Virion RNA species of the arenaviruses Pichinde, Tacaribe, and Tamiami.

The principal RNA species isolated from labeled preparations of the arenavirus Pichinde usually include a large viral RNA species L (apparent molecular weight = 3.2 X 10(6)), and a smaller viral RNA species S (apparent molecular weight = 1.6 X 10(6)). In addition, either little or considerable quantities of 28S rRNA as well as 18S rRNA can also be obtained in virus extracts, depending on the virus stock and growth conditions used to generate virus preparations. Similar RNA species have been identified in RNA extracted from Tacaribe and Tamiami arenavirus preparations. Oligonucleotide fingerprint analyses have confirmed the host ribosomal origin of the 28S and 18S species. Such analyses have also indicated that the Pichinde viral L and S RNA species each contain unique nucleotide sequences. Viral RNA preparations isolated by conventional phenol-sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction often have much of their L and S RNA species in the form of aggregates as visualized by either electron microscopy or oligonucleotide fingerprinting of material recovered from the top of gels (run by using undenatured RNA preparations). Circular and linear RNA forms have also been seen in electron micrographs of undenatured RNA preparations, although denatured viral RNA preparations have yielded mostly linear RNA species with few RNA aggregates or circular forms.     

M viral RNA segment of bunyaviruses codes for two glycoproteins, G1 and G2.

Tryptic peptide digests of the two viral glycoproteins (G1 and G2) of snowshow hare (SSH) virus, La Crosse, La Crosse (LAC) virus, and an SSH/LAC recombinant virus which has a large (L)/medium (M)/small (S) RNA segment genome composition of SSH/LAC/SSH were analyzed by ion-exchange column chromatography. The analyses prove that the M RNA species of bunyaviruses codes for the two viral glycoproteins.     

Genome complexities of the three mRNA species of snowshoe hare bunyavirus and in vitro translation of S mRNA to viral N polypeptide.

The genome complexities of the principal intracellular viral complementary RNA species of the snowshoe hare bunyavirus have been analyzed by duplex analyses involving hybridization of complementary RNA to individual 32P-labeled viral RNA species (large, L; medium, M; and small, S), recovery of nuclease-resistant duplexes, and determination of the oligonucleotide fingerprints of the protected 32P-labeled viral sequences. The result for the M RNA (which codes for the glycoproteins G1 and G2; J. R. Gentsch and D. H. L. Bishop, J. Virol. 30:767-770, 1979) indicates that there is a single polycistronic M mRNA. Similar results were obtained for the L and S RNA species. In vitro translation studies with the S complementary RNA species of snowshoe hare virus as well as melted purified S duplexes substantiate earlier genetic and molecular studies (J. R. Gentsch and D. H. L. Bishop, J. Virol. 28:417-419, 1978; J. Gentsch, D. H. L. Bishop, and J. F. Obijeski, J. Gen. Virol. 34-257-268, 1977), which indicate that S mRNA codes for the virion nucleocapsid protein N.     

Biological roles and functional mechanisms of arenavirus z protein in viral replication

Arenaviruses can cause severe hemorrhagic fever diseases in humans, with limited prophylactic or therapeutic measures. A small RING-domain viral protein Z has been shown to mediate the formation of virus-like particles and to inhibit viral RNA synthesis, although its biological roles in an infectious viral life cycle have not been directly addressed. By taking advantage of the available reverse genetics system for a model arenavirus, Pichinde virus (PICV), we provide the direct evidence for the essential biological roles of the Z protein's conserved residues, including the G2 myristylation site, the conserved C and H residues of RING domain, and the poorly characterized C-terminal L79 and P80 residues. Dicodon substitutions within the late (L) domain (PSAPPYEP) of the PICV Z protein, although producing viable mutant viruses, have significantly reduced virus growth, a finding suggestive of an important role for the intact L domain in viral replication. Further structure-function analyses of both PICV and Lassa fever virus Z proteins suggest that arenavirus Z proteins have similar molecular mechanisms in mediating their multiple functions, with some interesting variations, such as the role of the G2 residue in blocking viral RNA synthesis. In summary, our studies have characterized the biological roles of the Z protein in an infectious arenavirus system and have shed important light on the distinct functions of its domains in virus budding and viral RNA regulation, the knowledge of which may lead to the development of novel antiviral drugs.     

