Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 161 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Molecular phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses of Muar strain of Japanese encephalitis virus reveal it is the missing fifth genotype
    Mohammed MA, Galbraith SE, Radford AD, Dove W, Takasaki T, Kurane I, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2011 Jul;11(5):855-62.
    PMID: 21352956 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.01.020
    Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the most important cause of epidemic encephalitis worldwide but its origin is unknown. Epidemics of encephalitis suggestive of Japanese encephalitis (JE) were described in Japan from the 1870s onwards. Four genotypes of JEV have been characterised and representatives of each genotype have been fully sequenced. Based on limited information, a single isolate from Malaysia is thought to represent a putative fifth genotype. We have determined the complete nucleotide and amino acid sequence of Muar strain and compared it with other fully sequenced JEV genomes. Muar was the least similar, with nucleotide divergence ranging from 20.2 to 21.2% and amino acid divergence ranging from 8.5 to 9.9%. Phylogenetic analysis of Muar strain revealed that it does represent a distinct fifth genotype of JEV. We elucidated Muar signature amino acids in the envelope (E) protein, including E327 Glu on the exposed lateral surface of the putative receptor binding domain which distinguishes Muar strain from the other four genotypes. Evolutionary analysis of full-length JEV genomes revealed that the mean evolutionary rate is 4.35 × 10(-4) (3.4906 × 10(-4) to 5.303 × 10(-4)) nucleotides substitutions per site per year and suggests JEV originated from its ancestral virus in the mid 1500s in the Indonesia-Malaysia region and evolved there into different genotypes, which then spread across Asia. No strong evidence for positive selection was found between JEV strains of the five genotypes and the E gene has generally been subjected to strong purifying selection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  2. Fulltext Simple and cost-effective restriction endonuclease analysis of human adenoviruses
    Adhikary AK, Hanaoka N, Fujimoto T
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:363790.
    PMID: 24734232 DOI: 10.1155/2014/363790
    Restriction endonuclease analyses (REAs) constitute the only inexpensive molecular approach capable of typing and characterizing human adenovirus (HAdV) strains based on the entire genome. However, the application of this method is limited by the need for time-consuming and labor-intensive procedures. We herein developed a simple and cost-effective REA for assessing HAdV. The method consists of (1) simple and cost-effective DNA extraction, (2) fast restriction endonuclease (RE) digestion, and (3) speedy mini agarose gel electrophoresis. In this study, DNA was isolated according to the kit-based method and 21.0 to 28.0  μg of viral DNA was extracted from prototypes (HAdV-1, HAdV-3, HAdV-4, and HAdV-37) in each flask. The amount of DNA ranged from 11.4 to 57.0  μg among the HAdV-3 (n=73) isolates. The obtained viral DNA was found to be applicable to more than 10 types of REAs. Fast-cut restriction endonucleases (REs) were able to digest the DNA within 15 minutes, and restriction fragments were easily separated via horizontal mini agarose gel electrophoresis. The whole procedure for 10 samples can be completed within approximately six hours (the conventional method requires at least two days). These results show that our REA is potentially applicable in many laboratories in which HAdVs are isolated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  3. Fulltext Human Heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40/DnaJB1) promotes influenza A virus replication by assisting nuclear import of viral ribonucleoproteins
    Batra J, Tripathi S, Kumar A, Katz JM, Cox NJ, Lal RB, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016;6:19063.
    PMID: 26750153 DOI: 10.1038/srep19063
    A unique feature of influenza A virus (IAV) life cycle is replication of the viral genome in the host cell nucleus. The nuclear import of IAV genome is an indispensable step in establishing virus infection. IAV nucleoprotein (NP) is known to mediate the nuclear import of viral genome via its nuclear localization signals. Here, we demonstrate that cellular heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40/DnaJB1) facilitates the nuclear import of incoming IAV viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) and is important for efficient IAV replication. Hsp40 was found to interact with NP component of IAV RNPs during early stages of infection. This interaction is mediated by the J domain of Hsp40 and N-terminal region of NP. Drug or RNAi mediated inhibition of Hsp40 resulted in reduced nuclear import of IAV RNPs, diminished viral polymerase function and attenuates overall viral replication. Hsp40 was also found to be required for efficient association between NP and importin alpha, which is crucial for IAV RNP nuclear translocation. These studies demonstrate an important role for cellular chaperone Hsp40/DnaJB1 in influenza A virus life cycle by assisting nuclear trafficking of viral ribonucleoproteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  4. Immunogenicity and performance of an enterovirus 71 virus-like-particle vaccine in nonhuman primates
    Lim PY, Hickey AC, Jamiluddin MF, Hamid S, Kramer J, Santos R, et al.
