Infectious cDNA clone of the RA27/3 vaccine strain of Rubella virus.

Rubella virus (RUB), a small plus-strand RNA virus, is a significant human pathogen. The RA27/3 vaccine strain of RUB is one of the most successful live attenuated vaccines developed. In this article, we report the construction of an RA27/3 infectious clone, a complete cDNA copy of the RA27/3 genome that can be transcribed in vitro to generate infectious RNA molecules. Virus generated from such in vitro transcripts was phenotypically similar to RA27/3 virus. To investigate the attenuation of the RA27/3 strain, a series of chimeras was made by the insertion of different fragments of the RA27/3 genome into an infectious clone based on the Therien wild-type strain of RUB. Analysis of the resulting chimeric viruses revealed that the pattern of RA27/3 attenuation in cell culture is complex: attenuating elements in the RA27/3 genome were found in the 5' untranslated region (UTR), a region of the nonstructural proteins containing the protease motif and the capsid gene. Within the 5' UTR, the attenuation determinant was mapped to nt 7. Surprisingly, these analyses also revealed a potentiating mutation at nt 164 of the RA27/3 genome. Although this determinant was within the coding sequences of the nonstructural proteins, the encoded amino acid had no effect on cell culture phenotype and thus the determinant may operate at the level of RNA structure. In addition to investigation of the mechanisms of RA27/3 attenuation, the availability of the RA27/3 infectious clone offers the opportunity for strict genetic control over RUB vaccine manufacturing, for development of novel DNA-based vaccines against RUB, and for development of recombinant RUB vaccines that also target other diseases.

Achalasia is not associated with measles or known herpes and human papilloma viruses.

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology. Several studies suggest possible herpes or measles virus etiology, but results are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to test whether herpesvirus (HV), measles (MV), or human papilloma virus (HPV) sequences could be detected in myotomy specimens from a wide spectrum of achalasia patients, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Myotomy specimens from 13 achalasia patients, esophagectomy specimens from nine esophageal cancer patients, and autopsy specimens from six fetuses were studied with the PCR technique. Paired oligonucleotide primers of HV (HSV-1 and 2, CMV, EBV, VZV, and HHV-6), MV and HPV sequences and exon 3 of the HPRT gene were used for the PCR DNA amplification. Amplified products were resolved on agarose gels and stained with ethidium bromide. All specimens yielded the appropriate-sized products for exon 3 of the HPRT and viral controls. No amplified products were seen in the achalasia specimens or controls corresponding to any of the virus sequences tested. The absence of HV, MV, and HPV sequences suggests that these viruses are not associated with achalasia but does not exclude the possibility of a previously unidentified virus as a causal agent. Further studies aimed at identifying an unknown viral agent as a cause for achalasia are warranted.

Down-regulation of paramyxovirus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein surface expression by a mutant fusion protein containing a retention signal for the endoplasmic reticulum.

The human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins are the principal components involved in virion receptor binding, membrane penetration, and ultimately, syncytium formation. While the requirement for both F and HN in this process has been determined from recombinant expression studies, stable physical association of these proteins in coimmunoprecipitation studies has not been observed. In addition, coexpression of other heterologous paramyxovirus F or HN glycoproteins with either HPIV3 F or HN does not result in the formation of syncytia, suggesting serotype-specific protein differences. In this study, we report that simian virus 5 and Sendai virus heterologous HN proteins and measles virus hemagglutinin (H) were found to be down-regulated when coexpressed with HPIV3 F. As an alternative to detecting physical associations of these proteins by coimmunoprecipitation, further studies were performed with a mutant HPIV3 F protein (F-KDEL) lacking a transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic tail and containing a carboxyl-terminal retention signal for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). F-KDEL was defective for transport to the cell surface and could down-regulate surface expression of HPIV3 HN and heterologous HN/H proteins from simian virus 5, Sendai virus, and measles virus in coexpression experiments. HN/H down-regulation appeared to result, in part, from an early block to HPIV3 HN synthesis, as well as an instability of the heterologous HN/H proteins within the ER. In contrast, coexpression of F-KDEL with HPIV3 wild-type F or the heterologous receptor-binding proteins, respiratory syncytial virus glycoprotein (G) and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (G), were not affected in transport to the cell surface. Together, these results support the notion that the reported serotype-specific restriction of syncytium formation may involve, in part, down-regulation of heterologous HN expression.

