The antigen of hepatitis delta virus: examination of in vitro RNA-binding specificity.

The only known protein of hepatitis delta virus (HDV), the delta antigen, is found both within virus particles and within the nucleus of the infected cell, where it has one or more roles essential for RNA genome replication. Others have demonstrated that the antigen has the ability, in vitro, to specifically bind HDV RNA species. We report a further examination of this phenomenon, using partially purified recombinant protein, expressed as a fusion with the staphylococcal protein A. From Northwestern (RNA-immunoblot) analyses with both complete and various subdomains of HDV genomic and antigenomic RNAs, we found that a necessary feature for specific binding was that the RNA be able to fold to some extent into the so-called rodlike structure; this structure is a predicted intramolecular partial base-pairing of the circular RNA, with about 70% of all bases involved, so as to produce an unbranched rodlike structure. Six different subregions of the HDV rodlike structure, three on the genomic RNA and three on its complement, the antigenomic RNA, were tested and found to be sufficient for antigen binding. However, features in addition to the rodlike structure may also be necessary for specific binding, because we found that a similar structure present in the RNA of the potato spindle tuber viroid did not allow binding.     

Phosphorylation in the carboxyl-terminal domain of the capsid protein of hepatitis B virus: evaluation with a monoclonal antibody.

The capsid protein of hepatitis B virus (p21c) is made of 183 amino acids coded for by the C gene. By using p21c isolated from Dane particles (hepatitis B virus) as an immunogen, a monoclonal antibody (no. 2212) which recognized an epitope dependent on the phosphorylation of p21c was raised. The binding of no. 2212 antibody to authentic p21c was completely inhibited by a synthetic undecapeptide with a sequence of RRRSQSPRRRR, representing amino acids 165 to 175 of p21c, only when the peptide was phosphorylated. Either or both of Ser-168 and Ser-170 were phosphorylated in p21c in vivo, therefore, and contributed to the manifestation of the epitope. No. 2212 antibody bound to p21c from core particles derived from Dane particles or hepatocellular carcinoma tissues (PLC/342) propagated in nude mice but did not bind to p21c from core particles expressed in Escherichia coli or yeast cells, indicating different states of phosphorylation in them. Nonphosphorylated p21c showed a higher affinity for the viral DNA than did phosphorylated p21c. Since the serum from an asymptomatic carrier, with a high titer for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, specifically bound to phosphorylated undecapeptide (amino acids 165 to 175), the epitope would stimulate humoral antibody responses in the human host.     

Recombinational analysis of a natural noncytopathic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolate: role of the vif gene in HIV-1 infection kinetics and cytopathicity.

Two molecularly cloned coisolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been found to exhibit different phenotypes of viral expression, either rapid and cytopathic (N1T-A virus) or delayed and noncytopathic (N1T-E virus [X. Ma, K. Sakai, F. Sinangil, E. Golub, and D. J. Volsky, Virology 176:184-194, 1990]). To identify the viral genetic elements responsible for these phenotypes, we prepared reciprocal recombinants in different regions of N1T-A and N1T-E viral genomes. Infectivity experiments with the recombinant viruses revealed that the rapid/cytopathic (N1T-A-like) phenotype assorted cleanly with the V1f-coding region and Vif expression. The smallest HIV-1 DNA region that conferred the complete phenotypic switch was a 284-bp NdeI-StuI fragment within the vif open reading frame. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a 35-bp deletion starting at nucleotide 218 in the N1T-E vif gene. A 23-kDa Vif protein was detected by immunoblotting using Vif-specific antiserum in extracts of cells infected with N1T-A but not N1T-E virus. No detectable vif protein was found in association with sedimented particles of either virus. Cotransfection of a eucaryotic vif expression plasmid with N1T-E DNA complemented the N1T-E defect; rapid/cytopathic infection similar to that in N1T-A-transfected cells was observed. We conclude that Vif controls the rate, and consequently the cytopathic outcome, of HIV-1 infection.     

Metacercarial infections of Paragonimus westermani in freshwater crabs sold in markets in Seoul

Status of metacercarial infections of Paragonimus westermani was observed in freshwater crabs, which were purchased at 3 markets in its peak season of 1990. All of 85 crabs were Eriocheir japonicus. No other species of Eriocheir were found. When crushed muscle and viscera was examined individually, the infection rate was 11.8%; and mean number of metacercariae was 2.1 per infected crab. Unless adequately cooked, freshwater crabs are still potential sources of human paragonimiasis.     

A case of anisakiasis causing intestinal obstruction

A 31-year old salesman living in Seoul developed suddenly abdominal pain due to intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy exhibited segmental jejunal cellulitis caused by penetrating Anisakis larva. The patient had eaten raw fish. The typical history of intestinal anisakiasis was presented with a short review of Korean patients of anisakiasis.     

Component proteins in crude extract of adult Paragonimus westermani purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies.

The nature of 2 component proteins in crude saline extract of adult Paragonimus westermani was investigated. By immunoaffinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) as ligands, the proteins were purified from the crude extract. Band 1 protein in disc-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was purified by PFCK-136 MAb. The protein, known to have molecular mass of 440 kDa, was composed of 23, 46 and 92 kDa subunits when observed by reducing SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE/immunoblot. This protein was originated from eggs of the worm as revealed by immunohistochemical staining with PFCK-136 Mab. Another affinity purified protein utilizing PFCK-44 MAb was the band 4 protein of 17 kDa in disc-PAGE. This was a monomer protein in reducing SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE/immunoblot. The protein was produced at intestinal epithelium of the worm.     

Characterization of acute and latent herpes simplex virus infection of dorsal root ganglia in rats.

The characteristics of HSV type-1 infection following subcutaneous inoculation in the dorsum of one hind paw of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied to determine whether infection in rats might more closely parallel the infection in man than is seen in other animals. The serologic and virologic characteristics of acute and latent ganglion infection conformed to those of human infection. Immunohistochemical studies suggested that sensory ganglion infection arose via centripetal axonal migration of virus as is hypothesized in man. In rat, small type B neuronal cell bodies appeared central to the maintenance of latent infection and reactivation observed during cocultivation of lumbar ganglia. Acute and latent lumbar sensory ganglion infection in rats after subcutaneous hind paw injection of HSV-1 appears to be another suitable model of this infection in man.     

Serum IgE levels in rats infected with Paragonimus westermani]

Paragonimus westermani is a common fluke in Korea. The present study aimed to determine serum total IgE and specific IgG levels in experimental paragonimiasis of rats. Each Wistar rat was inoculated orally with 20-25 metacercariae of P. westermani from Cambaroides similis. Before and after infection (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 weeks) of P. westermani, the blood was collected from the retro-orbital venous plexus of rats and kept serum at -70 degrees C. Serum total IgE and specific IgG levels were determined by the capture and conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The results were as follows; 1. Serum IgE values were increased to 0.18 +/- 0.042 at 2 weeks, 0.28 +/- 0.151 at 4 weeks and 0.43 +/- 0.055 at 8 weeks after infection. The absorbances of non-infected rats ranged 0.07 +/- 0.021-0.12 +/- 0.025. 2. Specific IgG values were slightly increased at 3 weeks (0.20 +/- 0.032) and gradually increased up to 8 weeks (0.31 +/- 0.067) after infection. The absorbances of non-infected rats ranged 0.11 +/- 0.035-0.18 +/- 0.019. The present results suggested that P. westermani could elevate serum IgE and specific IgG antibodies in Wistar rats which were not a good definitive host.