl × White Leghorn [WL]) male mated with inbred WL females, the cloned ALV receptor gene cosegregated with two markers linked to tvb. The two markers used were a tvb^s1-specific antigen recognized by the chicken R2 alloantiserum and restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with the expressed sequence tag com152e. With all three markers, no crossovers were observed among 52 backcross progeny tested and LOD linkage scores of 15.7 were obtained. These data demonstrate that CAR1 is the subgroup B and D ALV susceptibility gene located at tvb^s3.     

Nonconserved Tryptophan 38 of the Cell Surface Receptor for Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Discriminates Sensitive from Resistant Avian Species

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is unique among the avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses in using the multimembrane-spanning cell surface protein Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger type 1 (NHE1) as a receptor. The precise localization of amino acids critical for NHE1 receptor activity is key in understanding the virus-receptor interaction and potential interference with virus entry. Because no resistant chicken lines have been described until now, we compared the NHE1 amino acid sequences from permissive and resistant galliform species. In all resistant species, the deletion or substitution of W38 within the first extracellular loop was observed either alone or in the presence of other incidental amino acid changes. Using the ectopic expression of wild-type or mutated chicken NHE1 in resistant cells and infection with a reporter recombinant retrovirus of subgroup J specificity, we studied the effect of individual mutations on the NHE1 receptor capacity. We suggest that the absence of W38 abrogates binding of the subgroup J envelope glycoprotein to ALV-J-resistant cells. Altogether, we describe the functional importance of W38 for virus entry and conclude that natural polymorphisms in NHE1 can be a source of host resistance to ALV-J.     

诱发血管瘤型J亚群禽白血病病毒gp85基因的克隆与表达

2007年7月至11月,中国开产前后的商品海兰褐蛋鸡群大面积暴发血管瘤,造成巨大经济损失。将病料接种DF1细胞,通过PCR和间接免疫荧光(IFA)确定此次暴发的血管瘤为J亚群白血病病毒(ALV-J)感染引起。从患病鸡群中分离到5株ALV-J(前4株已经报道),将第5株病毒命名为WS0705。为研究该毒株抗原性的特点,用PCR方法扩增出gp85基因,并克隆进pMD18-T载体进行测序。氨基酸系统进化树分析显示WS0705与英国ALV-J原型毒株HPRS-103同源性最高。从已构建的质粒pMD18-T-WS0705gp85中酶切回收gp85基因,构建重组转移载体pFastBacH Tb-WS0705gp85。利用Bac-to-Bac表达系统获得了重组杆状病毒rBac-WS0705gp85。间接免疫荧光和Western blot检测WS0705gp85基因的表达产物。间接免疫荧光显示,构建的重组杆状病毒感染的Sf9细胞呈现明显的强阳性反应;Western blot分析,重组病毒感染的Sf9细胞蛋白显示出约35kD的阳性条带。结果表明,WS0705gp85基因在Sf9细胞中得到良好的表达,并且其编码产物完全可以被外源性ALV-J的特异性单抗JE9识别,进一步证明本次暴发血管瘤的病原为ALV-J,并为进一步开发ALV-J相关诊断产品奠定了基础。     

Isolation and Identification of a Subgroup A Avian Leukosis Virus from Imported Meat-type Grand-parent Chickens

An exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) strain SDAU09C1 was isolated in DF-1 cells from one of 240 imported 1-day-old white meat-type grand parent breeder chicks. Inoculation of SDAU09C1 in ALV-free chickens induced antibody reactions specific to subgroup A or B. But gp85 amino acid sequence comparisons indicated that SDAU09C1 fell into subgroup A; it had homology of 88.8%-90.3% to 6 reference strains of subgroup A, much higher compared to other subgroups including subgroup B. This is the first report for A...     

Polymorphism of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup E Loci Showing Selective Footprints in Chicken

Avian leukosis virus subgroup E (ALVE) is a family of endogenous retroviruses in the chicken genome. To investigate the genetic consequences of chicken domestication, we analyzed 18 ALVE loci in red jungle fowls, layers, broilers, and Chinese indigenous chickens. None of the ALVE loci tested were found in red jungle fowls, but 12 were present in domestic chickens. ALVE1 and ALVE16 are found in regions of the genome that harbor quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting egg production traits. ALVE1 was fixed and ALVE16 was detected only in layers. By contrast, ALVE-b1, ALVE-b5, ALVE-b6, and ALVE-b8 integrated into regions of the genome that harbor QTL affecting meat production traits. Carrier frequencies of these four ALVE loci were high in broilers and low in Chinese local chickens; the loci were not found in the layers. This study demonstrated that insertionally polymorphic ALVE loci can illustrate the selective footprints in the chicken genome.     

A Recombinant Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J for Directly Monitoring Viral Infection and the Selection of Neutralizing Antibodies

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) has induced serious clinical outbreaks and has become a serious infectious disease of chickens in China. We describe here the creation of a recombinant ALV-J tagged with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (named rHPRS-103EGFP). We successfully utilize the rHPRS-103EGFP to visualize viral infection and for development of a simplified serum-neutralization test.     

Independent Isolates of the Emerging Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Derive from a Common Ancestor

A new subgroup of avian leukosis virus (ALV) that includes a unique env gene, designated J, was identified recently in England. Sequence analysis of prototype English isolate HPRS-103 revealed several other unique genetic characteristics of this strain and provided information that it arose by recombination between exogenous and endogenous virus sequences. In the past several years, ALV J type viruses (ALV-J) have been isolated from broiler breeder flocks in the United States. We were interested in determining the relationship between the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J. Based on sequence data from two independently derived U.S. field isolates, we conclude that the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J derive from a common ancestor and are not the result of independent recombination events.     

