scholarly journals Transfection of Diaporthe perjuncta with Diaporthe RNA Virus

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 3952-3956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ntsane Moleleki ◽  
Schalk W. van Heerden ◽  
Michael J. Wingfield ◽  
Brenda D. Wingfield ◽  
Oliver Preisig
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Cryphonectria Parasitica ◽  
Pathogenicity Test ◽  
New Host ◽  
Rna Transcripts ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Diaporthe perjuncta is a pathogen of grapevines worldwide. A positive-strand RNA virus, Diaporthe RNA virus (DaRV), occurs in hypovirulent isolates of this fungus. A virus-free isolate from a South African grapevine was transfected with in vitro-transcribed positive strands of DaRV. Based on reverse transcription-PCR and partial sequence analysis, the transfected virus was identified as DaRV. The in vitro-transcribed RNA transcripts used to transfect fungal spheroplasts contained parts of the vector at their distal ends. These vector sequences were separated from the DaRV genome during replication in the new host. The transfected isolate had morphological features that differed from those of the isogenic virus-free strain, including production of a yellow pigment, a decreased growth rate, and lack of sporulation. An apple-based pathogenicity test did not reveal any differences in virulence between the virus-free and DaRV-transfected isolates. This study showed that virus-free fungal hosts can be successfully transfected with viruses other than the Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirus.

scholarly journals Entomophthovirus: An insect-derived iflavirus that infects a behavior manipulating fungal pathogen of dipterans

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell C. Coyle ◽  
Carolyn N. Elya ◽  
Michael Bronski ◽  
Michael B. Eisen
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Delia Radicum ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Entomophthora Muscae ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

AbstractWe discovered a virus infecting Entomophthora muscae, a behavior-manipulating fungal pathogen of dipterans. The virus, which we name Entomophthovirus, is a capsid-forming, positive-strand RNA virus in the viral family iflaviridae, whose known members almost exclusively infect insects. We show that the virus RNA is expressed at high levels in fungal cells in vitro and during in vivo infections of Drosophila melanogaster, and that virus particles are present in E. muscae. Two close relatives of the virus had been previously described as insect viruses based on the presence of viral genomes in transcriptomes assembled from RNA extracted from wild dipterans. By analyzing sequencing data from these earlier reports, we show that both dipteran samples were co-infected with E. muscae. We also find the virus in RNA sequencing data from samples of two other species of dipterans, Musca domestica and Delia radicum, known to be infected with E. muscae. These data establish that Entomophthovirus is widely, and seemingly obligately, associated with E. muscae. As other members of the iflaviridae cause behavioral changes in insects, we speculate on the possibility that Entomophthovirus plays a role in E. muscae involved host manipulation.

scholarly journals Assessing the Phytosanitary Risk Posed by an Intraspecific Invasion of Cryphonectria parasitica in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (12) ◽  
pp. 2055-2063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Dennert ◽  
Joana Beatrice Meyer ◽  
Daniel Rigling ◽  
Simone Prospero
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Castanea Sativa ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cryphonectria Parasitica ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
New Host ◽  
Phytosanitary Measures

Intraspecific cryptic invasions may occur when new strains of an invasive species are introduced into an area where this species had already been introduced previously. In plant pathogens, such invasions are not well studied, even if, potentially, they can have severe consequences. Here, we investigated the effects of a potential intraspecific invasion in Europe of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that (i) non-European strains are more virulent on Castanea sativa than those already present in Europe because they have never encountered this new host, and (ii) the variation in virulence among strains is higher within native than within introduced populations. In a greenhouse, 2-year-old C. sativa seedlings were inoculated with Cryphonectria parasitica strains from South Korea, the United States, and Switzerland, and lesion development and seedling mortality were recorded weekly. Additionally, growth and sporulation of the strains were measured in vitro on agar medium at 15 and 24°C. Although lesion growth was similar for all strains, seedlings inoculated with strains from South Korea and Switzerland died faster than seedlings inoculated with strains from the United States. Moreover, in vitro strains from South Korea grew faster and produced more spores at both temperatures than the strains from the other two countries. In conclusion, our results did not support the two hypotheses. All strains, regardless of their origin, were found to be highly virulent on the inoculated chestnut seedlings. Nevertheless, current phytosanitary measures to avoid the introduction of new genotypes of C. parasitica into Europe should be further implemented.

