Structure,function, and evolution of the Orthobunyavirus membrane fusion glycoprotein

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Bat pluripotent stem cells reveal unusual entanglement between host and viruses

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Current pathogenetic and molecular concepts in viral liver carcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in humans and in most cases a consequence of chronic infection of the liver by hepatotropic viruses (Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and possibly Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)). Formation of HCC results from a stepwise process involving different preneoplastic lesions that reflect multiple genetic events, like protooncogene activation, tumor suppressor gene inactivation, and growth factor overor reexpression. Recent investigations have gained new insights into how these factors are activated and may interact. In addition, improved knowledge of the molecular biology of HBV has led to better understanding of its pleiotropic effects on induction and progression in hepatocarcinogenesis     

Membrane transport and disease

Four situations in which membrane transport is altered by disease are discussed: (a) non-specific leaks induced by poreforming agents; (b) glucose transport and cellular stress; (c) Ca⁺-ATPase and hypertension; (d) Na^– channels and HSV infection.Keynote Lecture delivered at International Symposium onBiomembranes and Disease, on 1 November 1988 at Lucknow, India     

Are γδ T cells important for the elimination of virus-infected cells?

Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) gamma delta T cells were identified using a monoclonal antibody. The relative representation of gamma delta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleen resembles that of Homo sapiens. The analysis of function and specificity revealed further significant similarities between the simian and human gamma delta T-cell systems. Since both human and monkey gamma delta T lymphocytes can effectively lyse cells infected with immunodeficiency viruses, it is possible that the primate gamma delta T-cell systems contribute to antiviral immunosurveillance.     

Fish cell lines: Establishment and characterization of nine cell lines from salmonids

Summary Nine permanent cell lines have been established from five species of salmonids native to America's Pacific Northwest. With the exception of a hepatoma from an adult trout, the lines were derived from normal tissues of embryonic or juvenile fish. Cells were routinely grown in Eagle's minimum essential medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. Optimum growth temperatures for these lines ranged from 21 to 24°C. All survived storage for at least 1 yr at −65°C and at least 5 yr in liquid nitrogen. Six of the lines were demonstrably free of any microbial contamination but mycoplasmas were found in three. Eight of the lines were heteroploid. The morphology of only one was fibroblastic. All the lines effectively replicated one or more of the common salmonid viruses. Isozyme patterns were consistent with those of the species of origin. These cell lines have significant application in fish virology. This work is a result of research sponsored in part by the Oregon State University Sea Grant College Program supported by NOAA Office of Sea Grant, U.S. Department of Commerce, under Grant NA79AA-D-0016 and by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife under PL-89304 Anadromous Fish Act and is Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Paper 6857.     

Fish cell lines: Two new cell lines derived from explants of trunk musculature ofCynoscion arenarius

Summary Two cell lines were established from explants of trunk musculature of healthy, males sand seatrout,Cynoscion arenarius. One of the lines, designated CyA-1, has been carried through 150 subcultures during 6 yr. The other, designated CyA-2, has been carried through 100 subcultures during 2 yr. Both lines grow well in L15 medium adjusted to 0.150M NaCl and supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Optimal growth occurs at temperatures between 24 and 30°C. The species of origin of both lines was confirmed by a cytotoxic antibody dye exclusion test. The karyotype of CyA-1 has not yet stabilized, showing a modal chromosome number of 120 at Passage 9, 89 at Passage 63, and 79 at Passage 100. The karyotype of CyA-2 is rather stable, with a modal chromosome number of 47 at Passage 1 and 49 at Passage 100. Chromosome morphology of CyA-2 is homogeneous (small, acrocentric), whereas the chromosomes of CyA-1 show considerable size variation (with small chromosomes possibly formed from fragmentation of original structures). Both lines were found to be free of bacterial or fungal contamination. Both lines supported replication of lymphocystis virus strains isolated fromBairdiella chrysura (the silver perch) and fromMicropogon undulatus (the Atlantic croaker) but were refractory to 11 other viruses (4 from fish, 1 from amphibians, and 6 from mammals). This study was supported in part by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Sea Grant No. 04-3-158-58.     

Evidence for p15 cleavage site in myc-specific proteins of avian MC29 and OK10 viruses

Myc-related proteins were precipitated from MC29 virus-transformed cells (PR-2) and from OK10 virus-transformed cells (9C) by anti-gag and anti-myc sera. Immunoprecipitates were cleaved with the avian retroviral protease p15 and the cleavage products analyzed in SDS-PAGE. Cleavage fragments of p110gag-myc (product of MC29 virus) and p58myc (product of OK10 virus) showed the presence of a p15 cleavage site within the myc-specific region. The site is missing in deletion mutants of MC29 virus.