Structure of avian orthoreovirus virion by electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction

Among members of the genus Orthoreovirus, family Reoviridae, a group of non-enveloped viruses with genomes comprising ten segments of double-stranded RNA, only the "non-fusogenic" mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs) have been studied to date by electron cryomicroscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction. In addition to MRVs, this genus comprises other species that induce syncytium formation in cultured cells, a property shared with members of the related genus Aquareovirus. To augment studies of these "fusogenic" orthoreoviruses, we used electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction to analyze the virions of a fusogenic avian orthoreovirus (ARV). The structure of the ARV virion, determined from data at an effective resolution of 14.6 A, showed strong similarities to that of MRVs. Of particular note, the ARV virion has its pentameric lambda-class core turret protein in a closed conformation as in MRVs, not in a more open conformation as reported for aquareovirus. Similarly, the ARV virion contains 150 copies of its monomeric sigma-class core-nodule protein as in MRVs, not 120 copies as reported for aquareovirus. On the other hand, unlike that of MRVs, the ARV virion lacks "hub-and-spokes" complexes within the solvent channels at sites of local sixfold symmetry in the incomplete T=13l outer capsid. In MRVs, these complexes are formed by C-terminal sequences in the trimeric mu-class outer-capsid protein, sequences that are genetically missing from the homologous protein of ARVs. The channel structures and C-terminal sequences of the homologous outer-capsid protein are also genetically missing from aquareoviruses. Overall, the results place ARVs between MRVs and aquareoviruses with respect to the highlighted features.     

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the S1 genome segment of turkey-origin reoviruses

Based on previous reports characterizing the turkey-origin avian reovirus (TRV) σB (σ2) major outer capsid protein gene, the TRVs may represent a new group within the fusogenic orthoreoviruses. However, no sequence data from other TRV genes or genome segments has been reported. The σC protein encoded by the avian reovirus S1 genome segment is the cell attachment protein and a major antigenic determinant for avian reovirus. The chicken reovirus S1 genome segment is well characterized and is well conserved in viruses from that species. This report details the amplification, cloning and sequencing of the entire S1 genome segment from two and the entire coding sequences of the σC, p10 and p17 genes from an additional five TRVs. Sequence analysis reveals that of the three proteins encoded by the TRV S1 genome segment, σC shares at most 57% amino acid identity with σC from the chicken reovirus reference strain S1133, while the most similar p10 and p17 proteins share 72% and 61% identity, respectively, with the corresponding S1133 proteins. The most closely related mammalian reovirus, the fusogenic Nelson Bay reovirus, encodes a σC protein that shares from 25% to 28% amino acid identity with the TRV σC proteins. This report supports the earlier suggestion that the TRVs are a separate virus species within the Orthoreovirus genus, and may provide some insight into TRV host specificity and pathogenesis. NC/SEP–R44/03 S1 genome segment DQ525419 NC/98 S1 genome segment DQ995806 TRV sigmaC sequences DQ996601–DQ996605 TRV p10 sequences DQ996606–DQ996610 TRV p17 sequences DQ996611–DQ996615     

Comparative sequence analyses of a new mammalian reovirus genome and the mammalian reovirus S1 genes from six new serotype 2 human isolates

We previously described isolation of a potentially new mammalian reovirus, designated BYD1, which can cause clinical symptoms similar to that of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in guinea pigs and macaques, from throat swabs of one SARS patient of Beijing, in 2003. For this study, we determined the genome sequences of BYD1 and the S1 gene sequences of other five mammalian reovirus isolates (BLD, JP, and BYL were isolated from different SARS patients during the outbreak, 302I and 302II were isolated from fecal specimens of two children of Beijing in 1982) to allow molecular comparison with other previously reported mammalian reoviruses (MRVs). Comparative analyses of the BYD1 genome with those of three prototype mammalian reovirus strains demonstrated that BYD1 is a novel reassortant virus, with its S1 gene segment coming from a previously unidentified serotype 2 isolate and other nine segments coming from ancestors of homologous T1L and T3D segments, which supports the hypothesis that mammalian reovirus gene segments reassort in nature. Further analyses of the S1 segments of the six isolates showed that all the isolates are novel serotype 2 MRVs based on their S1 gene sequences, which are markedly different from those of all previously reported, and the S1 genes of the four new isolates share more than 99% identity with each other, proving that they diverged from a common ancestor most recently, and the S1 genes of the four new isolates share about 65% identity with those of the two strains isolated in 1982.     

