Translational products encoded by newly acquired sequences of independently derived feline sarcoma virus isolates are structurally related.

Several years ago Karasaki (1) reported the production of type C virus particles by Novikoff ascites hepatocarcinoma cells. More recently, Weinstein (2) has reported the presence of type C virus particles in cell cultures derived from transplantable and primary hepatocellular carcinomas. To date, the biological function of these virus and their significance in chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis are unknown. The present studies were initiated to determine a possible role for type C virus particles in chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis. This communication describes results of studies on the biological and surface properties of type C virus associated with Novikoff hepatocarcinoma cells.Ecotropic and xenotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) activity in ascitic fluid of Novikoff tumor-bearing rats was assayed in murine sarcoma virus transformed S+L- mouse cells and S+L- mink cells, respectively. The presence of sarcoma virus activity was assayed in non-virus-producing normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. Ferritin conjugates of concanavalin A (Fer-Con wheat germ agglutinin (Fer-WGA), and Ricinus communis agglutinins I and II (Fer-RCAI and Fer-RCAII) were used to probe the structure and topography of saccharide determinants present on the viral envelope.

Download Full-text

GB Virus C/Hepatitis G Virus Isolates in Japanese Haemophiliacs and their Origins

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1615181 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 80 (08) ◽

pp. 242-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Yoshihide Fukuda ◽

Tetsuo Hayakawa ◽

Junki Takamatsu ◽

Hidehiko Saito ◽

Hiroaki Okamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sequence Similarity ◽

West African ◽

Blood Products ◽

Hepatitis G Virus ◽

Gb Virus C ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Hepatitis G ◽

Virus C ◽

Virus Isolates

SummaryJapanese haemophiliacs have been at high risk for infection with parenterally-transmissible viruses through the use of blood products, especially imported ones. Recently, novel transfusion-transmissible virus, GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) were isolated. We investigated the origin and route of transmission of GBV-C/HGV isolates in haemophiliacs in Japan. GBV-C/HGV RNA was measured by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 91 Japanese haemophiliacs. Phylogenetic analysis and genotypic grouping of GBV-C/HGV isolates in Japanese haemophiliacs were performed based on sequences in the 5’ untranslated region, and the characteristics were compared with those of reported isolates. GBV-C/HGV infection was present in 19 of 91 haemophiliacs (20.9%). Sequence analysis showed that 15 of the 19 isolates (78.9%) showed sequence similarity to a group in which mainly West African isolates have been reported. The other 4 isolates (21.1%) showed sequence similarity to Asian isolates. None of the GBV-C/HGV isolates showed sequences similar to those generally found in isolates from USA and Europe. The majority of GBV-C/HGV isolates found in Japanese haemophiliacs who are considered to have been infected by imported blood products were similar to those detected in West Africa.

Download Full-text