Detection of Avian Tumor Virus RNA in Uninfected Chicken Embryo Cells

Uninfected chicken embryo cells were analyzed for the presence of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) by molecular hybridization with the single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) product of the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase contained in avian sarcoma-leukosis virions. Viral RNA was detected in all cells which contained the avian tumor virus group-specific antigen and the virus-related helper factor. The amounts of viral RNA in these cells ranged from approximately 3 to 40 copies of viral-specific sequences per cell. In general, the viral RNA content correlated with the level of helper activity in the cells. Cells infected with Rous-associated virus 2 contained 3,000 to 4,000 copies of viral RNA per cell. RNA from these infected cells hybridized with nearly 100% of the viral (3)H-DNA. By contrast, a maximum of less than 50% hybridization was obtained with RNA from the uninfected helper-positive cells, suggesting that not all of the viral RNA sequences were present in these cells. No viral RNA was detected in cells which lacked group-specific antigen and helper activity. Under the conditions used in these studies, less than 0.3 viral genome equivalents of RNA per cell would have been detected.     

Nonrandom segregation of parental alleles in reovirus reassortants.

To test for nonrandom segregations among their 10 genomic RNA segments, we examined a set of 83 reassortants derived from mammalian reovirus type 1 Lang and type 3 Dearing. After confirming the genotypes of the reassortants, we performed statistical analyses on the distributions of parental alleles for each of the 10 gene segments, as well as for the 45 possible pairings of the 10 segments. The analyses revealed nonrandom associations of parental alleles in the L1-L2, L1-M1, L1-S1, and L3-S1 segment pairs, at levels indicating high statistical significance (P < 0.005). Such associations may reflect specific interactions between viral components (protein-protein, protein-RNA, or RNA-RNA) and may influence both the evolution of reoviruses in nature and their genetic analysis in the laboratory. The data may also support an hypothesis that reovirus reassortants commonly contain mutations that improve their fitness for independent replication.     

Expression of integrated hepatitis B virus DNA in PLC/PRF/5, Hep 3B, and L6EC3 cell lines detected by in situ hybridisation

The expression of the DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was analysed in three cell lines (PLC/PRF/5, Hep 3B, L6EC3) which contain the HBV DNA integrated in their genome and release the viral surface antigen (HBsAg) in relation to cell growth. Using the in situ hybridisation technique and a cloned DNA probe specific for hepatitis B virus (PTKH9), the intracellular viral RNA localisation showed that for the three cell lines, HBV RNA are present in the different cell compartments according to the age of the culture. The nucleolar and nuclear localisation are visible in the early stages of the cell growth, whereas in the later stages viral RNA are found in the cytoplasm corresponding to the maximal production of the HBsAg. These observations suggest that the nucleolus is implicated in the expression of the integrated form of HBV genetic information, the regulation of which is linked to cell growth.     

Induction of cell death in human immunodeficiency virus-infected macrophages and resting memory CD4 T cells by TRAIL/Apo2l

Because the persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in cellular reservoirs presents an obstacle to viral eradication, we evaluated whether tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) induces apoptosis in such reservoirs. Lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from uninfected donors do not die following treatment with either leucine zipper human TRAIL (LZhuTRAIL) or agonistic anti-TRAIL receptor antibodies. By contrast, such treatment induces apoptosis of in vitro HIV-infected MDM as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients, including CD4(+) CD45RO(+) HLA-DR(-) lymphocytes. In addition, LZhuTRAIL-treated cells produce less viral RNA and p24 antigen than untreated controls. Whereas untreated cultures produce large amounts of HIV RNA and p24 antigen, of seven treated CD4(+) CD45RO(+) HLA-DR(-) cell cultures, viral RNA production was undetectable in all, p24 antigen was undetectable in six, and proviral DNA was undetectable in four. These data demonstrate that TRAIL induces death of cells from HIV-infected patients, including cell types which harbor latent HIV reservoirs.     

A viral RNA competitively inhibits the antiviral endoribonuclease domain of RNase L

Ribonuclease L (RNase L) is a latent endoribonuclease in an evolutionarily ancient interferon-regulated dsRNA-activated antiviral pathway. 2'-5' oligoadenylate (2-5A), the product of dsRNA-activated oligoadenylate synthetases (OASes), binds to ankyrin repeats near the amino terminus of RNase L, initiating a series of conformational changes that result in the activation of the endoribonuclease. A phylogenetically conserved RNA structure within group C enteroviruses inhibits the endoribonuclease activity of RNase L. In this study we report the mechanism by which group C enterovirus RNA inhibits RNase L. Viral RNA did not affect 2-5A binding to RNase L. Rather, the viral RNA inhibited the endoribonuclease domain. We used purified RNase L, purified 2-5A, and an RNA substrate with a 5' fluorophore and 3' quencher in FRET assays to measure inhibition of RNase L activity by the viral RNA. The group C enterovirus RNA was a competitive inhibitor of the endoribonuclease with a K(i) of 34 nM. Consistent with the kinetic profile of a competitive inhibitor, the viral RNA inhibited the constitutively active endoribonuclease domain of RNase L. We call this viral RNA the RNase L competitive inhibitor RNA (RNase L ciRNA).     