Temperature-sensitive phenotype of the human parainfluenza virus type 3 candidate vaccine strain (cp45) correlates with a defect in the L gene.

We have previously demonstrated that the temperature sensitivity of a human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) candidate vaccine strain (cp45), which is currently under evaluation in humans, is associated with poor transcriptional activity of the virus at the nonpermissive temperature (R. Ray, K. Meyer, F. Newman, and R. B. Belshe, J. Virol. 69:1959-1963, 1995). In this study, the temperature sensitivity of cp45 virus was further investigated by the complementation of a specific gene function. CV-1 cells were transfected with cloned genes from wild-type HPIV-3 encoding the large protein (L), phosphoprotein (P), and nucleocapsid protein (NP), alone or together, for the expression of biologically active proteins. Only cells expressing the L gene were able to rescue cp45 replication when incubated at the nonpermissive temperature (39.5 degrees C), whereas cells transiently expressing NP or P were incapable of rescuing the virus. The virus titers obtained following complementation of the L protein were 190 to 2,300 PFU/ml of culture medium, compared with the undetectable growth of the cp45 temperature-sensitive mutant at the nonpermissive temperature. Rescued progeny virus still maintained the temperature-sensitive phenotype. Results from this study suggest that the temperature sensitivity of the cp45 candidate vaccine strain is associated primarily with L-protein function and that the defect can be complemented by transient expression of the wild-type protein. This study underscores the importance of the L protein in RNA polymerase activity and its critical role in virus replication.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3: analysis of the cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane anchor of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein in promoting cell fusion.

The role of the cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane anchor of the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein in promoting cell fusion was investigated. A series of amino terminal deletion mutants (d10, d20, d27, d31, d40, d44, and d73) were compared for processing, cell surface expression, and maintenance of their biological attributes by recombinant expression of mutant genes using a plasmid vector (pcDL-SR alpha-296) in CV-1 and HeLa cells. To determine the fusion promoting activity (FPA) of the various mutant proteins, a simple assay was developed which quantified the fusion of two different HeLa cell types. One of the cell types, HeLa-tat, constitutively expressed the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) tat protein from a Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat (LTR), while the second cell type, HeLa beta-gal, contained a reporter gene, beta-galactosidase, under the control of an HIV1-LTR. Fusion of mixed HeLa cell monolayers (50:50, HeLa-tat: HeLa beta-gal), following transfection with appropriate plasmids, resulted in transactivation of the reporter gene which was then measured by direct staining of cells or using cell lysates with appropriate substrates. Cell fusion was observed only when both the HPIV3 F and functional HN proteins were both co-transfected into cells. Of the seven deletion mutants examined, only d10, d20, d27 and d31 were expressed to significant levels on the cell surface and only these four mutant proteins maintained FPA. Compared with the wt HN at 48 h post transfection, d10 and d20 had enhanced FPA (119% and 158%, respectively), while d27 and d31 were diminished (74% and > 4%, respectively). Analysis of protein expression suggested that the reason for the increase in FPA of the mutant proteins was that the levels of protein expressed at the cell surface was twofold or threefold higher for d10 and d20, respectively, compared to the wt HN.

Role of basic residues in the proteolytic activation of Sendai virus fusion glycoprotein.

Cleavage activation of the Sendai virus (Fushimi strain) fusion (F) protein was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis of the amino acids proximal to the highly conserved fusion peptide. In addition, the functional properties of the wild-type and mutant proteins were examined to determine their ability to elicit the formation of syncytia when co-expressed with the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein. Viral genes were expressed from recombinant T7 transcription vectors (pT7/T3 plasmids) containing F or HN genes, after transfection into cells previously infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing T7 RNA polymerase (vTF7-3). The wild-type F protein sequence (112VPQSRF) which contains a monobasic cleavage activation site was altered to include a tribasic, 112VPRKRF (mB3), or a pentabasic sequence, 112RRRKRF (mB5) adjacent to the fusion peptide. Although addition of basic residues to the normal protein sequence resulted in enhanced cleavage activation of the mB3 and mB5 proteins, only the mB5 protein was able to induce syncytia formation in CV-1 or HeLa T4 cells. Further analysis by the introduction of acidic residues upstream of the cleavage activation site was performed to determine whether increased hydrophilicity of the surrounding residues might contribute to cleavage activation. The mutants examined, mAcB1 (104NDDEENAGVPQSRF), mAcB3 (104NDDEENAGVPRKRF), and mAcB5 (104NDDEENAGRRRKRF) all contained DEE in replacement for the wild-type TTQ sequence (104NDTTQNAGVPQSRF). Analysis showed that only mAcB3 was efficiently cleaved by the endogenous cellular proteases, while mAcB1 was minimally cleaved, and mAcB5 not at all. Consequently, only the mAcB3 mutant was able to support fusion of CV-1 or HeLa T4 cells when co-expressed with HN.

