scholarly journals Genotypic characterisation of Avian paramyxovirus type-1 viruses isolated from aquatic birds in Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Wanyana ◽  
Kizito K. Mugimba ◽  
Omony J. Bosco ◽  
Halid Kirunda ◽  
Jessica L. Nakavuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Avian Paramyxovirus ◽  
Aquatic Birds ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Chicken Eggs

Avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1) viruses of the lentogenic pathotypes are often isolated from wild aquatic birds and may mutate to high pathogenicity when they cross into poultry and cause debilitating Newcastle disease. This study characterised AMPV-1 isolated from fresh faecal droppings from wild aquatic birds roosting sites in Uganda. Fresh faecal samples from wild aquatic birds at several waterbodies in Uganda were collected and inoculated into 9–10-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. After isolation, the viruses were confirmed as APMV-1 by APMV-1-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cleavage site of the fusion protein gene for 24 representative isolates was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed and compared with representative isolates of the different APMV-1 genotypes in the GenBank database. In total, 711 samples were collected from different regions in the country from which 72 isolates were recovered, giving a prevalence of 10.1%. Sequence analysis of 24 isolates revealed that the isolates were all lentogenic, with the typical 111GGRQGR’L117 avirulent motif. Twenty-two isolates had similar amino acid sequences at the cleavage site, which were different from the LaSota vaccine strain by a silent nucleotide substitution T357C. Two isolates, NDV/waterfowl/Uganda/MU150/2011 and NDV/waterfowl/Uganda/MU186/2011, were different from the rest of the isolates in a single amino acid, with aspartate and alanine at positions 124 and 129, respectively. The results of this study revealed that Ugandan aquatic birds indeed harbour APMV-1 that clustered with class II genotype II strains and had limited genetic diversity.

scholarly journals The 13C4 Monoclonal Antibody That Neutralizes Shiga Toxin Type 1 (Stx1) Recognizes Three Regions on the Stx1 B Subunit and Prevents Stx1 from Binding to Its Eukaryotic Receptor Globotriaosylceramide

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 6992-6998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Smith ◽  
Humberto M. Carvalho ◽  
Angela R. Melton-Celsa ◽  
Alison D. O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence Similarity ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
B Subunit ◽  
Receptor Recognition

ABSTRACT The 13C4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) recognizes the B subunit of Stx1 (StxB1) and neutralizes the cytotoxic and lethal activities of Stx1. However, this MAb does not bind to the B polypeptide of Stx2, despite the 73% amino acid sequence similarity between StxB1 and StxB2. When we compared the amino acid sequences of StxB1 and StxB2, we noted three regions of dissimilarity (amino acids 1 to 6, 25 to 32, and 54 to 61) located near each other on the crystal structure of StxB1. To identify the 13C4 epitope, we generated seven Stx1/Stx2 B chimeric polypeptides that contained one, two, or three of the dissimilar StxB1 regions. The 13C4 MAb reacted strongly with StxB1 and the triple-chimeric B subunit but not with the other chimeras. Mice immunized with the triple-chimeric B subunit survived a lethal challenge with Stx1 but not Stx2, substantiating the identified regions as the 13C4 MAb epitope and suggesting that the incorporation of this epitope into StxB2 altered sites necessary for anti-Stx2-neutralizing Ab production. Next, single amino acid substitutions were made in StxB1 to mimic Stx1d, a variant not recognized by the 13C4 MAb. The 13C4 MAb reacted strongly to StxB1 with the T1A or G25A mutations but not with the N55T change. Finally, we found that the 13C4 MAb blocked the binding of Stx1 to its receptor, globotriaosyl ceramide. Taken together, these results indicate that the 13C4 MAb prevents the interaction of Stx1 with its receptor by binding three nonlinear regions of the molecule that span receptor recognition sites on StxB1, one of which includes the essential residue 55N.

scholarly journals Coreceptor Tropism Can Be Influenced by Amino Acid Substitutions in the gp41 Transmembrane Subunit of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Protein