Assignment of the large oligonucleotides of vesicular stomatitis virus to the N, NS, M, G, and L genes and oligonucleotide gene ordering within the L gene.

Analyses of prototype vesicular stomatitis (VSV, Indiana serotype) mRNA-32P-labeled viral RNA duplexes have established the assignments of 65 of the 72 large oligonucleotides that are recovered by two-dimensional electrophoresis of RNase T1 digests of the viral RNA. Fifty of the oligonucleotides are recovered in the L RNA duplex, four each in the N, M, and NS duplexes, and three in the G RNA duplex. Studies of three small defective-particle RNA species indicate that they have only L gene oligonucleotides in addition to three of the seven unassigned oligonucleotides. Some L gene ordering of oligonucleotides can be postulated from the defective-particle RNA sequence analyses. Analyses of naturally occurring alternate isolates of VSV Indiana have established that by comparison to the prototype virus strain, the alternate isolates minimally have genome sequence differences in L, G, N, NS and/or unassigned regions of the genome. Changes in the genome have also been induced by vitro high-level mutagenesis of the prototype virus.     

Theiler's virus infection in nude mice: viral RNA in vascular endothelial cells

Infection of athymic (nu/nu) mice with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus results in an acute encephalitis which resembles poliomyelitis. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to delineate the presence of viral proteins and RNA in the nervous systems of nude mice infected with the Daniels strain of Theiler's virus. This system permits the analysis of a viral infection in the absence of an effective immune response. By immunohistochemistry, viral antigen was found in the processes and cell bodies of neurons and glial cells. Besides the presence of viral antigen in these cell types, by in situ hybridization, Theiler's virus RNA was also found in cells associated with vascular endothelium in the brains and spinal cords of these infected mice. Theiler's virus RNA-positive endothelial cells were observed not only near the primary lesions but also away from demonstrable lesions in normal-appearing regions in the central nervous system. Earlier work had suggested an intra-axonal dissemination for this virus (M. C. Dal Canto and H. L. Lipton, Am. J. Pathol. 106:20-29, 1982). Our findings are consistent with this model but also suggest an additional mechanism for virus spread within the central nervous system, i.e., by infecting vascular cells and crossing the blood-brain barrier. Lastly, after Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection, not only glial cells but also endothelial cells express major histocompatibility complex class II (la) antigen on their surface (M. Rodriguez, M. L. Pierce, and E. A. Howie, J. Immunol. 138:3438-3442, 1987). Our demonstration of Theiler's virus-infected endotheliumlike cells may explain interactions of virus products in stimulating antigen presentation.     

Hepatitis delta virus ribonucleoproteins shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection of individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with more severe liver damage and an increased risk of fulminant disease. HDV is a single-stranded RNA virus that encodes a single protein, the delta antigen, which is expressed in two forms, small (S-HDAg) and large (L-HDAg). Here we show that although HDV ribonucleoproteins are mainly detected in the nucleus, they are also present in the cytoplasm of cells infected with HDV or transfected with HDV cDNA. Making use of an heterokaryon assay, we demonstrate that HDV ribonucleoproteins shuttle continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the absence of HDV RNA, both forms of the delta antigen are retained in the nucleus, whereas in the absence of the delta antigen, HDV RNA is predominantly detected in the cytoplasm. Coexpression of HDV RNA and S-HDAg (which binds to the viral RNA and contains a nuclear localization signal) results in nuclear accumulation of the viral RNA. This suggests that HDV RNA mediates export of viral particles to the cytoplasm whereas the delta antigen triggers their reimport into the nucleus.     