TaffiX® nasal powder spray forms an effective barrier against infectious new variants of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Mandelboim ◽  
Ella Mendelson ◽  
Yaron Drori ◽  
Nofar Atari ◽  
Tair Lapidot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Preclinical Study ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Effective Barrier ◽  
Gel Layer

Abstract Introduction: While vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 around the world are ongoing -, new high-infectious variants of the virus are being detected. The protection of the available vaccines against some of the new variants is weaker, and experts are concerned that newer as yet undescribed variants of this mutated RNA virus will eventually prove stable against the current vaccines. Additional preventive measures will therefore be needed to protect the population until effective vaccinations are widely available.TaffiX® is a personal, anti-viral nasal powder spray comprised of low pH Hypromellose that upon insufflation into the nose creates a thin gel layer covering the nasal mucosa and forming a protective mechanical barrier that prevents viruses from engaging with nasal cells- the main portal of entry for viruses. Taffix is commercially available in many countries across Europe, Asia America and Africa. In a prior preclinical study, TaffiX® was found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 Hong Kong/VM20001061/2020 in experimental in vitro conditions. A real-life clinical survey demonstrated that TaffiX® nasal spray significantly reduced the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate post mass-gathering event in a highly endemic community.Objective: The current study aimed to test the protective effect of Taffix against new pathogenic, highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro: the “British” B.1.1.7 (hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-46879-ngs/2020) and the “South African” B.1.351 (hCoV-19/Israel/CVL-2557-ngs/2020) variants.Study design: A TaffiX® gel was formed on a nylon filter, using an amount equivalent to a clinical dose of Taffix . Filters were then seeded with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (“British”) and B.1.351 (“South African”) variants. After a 10 -minute incubation at room temperature, the bottom of each filter was washed, and the resulting flow-through was collected and seeded into 24 -well plates containing Vero-E6 cells. After 5 days of incubation, a 200 µl sample from each well was taken for viral RNA extraction followed by SARS-CoV 2 RT-PCR analysis.Results: The TaffiX® gel completely blocked SARS-CoV-2 highly infectious variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in vitro, reducing the titer of recoverable infectious virus as well as viral RNA by 100%.Conclusions: Under in vitro conditions, TaffiX® formed an effective protective barrier against SARS-COV-2 variants (British variant and South African Variant). These results are consistent with prior findings demonstrating the in vitro high efficacy of Taffix gel in preventing viruses from reaching cells and infecting them. These results, added to clinical real-life studies performed with Taffix , support its use as an effective barrier against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunction with other protective measures.

scholarly journals RNA-Protein Interaction Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 5′ and 3′ Untranslated Regions Reveals a Role of Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein-2a during Viral Infection

mSystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Verma ◽  
Sandhini Saha ◽  
Shiv Kumar ◽  
Shailendra Mani ◽  
Tushar Kanti Maiti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Untranslated Regions ◽  
Host Proteins ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Replication Complex ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna

Replication of a positive-strand RNA virus involves an RNA-protein complex consisting of viral genomic RNA, host RNA(s), virus-encoded proteins, and host proteins. Dissecting out individual components of the replication complex will help decode the mechanism of viral replication. 5′ and 3′ UTRs in positive-strand RNA viruses play essential regulatory roles in virus replication.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Isolation and Propagation from Turkish COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cihan Tastan ◽  
Bulut Yurtsever ◽  
Gozde Sir ◽  
Derya Dilek Kancagi ◽  
Sevda Demir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Virus ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Characterization Studies ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Vaccine Testing ◽  
Republic Of Turkey

AbstractThe novel coronavirus pneumonia, which was named later as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, namely SARS-CoV-2. It is a positive-strand RNA virus that is the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans. The COVID-19 outbreak presents enormous challenges for global health behind the pandemic outbreak. The first diagnosed patient in Turkey has been reported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health on March 11, 2020. Today, over ninety thousand cases in Turkey, and two million cases around the world have been declared. Due to the urgent need for vaccine and anti-viral drug, isolation of the virus is crucial. Here, we report one of the first isolation and characterization studies of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens of diagnosed patients in Turkey. This study provides an isolation and replication methodology, and cell culture tropism of the virus that will be available to the research communities.Article SummaryScientists have isolated virus from Turkish COVID-19 patients. The isolation, propagation, and plaque and immune response assays of the virus described here will serve in following drug discovery and vaccine testing.

scholarly journals Antiviral Innate Immune Response Interferes with the Formation of Replication-Associated Membrane Structures Induced by a Positive-Strand RNA Virus