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 5584-5593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Jonathan Toma ◽  
Signe Fransen ◽  
Eric Stawiski ◽  
Jacqueline D. Reeves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Coreceptor Tropism ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Many studies have demonstrated that the third variable region (V3) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein (Env) is a major determinant of coreceptor tropism. Other regions in the surface gp120 subunit of Env can modulate coreceptor tropism in a manner that is not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of env determinants outside of V3 on coreceptor usage through the analysis of (i) patient-derived env clones that differ in coreceptor tropism, (ii) chimeric env sequences, and (iii) site-directed mutants. The introduction of distinct V3 sequences from CXCR4-using clones into an R5-tropic env backbone conferred the inefficient use of CXCR4 in some but not all cases. Conversely, in many cases, X4- and dual-tropic env backbones containing the V3 sequences of R5-tropic clones retained the ability to use CXCR4, suggesting that sequences outside of the V3 regions of these CXCR4-using clones were responsible for CXCR4 use. The determinants of CXCR4 use in a set of dual-tropic env sequences with V3 sequences identical to those of R5-tropic clones mapped to the gp41 transmembrane (TM) subunit. In one case, a single-amino-acid substitution in the fusion peptide of TM was able to confer CXCR4 use; however, TM substitutions associated with CXCR4 use varied among different env sequences. These results demonstrate that sequences in TM can modulate coreceptor specificity and that env sequences other than that of V3 may facilitate efficient CXCR4-mediated entry. We hypothesize that the latter plays an important role in the transition from CCR5 to CXCR4 coreceptor use.

A Contact Site between the Two Reaction Center Polypeptides of Photosystem II Is Involved in Photoinhibition

1991 ◽  
Vol 46 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Trebst
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Photosystem Ii ◽  
Reaction Center ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Contact Site ◽  
Quinone Binding ◽  
Herbicide Binding ◽  
Sensitive Site

Abstract A new contact site between the two reaction center polypeptides D 1 and D 2 of photosystem II close to arg 238 and arg 234 respectively is proposed. The amino acid sequences involved are between the 4 th transmembrane and a connecting parallel helix. The sequence includes a tryp­ sin sensitive site in both polypeptides, the likely cleavage site in the rapid turnover of the D 1 polypeptide and part of the herbicide binding site. The contact site is oriented towards both quinone binding sites Q A and Q B. A folding of the backbone of the amino acid sequences involved is proposed.

SERPINS: ANTITHROMBIN AND OTHER INHIBITORS OF COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYSIS. EVIDENCE FROM AMINO ACID SEQUENCES

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
R W Carrell ◽  
P D Christey ◽  
D R Boswell
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
General Function ◽  
Topological Features ◽  
Coagulation And Fibrinolysis

A number of the key inhibitors of coagulation and fibrinolysis have recently been shown to be members of the same superfamily of serine protease inhibitors, the serpins. The archetypes of the group are alpha-l-antitrypsin and antithrombin and it includes antiplasmin, C1-inhibitor, heparin cofactor II and the newly recognised inhibitors of plasminogen activators and activated Protein C. Alignment of their structures shows that they have the same skeletal three-dimensional conformation and, by inference, the same general function mechanisms.The serpins have a reactive centre, primarily dependent on a single amino acid, exteriorly placed on a stressed peptide loop. This functions by offering the cognate protease a high-affinity substrate that resists complete cleavage to form a tight 1:1 complex of inhibitor and protease that is subsequently removed from the circulation. The loop is vulnerable to cleavage with resulting loss of inhibitory activity. This irreversible switch is utilised: pathologically by venom and invasive bacterial proteases; and physiologically by the neutrophil leucocyte to modify local inflammatory responses. These mechanisms contribute to the changes seen in DIC and the shock syndromes.Modelling of antithrombin indicates the likely topological features involved in the binding of heparin, namely a sphere of positive charge centred on the A and D helices and involving Arg 47, Lys 125, Arg 129 and probably Arg 132 and Lys 133.Because the serpins are largely dependent for their specificityon a single amino acid it is now possible to precisely tailor inhibitory activity by site specific mutation. This has been used to produce recombinant antitrypsins that function as an improved inhibitor of neutrophil proteases (valine or leucine reactive centre), or as an analogue of antithrombin (arginine reactive centre). An elegant application of this approach is the engineered mutants of antiplasmin recently described by Holmes, Collen and colleagues (Leuven).

scholarly journals Three Drosophila beta-tubulin sequences: a developmentally regulated isoform (beta 3), the testis-specific isoform (beta 2), and an assembly-defective mutation of the testis-specific isoform (B2t8) reveal both an ancient divergence in metazoan isotypes and structural constraints for beta-tubulin function.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 2231-2242 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Rudolph ◽  
M Kimble ◽  
H D Hoyle ◽  
M A Subler ◽  
E C Raff
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Single Amino Acid Residue ◽  
Beta 2