Analysis of the C-polyhedrin genes from different geographical isolates of a type 5 cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus.

The C-polyhedrin genes of two different geographic isolates of a type 5 cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) were cloned. A CPV infecting Orgyia pseudotsugata (OpCPV), isolated in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A., and a CPV infecting Heliothis armigera, isolated in South Africa, were studied. Both genes were found to be 883 nucleotides in length and encoded a predicted protein of 246 residues (M(r) of 28,890). Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of these two viruses with another type 5 geographic isolate, infecting Euxoa scandens (EsCPV; isolated in Eastern Canada), showed that there were only 17 nucleotide differences among the three genes. The only nucleotide variation that had an effect on the encoded protein was a deletion of nucleotide 774 in the gene of EsCPV. The deletion introduces a frameshift mutation resulting in the alteration of the carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequence. Sequence alignment of the OpCPV C-polyhedrin showed little homology to a type 1 CPV (infecting Bombyx mori) or with analogous proteins (N-polyhedrins) from two baculoviruses infecting O. pseudotsugata. Interestingly, most of the conserved residues between the N- and C-polyhedrins were either basic or aromatic amino acids.

Analysis of respiratory syncytial virus F, G, and SH proteins in cell fusion.

Recombinant expression of the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein, receptor-binding glycoprotein (G), and small hydrophobic (SH) protein was performed to determine the role(s) of these proteins in syncytia formation. These studies used a vaccinia virus expressing the bacteriophage (T7) RNA polymerase gene and plasmid vectors containing the RSV genes under the control of a T7 promoter. Within the context of this expression system, expression of any individual RSV gene, or coexpression of F+G genes, did not elicit the formation of syncytia. However, at plasmid input levels which were 10-fold higher than those normally used, coexpression of F+G induced low but detectable levels of cell fusion. In contrast, coexpression of F, G, and SH together elicited extensive cell fusion resembling that of an authentically infected cell monolayer. In addition, coexpression of F and SH elicited significant cell fusion, although to a lesser extent than was observed when G was included. Cell fusion induced by coexpression of F+SH was found to be specific to the RSV proteins, since coexpression of SH with the analogous F proteins from human parainfluenza virus type 3, human parainfluenza virus type 2, Sendai virus, or simian virus type 5 (SV5) did not elicit cell fusion. Finally, coexpression of the SV5 SH protein with the RSV or SV5 glycoproteins also failed to induce syncytia, suggesting type-specific restrictions between the two sets of viral proteins.

Paramyxovirus mediated cell fusion requires co-expression of both the fusion and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoproteins.

Syncytia formation in either CV-1 or HeLa T4+ cells required recombinant expression of both fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins from the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3), human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2), and simian virus 5 (SV5). In this system, recombinant T7 transcription vectors (pT7-5 or pGEM) containing F or HN, were transfected individually or in combination into cells previously infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing T7 RNA polymerase (vTF7-3). While both proteins were processed and expressed at the cell surface, syncytia formation occurred only when both glycoproteins were co-expressed. The function of HN in the fusion process could not be replaced using lectins or by co-expression of heterologous F and HN proteins. Further, cell fusion was not observed when experiments were performed using individually expressed F and HN proteins in adjacent cells. The data presented in this report support the notion that a specific interaction between both paramyxoviral glycoproteins is required for the formation of syncytia in tissue culture monolayers.

RNA editing in the phosphoprotein gene of the human parainfluenza virus type 3.