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diede Oudshoorn ◽  
Barbara van der Hoeven ◽  
Ronald W. A. L. Limpens ◽  
Corrine Beugeling ◽  
Eric J. Snijder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Virus Replication ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Membrane Structures ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Induced Membrane ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACTInfection with nidoviruses like corona- and arteriviruses induces a reticulovesicular network of interconnected endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) and other membrane structures. This network is thought to accommodate the viral replication machinery and protect it from innate immune detection. We hypothesized that the innate immune response has tools to counteract the formation of these virus-induced replication organelles in order to inhibit virus replication. Here we have investigated the effect of type I interferon (IFN) treatment on the formation of arterivirus-induced membrane structures. Our approach involved ectopic expression of arterivirus nonstructural proteins nsp2 and nsp3, which induce DMV formation in the absence of other viral triggers of the interferon response, such as replicating viral RNA. Thus, this setup can be used to identify immune effectors that specifically target the (formation of) virus-induced membrane structures. Using large-scale electron microscopy mosaic maps, we found that IFN-β treatment significantly reduced the formation of the membrane structures. Strikingly, we also observed abundant stretches of double-membrane sheets (a proposed intermediate of DMV formation) in IFN-β-treated samples, suggesting the disruption of DMV biogenesis. Three interferon-stimulated gene products, two of which have been reported to target the hepatitis C virus replication structures, were tested for their possible involvement, but none of them affected membrane structure formation. Our study reveals the existence of a previously unknown innate immune mechanism that antagonizes the viral hijacking of host membranes. It also provides a solid basis for further research into the poorly understood interactions between the innate immune system and virus-induced replication structures.IMPORTANCEViruses with a positive-strand RNA genome establish a membrane-associated replication organelle by hijacking and remodeling intracellular host membranes, a process deemed essential for their efficient replication. It is unknown whether the cellular innate immune system can detect and/or inhibit the formation of these membrane structures, which could be an effective mechanism to delay viral RNA replication. In this study, using an expression system that closely mimics the formation of arterivirus replication structures, we show for the first time that IFN-β treatment clearly reduces the amount of induced membrane structures. Moreover, drastic morphological changes were observed among the remaining structures, suggesting that their biogenesis was impaired. Follow-up experiments suggested that host cells contain a hitherto unknown innate antiviral mechanism, which targets this common feature of positive-strand RNA virus replication. Our study provides a strong basis for further research into the interaction of the innate immune system with membranous viral replication organelles.

Human ACE2 receptor polymorphisms predict SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric W. Stawiski ◽  
Devan Diwanji ◽  
Kushal Suryamohan ◽  
Ravi Gupta ◽  
Frederic A. Fellouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Virus ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
History Of ◽  
Positive Strand Rna Virus ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has resulted in a global pandemic. It is a highly contagious positive strand RNA virus and its clinical presentation includes severe to critical respiratory disease that appears to be fatal in ∼3-5% of the cases. The viral spike (S) coat protein engages the human angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2) cell surface protein to invade the host cell. The SARS-CoV-2 S-protein has acquired mutations that increase its affinity to human ACE2 by ∼10-15-fold compared to SARS-CoV S-protein, making it highly infectious. In this study, we assessed if ACE2 polymorphisms might alter host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 by affecting the ACE2 S-protein interaction. Our comprehensive analysis of several large genomic datasets that included over 290,000 samples representing >400 population groups identified multiple ACE2 protein-altering variants, some of which mapped to the S-protein-interacting ACE2 surface. Using recently reported structural data and a recent S-protein-interacting synthetic mutant map of ACE2, we have identified natural ACE2 variants that are predicted to alter the virus-host interaction and thereby potentially alter host susceptibility. In particular, human ACE2 variants S19P, I21V, E23K, K26R, T27A, N64K, T92I, Q102P and H378R are predicted to increase susceptibility. The T92I variant, part of a consensus NxS/T N-glycosylation motif, confirmed the role of N90 glycosylation in immunity from non-human CoVs. Other ACE2 variants K31R, N33I, H34R, E35K, E37K, D38V, Y50F, N51S, M62V, K68E, F72V, Y83H, G326E, G352V, D355N, Q388L and D509Y are putative protective variants predicted to show decreased binding to SARS-CoV-2 S-protein. Overall, ACE2 variants are rare, consistent with the lack of selection pressure given the recent history of SARS-CoV epidemics, however, are likely to play an important role in altering susceptibility to CoVs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document