The genomic DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence are presented for three Drosophila melanogaster beta-tubulins: a developmentally regulated isoform beta 3-tubulin, the wild-type testis-specific isoform beta 2-tubulin, and an ethyl methanesulfonate-induced assembly-defective mutation of the testis isoform, B2t8. The testis-specific beta 2-tubulin is highly homologous to the major vertebrate beta-tubulins, but beta 3-tubulin is considerably diverged. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the two Drosophila isoforms to those of other beta-tubulins indicates that these two proteins are representative of an ancient sequence divergence event which at least preceded the split between lines leading to vertebrates and invertebrates. The intron/exon structures of the genes for beta 2- and beta 3-tubulin are not the same. The structure of the gene for the variant beta 3-tubulin isoform, but not that of the testis-specific beta 2-tubulin gene, is similar to that of vertebrate beta-tubulins. The mutation B2t8 in the gene for the testis-specific beta 2-tubulin defines a single amino acid residue required for normal assembly function of beta-tubulin. The sequence of the B2t8 gene is identical to that of the wild-type gene except for a single nucleotide change resulting in the substitution of lysine for glutamic acid at residue 288. This position falls at the junction between two major structural domains of the beta-tubulin molecule. Although this hinge region is relatively variable in sequence among different beta-tubulins, the residue corresponding to glu 288 of Drosophila beta 2-tubulin is highly conserved as an acidic amino acid not only in all other beta-tubulins but in alpha-tubulins as well.

scholarly journals A Single Amino Acid Substitution in a Segment of the CA Protein within Gag That Has Similarity to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Blocks Infectivity of a Human Endogenous Retrovirus K Provirus in the Human Genome

2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 1105-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Heslin ◽  
Pablo Murcia ◽  
Frederick Arnaud ◽  
Koenraad Van Doorslaer ◽  
Massimo Palmarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Human Genome ◽  
Particle Production ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Human Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is the most intact retrovirus in the human genome. However, no single HERV-K provirus in the human genome today appears to be infectious. Since the Gag protein is the central component for the production of retrovirus particles, we investigated the abilities of Gag from two HERV-K proviruses to support production of virus-like particles and viral infectivity. HERV-K113 has full-length open reading frames for all viral proteins, while HERV-K101 has a full-length gag open reading frame and is expressed in human male germ cell tumors. The Gag of HERV-K101 allowed production of viral particles and infectivity, although at lower levels than observed with a consensus sequence Gag. Thus, including HERV-K109, at least two HERV-K proviruses in human genome today have functional Gag proteins. In contrast, HERV-K113 Gag supported only very low levels of particle production, and no infectivity was detectable due to a single amino acid substitution (I516M) near the extreme C terminus of the CA protein within Gag. The sequence of this portion of HERV-K CA showed similarities to that of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and other primate immunodeficiency viruses. The extreme C terminus of CA may be a general determinant of retrovirus particle production. In addition, precise mapping of the defects in HERV-K proviruses as was done here identifies the key polymorphisms that need to be analyzed to assess the possible existence of infectious HERV-K alleles within the human population.

scholarly journals Determinants of Syncytium Formation in Microglia by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1: Role of the V1/V2 Domains

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 693-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. C. Shieh ◽  
Julio Martín ◽  
Gordon Baltuch ◽  
Michael H. Malim ◽  
Francisco González-Scarano
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Syncytium Formation ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Single Amino Acid Change ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Microglia are the main reservoir for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the central nervous system (CNS), and multinucleated giant cells, the result of fusion of HIV-1-infected microglia and brain macrophages, are the neuropathologic hallmark of HIV dementia. One potential explanation for the formation of syncytia is viral adaptation for these CD4+ CNS cells. HIV-1BORI-15, a virus adapted to growth in microglia by sequential passage in vitro, mediates high levels of fusion and replicates more efficiently in microglia and monocyte-derived-macrophages than its unpassaged parent (J. M. Strizki, A. V. Albright, H. Sheng, M. O'Connor, L. Perrin, and F. Gonzalez-Scarano, J. Virol. 70:7654–7662, 1996). Since the interaction between the viral envelope glycoprotein and CD4 and the chemokine receptor mediates fusion and plays a key role in tropism, we have analyzed the HIV-1BORI-15 env as a fusogen and in recombinant and pseudotyped viruses. Its syncytium-forming phenotype is not the result of a switch in coreceptor use but rather of the HIV-1BORI-15envelope-mediated fusion of CD4+CCR5+ cells with greater efficiency than that of its parental strain, either by itself or in the context of a recombinant virus. Genetic analysis indicated that the syncytium-forming phenotype was due to four discrete amino acid differences in V1/V2, with a single-amino-acid change between the parent and the adapted virus (E153G) responsible for the majority of the effect. Additionally, HIV-1BORI-15 env-pseudotyped viruses were less sensitive to decreases in the levels of CD4 on transfected 293T cells, leading to the hypothesis that the differences in V1/V2 alter the interaction between this envelope and CD4 or CCR5, or both. In sum, the characterization of the envelope of HIV-1BORI-15, a highly fusogenic glycoprotein with genetic determinants in V1/V2, may lead to a better understanding of the relationship between HIV replication and syncytium formation in the CNS and of the importance of this region of gp120 in the interaction with CD4 and CCR5.

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