RNA editing of the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) phosphoprotein (P) gene was found to occur for the accession of an alternate discontinuous cistron. Editing occurred within a purine-rich sequence (AAUUAAAAAAGGGGG) found at the mRNA nucleotides 791-805. This sequence resembles an HPIV3 consensus transcription termination sequence and is located at the 5'-end of the putative D protein coding sequences. Editing at an alternate site (AAUUGGAAAGGAAAGG), mRNA nucleotides 1121-1136, for accession of a conserved V cistron, which is present in a number of paramyxovirus P genes, was not found to occur in HPIV3. In contrast with many other paramyxoviruses, editing was indiscriminate with the insertion of 1-12 additional G residues not present in the gene template. RNA editing was found to occur in both in vivo (HPIV3 infected cells) and in vitro (purified nucleocapsid complexes) synthesized mRNAs. Further, the in vitro prepared mRNA was edited regardless of whether the nucleocapsid complexes were transcribed in the presence or absence of uninfected human lung carcinoma (HLC) cell lysates. These results support the notion that RNA editing appears to be exclusively a function of viral proteins.

Characterization of human parainfluenza virus type 3 persistent infection in cell culture.

Three cell lines persistently infected with human parainfluenza virus type 3 were characterized on a molecular level in this study. All six structural protein genes were transcribed into monocistronic RNAs in the persistently infected cells. In both acutely and persistently infected cells, polycistronic transcripts were abundant, although the ratio of polycistronic to monocistronic transcripts was reduced in the persistently infected cells. Each of the persistently infected cell lines contained a distinct subgenomic RNA species. The subgenomic RNAs were present in purified nucleocapsid cores, indicating that they represent viral genome RNA, were far more abundant than full-length RNA, and were stably maintained through at least 36 cell passages. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the subgenomic RNAs from two of the persistently infected cell lines revealed that the 5' ends are identical to that of the standard genome. Hybridization experiments with oligonucleotide probes showed that both fragments retain sequences from the 5' end of the standard genome and contain approximately 1,200 nucleotides (cell line 1) and 1,500 nucleotides (cell line 2) of the polymerase gene sequence. The demonstration of several alterations in viral gene expression in persistently infected cells offers insight into the factors associated with persistence of parainfluenza virus 3.

Characterization of an in vitro system for the synthesis of mRNA from human parainfluenza virus type 3.

A cell extract derived from human parainfluenza virus type 3-infected human lung carcinoma (HLC) cells synthesized mRNA in vitro. Under optimal conditions, the extract was able to support transcription of all virus-encoded genes as determined by hybridization analyses. The RNA products contained full-length poly(A)-containing mRNA species similar to those observed in acutely infected cells. Further purification of the viral nucleocapsids from the infected HLC cell extract resulted in total loss of the capacity of the extract to synthesize mRNA in vitro. However, the addition of cytoplasmic extracts from uninfected HLC cells to the nucleocapsid preparations restored transcription to levels observed in the infected cell lysates, indicating requirement of a host factor(s) in the human parainfluenza virus type 3 transcription process. In distinction to the abundant transcription observed in the cell extract from HLC cells, cell extract prepared from CV-1 cells failed to support transcription in vitro. High levels of RNase activity in the cell extract from CV-1 cells appears to be the principal reason for this difference.

Expression of the fusion glycoprotein of human parainfluenza type 3 virus in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus and analysis of its immunogenic property.

The fusion (F) glycoprotein of human parainfluenza type 3 (PI3) virus was produced in insect cells using a baculovirus expression vector (pAcYM1). The recombinant glycoprotein was identified by its reactivity with specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and showed an apparent molecular mass of 70 kDa. Although the fusion protein was found on the infected cell surface, it did not appear to be proteolytically cleaved to F1 and F2 subunits. Immunization of hamsters with the recombinant protein elicited antibody which neutralized infectivity and blocked fusion of virus-infected cells. The protective response to challenge infection of immunized hamsters was similar to that observed with affinity purified F from PI3 virus (Ray et al., J. Virol. 62, 783-787, 1988).

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the human parainfluenza 3 virus gene encoding the L protein.