Regulation of simian virus 40 gene expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Expression of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early and late regions was examined in Xenopus laevis oocytes microinjected with viral DNA. In contrast to the situation in monkey cells, both late-strand-specific (L-strand) RNA and early-strand-specific (E-strand) RNA could be detected as early as 2 h after injection. At all time points tested thereafter, L-strand RNA was synthesized in excess over E-strand RNA. Significantly greater quantities of L-strand, relative to E-strand, RNA were detected over a 100-fold range of DNA concentrations injected. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of [35S]methionine-labeled viral proteins revealed that while the majority of the VP-1 and all detectable small t antigen were found in the oocyte cytoplasm, most of the large T antigen was located in the oocyte nucleus. The presence of the large T antigen in the nucleus led us to investigate whether this viral product influences the relative synthesis of late or early RNA in the oocyte as it does in infected monkey cells. Microinjection of either mutant C6 SV40 DNA, which encodes a large T antigen unable to bind specifically to viral regulatory sequences, or deleted viral DNA lacking part of the large T antigen coding sequences yielded ratios of L-strand to E-strand RNA that were similar to those observed with wild-type SV40 DNA. Taken together, these observations suggest that the regulation of SV40 RNA synthesis in X. laevis oocytes occurs by a fundamentally different mechanism than that observed in infected monkey cells. This notion was further supported by the observation that the major 5' ends of L-strand RNA synthesized in oocytes were different from those detected in infected cells. Furthermore, only a subset of those L-strand RNAs were polyadenylated.     

Gene mapping in Pichinde virus: assignment of viral polypeptides to genomic L and S RNAs.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Pichinde virus encodes at least three primary translation products. Using wild-type Pichinde and Munchique viruses and a reassortant between the two, designated RE-2, we were able to assign polypeptides L, GPC, and NP to viral L and S RNAs. The RE-2 virus contains the L RNA of Pichinde virus and the S RNA of Munchique virus. Two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping of L-[35S]methionine-containing peptides demonstrated that NP and GPC were identical in Munchique and RE-2 viruses, and both differed from the corresponding Pichinde virus tryptic profiles. On the basis of this, NP and GPC must be encoded by viral S RNA. Similar comparisons for L polypeptide demonstrated that L is a virus-specific polypeptide encoded by L RNA.     

trans-dominant inhibition of human hepatitis delta virus genome replication.

Infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an important cause of acute and chronic liver disease and can be rapidly fatal. Sequencing of the HDV RNA genome has revealed variability at the C-terminal end of the delta antigen reading frame. One genome type (termed the S genome) synthesizes a 24-kDa protein thought to be required for genome replication. Another genome type (termed the L genome) extends the reading frame by 19 amino acids as a result of a single base change. Replication of the S and L genomes was studied in cultured fibroblasts. While the S genome efficiently initiated genome replication, the L genome did not. Moreover, in a codelivery experiment, L genome RNA inhibited replication of the S genome. Potent trans inhibition was also observed following cotransfection of the S genome and a plasmid encoding the larger delta antigen. Mutational analysis indicated that the inhibitory activity was not a simple function of the large delta antigen reading frame's extra length. Implications for the viral life cycle, clinical infection, and potential treatment are discussed.     

Persistent Sin Nombre virus infection in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) model: sites of replication and strand-specific expression

To address Sin Nombre (SN) virus persistence in deer mice, we sacrificed experimentally infected deer mice at eight time points from day 21 to day 217 postinoculation (p.i.) and examined their tissues for viral nucleocapsid (N) antigen expression and both negative-strand (genomic) and positive-strand (replicative/mRNA) viral S segment RNA titers. All the animals that we inoculated developed persistent infections, and SN virus could be isolated from tissues throughout the course of infection. The transition from an acute to a persistent pattern of infection appeared to occur between days 60 and 90 p.i. Beginning on day 60 p.i., the heart, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and lung retained antigen expression and genomic viral RNA the most frequently. We found a statistically significant association among the presence of replicative RNA in the heart, lung, and BAT, widespread antigen expression (in > or =5 tissues), and RNA viremia. Of these three tissues, the heart retained negative-strand RNA and viral N antigen the most consistently (in 25 of 26 animals). During persistence, there were two distinct patterns of infection: restricted versus disseminated tissue involvement. Mice with the restricted pattern exhibited N antigen expression in < or =3 tissues, an absence of viral RNA in the blood, neutralizing antibody titers of < or =1:1,280 (P = 0.01), and no replicative RNA in the heart, lung, or BAT. Those with the "disseminated" pattern showed N antigen expression in > or =5 tissues, neutralizing antibody titers of 1:160 to 1:20,480, replicative RNA in the heart, lung, and BAT at a high frequency, and RNA viremia. Virus could be isolated consistently only from mice that demonstrated the disseminated pattern. The heart, lung, and BAT are important sites for the replication and maintenance of SN virus during persistent infection.