Detection and Molecular Characterization of J Subgroup Avian Leukosis Virus in Wild Ducks in China

To assess the status of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) in wild ducks in China, we examined samples from 528 wild ducks, representing 17 species, which were collected in China over the past 3 years. Virus isolation and PCR showed that 7 ALV-J strains were isolated from wild ducks. The env genes and the 3′UTRs from these isolates were cloned and sequenced. The env genes of all 7 wild duck isolates were significantly different from those in the prototype strain HPRS-103, American strains, broiler ALV-J isolates and Chinese local chicken isolates, but showed close homology with those found in some layer chicken ALV-J isolates and belonged to the same group. The 3′UTRs of 7 ALV-J wild ducks isolates showed close homology with the prototype strain HPRS-103 and no obvious deletion was found in the 3′UTR except for a 1 bp deletion in the E element that introduced a binding site for c-Ets-1. Our study demonstrated the presence of ALV-J in wild ducks and investigated the molecular characterization of ALV-J in wild ducks isolates.     

我国地方品种鸡分离到的一个禽白血病病毒新亚群的鉴定

为探明我国地方品种鸡群禽白血病病毒(Avian leukosis virus,ALV)的特点,通过接种DF-1细胞及细胞培养上清液p27抗原的检测,从芦花鸡中分离得到三株外源性ALV禽白血病病毒,分别是JS11C1、JS11C2和JS11C3,并对其进行亚群鉴定分析。用PCR方法扩增env基因测序,并与已知鸡源各亚群ALV的囊膜蛋白(gp85)作氨基酸同源性比较。这三株ALV的env基因的gp85大小为1 005bp,编码335个氨基酸;env基因的gp37大小为609bp,编码203个氨基酸。三个毒株之间gp85的同源性为91.9%～97.0%。与A、B、C、D和E五个经典亚群在GenBank中已发表的18个毒株的gp85的同源性仅在77.7%～84.6%间,显著低于鸡群中常见的A、B、E各亚群内的同源性范围(分别为88.2%～98.5%,91.6%～98.8%和97.9%～99.4%),而与J亚群参考株的同源性更是只有34.2%～36.5%。上述结果表明,芦花鸡分离到的三株病毒可能是不同于鸡源ALV已知6个亚群的一个新亚群,按国际上对ALV亚群分类的习惯,初步将其定名为K亚群。     

The Unique Envelope Gene of the Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Derives from ev/J Proviruses, a Novel Family of Avian Endogenous Viruses

A new subgroup of avian leukosis virus (ALV), designated subgroup J, was identified recently. Viruses of this subgroup do not cross-interfere with viruses of the avian A, B, C, D, and E subgroups, are not neutralized by antisera raised against the other virus subgroups, and have a broader host range than the A to E subgroups. Sequence comparisons reveal that while the subgroup J envelope gene includes some regions that are related to those found in env genes of the A to E subgroups, the majority of the subgroup J gene is composed of sequences either that are more similar to those of a member (E51) of the ancient endogenous avian virus (EAV) family of proviruses or that appear unique to subgroup J viruses. These data led to the suggestion that the ALV-J env gene might have arisen by multiple recombination events between one or more endogenous and exogenous viruses. We initiated studies to investigate the origin of the subgroup J envelope gene and in particular to determine the identity of endogenous sequences that may have contributed to its generation. Here we report the identification of a novel family of avian endogenous viruses that include env coding sequences that are over 95% identical to both the gp85 and gp37 coding regions of subgroup J viruses. We call these viruses the ev/J family. We also report the isolation of ev/J-encoded cDNAs, indicating that at least some members of this family are expressed. These data support the hypothesis that the subgroup J envelope gene was acquired by recombination with expressed endogenous sequences and are consistent with acquisition of this gene by only one recombination event.     

Complete Genome Sequence of a J Subgroup Avian Leukosis Virus Isolated from Local Commercial Broilers

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) isolate GDKP1202 was isolated from a 50-day-old local yellow commercial broiler in the Guangdong province of China in 2012. Here we report the complete genomic sequence of the GDKP1202 isolate, which caused high mortality, serious growth suppression, thymic atrophy, and liver enlargement in commercial broilers. A novel potential binding site (5′-GGCACCTCC-3′) for c-myb was identified in the GDKP1202 genome. These findings will provide additional insights into the molecular characteristics in the genomes and pathogenicity of ALV-J.     

Visualization of the Two-Step Fusion Process of the Retrovirus Avian Sarcoma/Leukosis Virus by Cryo-Electron Tomography

Retrovirus infection starts with the binding of envelope glycoproteins to host cell receptors. Subsequently, conformational changes in the glycoproteins trigger fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. Some retroviruses, such as avian sarcoma/leukosis virus (ASLV), employ a two-step mechanism in which receptor binding precedes low-pH activation and fusion. We used cryo-electron tomography to study virion/receptor/liposome complexes that simulate the interactions of ASLV virions with cells. Binding the soluble receptor at neutral pH resulted in virions capable of binding liposomes tightly enough to alter their curvature. At virion-liposome interfaces, the glycoproteins are ∼3-fold more concentrated than elsewhere in the viral envelope, indicating specific recruitment to these sites. Subtomogram averaging showed that the oblate globular domain in the prehairpin intermediate (presumably the receptor-binding domain) is connected to both the target and the viral membrane by 2.5-nm-long stalks and is partially disordered, compared with its native conformation. Upon lowering the pH, fusion took place. Fusion is a stochastic process that, once initiated, must be rapid, as only final (postfusion) products were observed. These fusion products showed glycoprotein spikes on their surface, with their interiors occupied by patches of dense material but without capsids, implying their disassembly. In addition, some of the products presented a density layer underlying and resolved from the viral membrane, which may represent detachment of the matrix protein to facilitate the fusion process.