The sequence of the gene encoding the L protein of the human parainfluenza 3 virus was determined by direct dideoxy sequence analysis of the genomic 50 S RNA and confirmed by molecular cloning and sequence analysis of recombinant clones. A series of three overlapping clones was generated by primer extension using genomic 50 S RNA as the template. These clones originate within the 5' end of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene, span the entire L gene, and extend into the extracistronic 5' end of the viral RNA. The L gene extends 6755 nucleotides (inclusive of the putative transcription initiation and polyadenylation signal sequences) and encodes a protein consisting of 2233 amino acids (MW 255,812). There are 44 nucleotides downstream of the putative polyadenylation signal sequence which may represent a negative-strand leader. The complementary sequence of the extracistronic region is nearly identical to the 3' end of the viral RNA. Thirty-three of the first thirty-nine nucleotides of the 3' ends of the plus and minus strands are conserved. Comparison of amino acid sequence homology with other paramyxoviral L proteins indicates a high degree of sequence conservation with Sendai virus (62%) and Newcastle disease virus (28%). In addition, four smaller regions were identified which shared extensive homology with the L protein of vesicular stomatitis virus, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the human parainfluenza 3 virus genes encoding the surface glycoproteins, F and HN.

The sequence of the genes encoding the fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins of the human parainfluenza 3 virus was determined by molecular cloning. The genes were cloned by primer extension using genomic 50 S RNA as the template. A series of four overlapping clones was generated from the 3' end of the fusion gene which extended across the gene end and intergenic boundaries of the F-HN and HN-L genes. The F gene extends 1851 nucleotides (inclusive of the putative transcription initiation and polyadenylation signals) and encodes a protein consisting of 539 amino acids (mol wt 60,067). This protein contains four potential sites for N-linked glycosylation in the F1 subunit polypeptide and none in the F2 subunit polypeptide. The lack of a potential site of glycosylation in F2 makes this protein unique compared to other reported paramyxoviral F proteins. The HN gene extends 1888 nucleotides and encodes a protein consisting of 572 amino acids (mol wt 64,255). This protein contains four potential sites for N-linked glycosylation.

Immediate persistent infection by human parainfluenza virus 3: unique fusion properties of the persistently infected cells.

We describe here a persistently infected cell system with unique properties. Cells infected with human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PF3) at high multiplicities of infection showed little or no cytopathic effects (cell fusion). Unlike other paramyxovirus persistent infections that require a long development time, the majority of the cells survived the initial infection and formed persistently infected cell cultures that were immediately available for study. In addition, unlike other paramyxovirus persistent infections, the PF3 system described here produced high levels of infectious virus and did not undergo periodic crises. Although cells persistently infected with PF3 contained large amounts of the cleaved, active form of the viral fusion protein, F1, the persistently infected cells did not fuse with each other. However, they did fuse with uninfected cells within minutes of cell-to-cell contact. Other persistent paramyxovirus infections do not have this property. Fusion occurred with all cells tested, including red blood cells, and was not dependent on protein synthesis. The unique fusion properties of these PF3 persistently infected cells make this an interesting system for the study of mechanisms of viral fusion and mechanisms of inhibition of viral fusion.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the human parainfluenza 3 virus gene encoding the matrix protein.

The sequence of the matrix (M) protein gene and contiguous intergenic regions of the human parainfluenza 3 virus (PF3) was determined by molecular cloning. The encoded M protein contains 354 amino acids and has a predicted mol wt of 39,506. The M protein amino acid sequence was compared to the homologous proteins from other members of the Paramyxoviridae family. The PF3 protein shared 61% homology with the Sendai virus protein and approximately 35% homology with measles and canine distemper virus proteins. Little homology was observed with respiratory syncytial virus. The M protein appears to be the most highly conserved among the Paramyxoviridae proteins.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the human parainfluenza 3 virus mRNA encoding the P and C proteins.

The sequence of the mRNA encoding the phosphoprotein (P protein) of the human parainfluenza virus 3 (PF3) was determined by molecular cloning. In other Parmyxoviridae the P protein mRNA is functionally bicistronic and encodes an additional smaller nonstructural protein termed C. In this report three open reading frames (ORF) are described. These consist of a single long ORF encoding the P protein, and two shorter ORFs encoding the structural Vp18 protein (analogous to the Sendai C protein) and a putative polypeptide termed D protein. The encoded phosphoprotein consists of 603 amino acids and has a predicted molecular weight of 67,683. The C protein consists of 199 amino acids and has a predicted molecular weight of 23,288. The D protein consists of 140 amino acids and has a predicted molecular weight of 16,270. Although the D protein has not yet been demonstrated in vivo its synthesis could be demonstrated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Thus it appears that unlike the other paramyxoviruses, the PF3 P protein mRNA may be functionally tricistronic.