Reptilian reovirus: a new fusogenic orthoreovirus species

The fusogenic subgroup of orthoreoviruses contains most of the few known examples of non-enveloped viruses capable of inducing syncytium formation. The only unclassified orthoreoviruses at the species level represent several fusogenic reptilian isolates. To clarify the relationship of reptilian reoviruses (RRV) to the existing fusogenic and nonfusogenic orthoreovirus species, we undertook a characterization of a python reovirus isolate. Biochemical, biophysical, and biological analyses confirmed the designation of this reptilian reovirus (RRV) isolate as an unclassified fusogenic orthoreovirus. Sequence analysis revealed that the RRV S1 and S3 genome segments contain a novel conserved 5'-terminal sequence not found in other orthoreovirus species. In addition, the gene arrangement and the coding potential of the bicistronic RRV S1 genome segment differ from that of established orthoreovirus species, encoding a predicted homologue of the reovirus cell attachment protein and a unique 125 residue p14 protein. The RRV S3 genome segment encodes a homologue of the reovirus sigma-class major outer capsid protein, although it is highly diverged from that of other orthoreovirus species (amino acid identities of only 16-25%). Based on sequence analysis, biological properties, and phylogenetic analysis, we propose this python reovirus be designated as the prototype strain of a fifth species of orthoreoviruses, the reptilian reoviruses.     

2株不同基因型树鼩呼肠孤病毒的分离和鉴定

目的 从腹泻树鼩的粪便样本中分离和鉴定病毒。方法 树鼩腹泻粪便样本分别接种Vero、LLC-MK2和KMB17细胞,经连续传代,观察记录细胞病变,并对培养上清进行透射电镜检查、病毒RNA-PAGE胶电泳分析、轮状病毒鉴别筛查、S1全长基因片段扩增和生物信息学分析。结果 树鼩腹泻粪便样品在KMB17、Vero 和LLC-MK2细胞上经连续3代次传代后,均能产生细胞病变。进一步经电镜检查、病毒RNA的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析和轮状病毒鉴别筛查,推测其为呼肠孤病毒。病毒基因组全长S1基因扩增、序列测定和分析结果表明,KMB17培养上清中获得的病毒与I型原型株T1L同源性最高,核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为85%和90%,因此该病毒定义为呼肠孤病毒I型。而LLC-MK2和Vero细胞上清中的病毒S1基因与III型原型株T3D核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为85%和92 %,因此为III型病毒。S1基因的遗传进化分析表明,本研究的分离株已经进化适应了树鼩。结论 本研究首次通过3种基质细胞和S1基因片段特异性引物从同一粪便样品中分离和鉴定了2个不同基因型呼肠孤病毒,对今后树鼩和其它宿主呼肠孤病毒的分离鉴定有一定的指导意义。     

实验小鼠呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型抗体检测能力验证结果评价

目的 通过实验小鼠呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型抗体检测能力验证计划，了解实验动物检测机构检验能力，提高实验动物质量检测水平。方法 按照CNAS批准的能力验证方案，血清经过标定后，经过稳定性和均匀性检验合格，作为能力验证样品。采用随机编号，发样给参加单位，并附作业指导书。在规定时限提交检验报告和原始记录复印件，其结果与样品预检结果一致的判为满意结果，不一致或未能提交结果的判为不满意结果。结果 共有17个省市的27个实验动物检测机构报名参加本次能力验证项目。27个检测机构均提交了满意结果，占总参加机构的100%。采用酶联免疫吸附实验（ELISA）方法的有26个检测机构，采用免疫荧光实验（IFA）方法的有1个检测机构。结论 实验动物质量检测机构实验小鼠呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型抗体检测能力较高，实施能力验证计划能够反映实验室的检测水平。     

呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型(Reo3)RT-PCR检测方法的建立

目的建立呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型(Reo3)RT-PCR检测方法,应用于实验动物及人用动物源性材料及生物制品外源Reo3的检测。方法根据已发表的呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型(Reo3)M1基因序列,设计合成引物。提取Reo3细胞毒RNA,以其为模板,进行PCR扩增。优化反应条件,进行特异性、敏感性、重复性试验。结果建立的Reo3RT-PCR检测方法特异、敏感、稳定。以Reo3 RNA逆转录产物为模板,所能检测RNA最小模板浓度为0.42pg/μL,可检测病毒最小滴度为10-9/mL。结论建立的呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型(Reo3)RT-PCR检测方法可用于实验动物及人用动物源性材料及生物制品外源Reo3的检测。     

Captivating Perplexities of Spinareovirinae 5′ RNA Caps

RNAs with methylated cap structures are present throughout multiple domains of life. Given that cap structures play a myriad of important roles beyond translation, such as stability and immune recognition, it is not surprising that viruses have adopted RNA capping processes for their own benefit throughout co-evolution with their hosts. In fact, that RNAs are capped was first discovered in a member of the Spinareovirinae family, Cypovirus, before these findings were translated to other domains of life. This review revisits long-past knowledge and recent studies on RNA capping among members of Spinareovirinae to help elucidate the perplex processes of RNA capping and functions of RNA cap structures during Spinareovirinae infection. The review brings to light the many uncertainties that remain about the precise capping status, enzymes that facilitate specific steps of capping, and the functions of RNA caps during Spinareovirinae replication.     

Novel Orthoreovirus from Mink,China, 2011

We identified a novel mink orthoreovirus, MRV1HB-A, which seems to be closely related to human strain MRV2tou05, which was isolated from 2 children with acute necrotizing encephalopathy in 2005. Evolution of this virus should be closely monitored so that prevention and control measures can be taken should it become more virulent.     

Thermostabilizing mutations in reovirus outer-capsid protein mu1 selected by heat inactivation of infectious subvirion particles

The 76-kDa mu1 protein of nonfusogenic mammalian reovirus is a major component of the virion outer capsid, which contains 200 mu1 trimers arranged in an incomplete T=13 lattice. In virions, mu1 is largely covered by a second major outer-capsid protein, sigma3, which limits mu1 conformational mobility. In infectious subvirion particles, from which sigma3 has been removed, mu1 is broadly exposed on the surface and can be promoted to rearrange into a protease-sensitive and hydrophobic conformer, leading to membrane perforation or penetration. In this study, mutants that resisted loss of infectivity upon heat inactivation (heat-resistant mutants) were selected from infectious subvirion particles of reovirus strains Type 1 Lang and Type 3 Dearing. All of the mutants were found to have mutations in mu1, and the heat-resistance phenotype was mapped to mu1 by both recoating and reassortant genetics. Heat-resistant mutants were also resistant to rearrangement to the protease-sensitive conformer of mu1, suggesting that heat inactivation is associated with mu1 rearrangement, consistent with published results. Rate constants of heat inactivation were determined, and the dependence of inactivation rate on temperature was consistent with the Arrhenius relationship. The Gibbs free energy of activation was calculated with reference to transition-state theory and was found to be correlated with the degree of heat resistance in each of the analyzed mutants. The mutations are located in upper portions of the mu1 trimer, near intersubunit contacts either within or between trimers in the viral outer capsid. We propose that the mutants stabilize the outer capsid by interfering with unwinding of the mu1 trimer.