    Vaccine, 2015 Nov 4;33(44):6017-24.
    PMID: 26271825 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.05.108
    A vaccine against human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is urgently needed to combat outbreaks of EV-A71 and in particular, the serious neurological complications that manifest during these outbreaks. In this study, an EV-A71 virus-like-particle (VLP) based on a B5 subgenogroup (EV-A71-B5 VLP) was generated using an insect cell/baculovirus platform. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the purified VLP had a highly native procapsid structure and initial studies in vivo demonstrated that the VLPs were immunogenic in mice. The impact of VLP immunization on infection was examined in non-human primates using a VLP prime-boost strategy prior to EV-A71 challenge. Rhesus macaques were immunized on day 0 and day 21 with VLPs (100 μg/dose) containing adjuvant or with adjuvant alone (controls), and were challenged with EV-A71 on day 42. Complete blood counts, serum chemistry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and histopathology results were mostly normal in vaccinated and control animals after virus challenge demonstrating that the fatal EV-A71-B3 clinical isolate used in this study was not highly virulent in rhesus macaques. Viral genome and/or infectious virus were detected in blood, spleen or brain of two of three control animals, but not in any specimens from the vaccinated animals, indicating that VLP immunization prevented systemic spread of EV-A71 in rhesus macaques. High levels of IgM and IgG were detected in VLP-vaccinated animals and these responses were highly specific for EV-A71 particles and capsid proteins. Serum from vaccinated animals also exhibited similar neutralizing activity against different subgenogroups of EV-A71 demonstrating that the VLPs induced cross-neutralizing antibodies. In conclusion, our EV-A71-B5 VLP is safe, highly immunogenic, and prevents systemic EV-A71-B3 infection in nonhuman primates making it a viable attractive vaccine candidate for EV-A71.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  5. The molecular epidemiology of HIV in Asia
    Weniger BG, Takebe Y, Ou CY, Yamazaki S
    AIDS, 1994;8 Suppl 2:S13-28.
    PMID: 7857556
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  6. Fulltext Genomes of viral isolates derived from different mosquitos species
    Sadeghi M, Popov V, Guzman H, Phan TG, Vasilakis N, Tesh R, et al.
    Virus Res, 2017 10 15;242:49-57.
    PMID: 28855097 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.08.012
    Eleven viral isolates derived mostly in albopictus C6/36 cells from mosquito pools collected in Southeast Asia and the Americas between 1966 and 2014 contained particles with electron microscopy morphology typical of reoviruses. Metagenomics analysis yielded the near complete genomes of three novel reoviruses, Big Cypress orbivirus, Ninarumi virus, and High Island virus and a new tetravirus, Sarawak virus. Strains of previously characterized Sathuvarachi, Yunnan, Banna and Parry's Lagoon viruses (Reoviridae), Bontang virus (Mesoniviridae), and Culex theileri flavivirus (Flaviviridae) were also characterized. The availability of these mosquito virus genomes will facilitate their detection by metagenomics or PCR to better determine their geographic range, extent of host tropism, and possible association with arthropod or vertebrate disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  7. An infectious full-length cDNA clone of duck Tembusu virus, a newly emerging flavivirus causing duck egg drop syndrome in China
    Li S, Zhang L, Wang Y, Wang S, Sun H, Su W, et al.
    Virus Res, 2013 Jan;171(1):238-41.
    PMID: 23116594 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2012.10.019
    Duck Tembusu virus (TMUV) is a recently identified pathogenic flavivirus that causes severe egg drop and encephalitis in Chinese ducks and geese. It has been found to be most closely related to the mosquito-origin Tembusu virus and chicken Sitiawan virus reported in Malaysia. However, the ecological characteristics and the pathogenesis of duck TMUV are largely unknown. We report the construction of full-length cDNA clone of duck TMUV strain JXSP. The virus genome was reverse transcribed, amplified as seven overlapping fragments and successively ligated into the low copy number vector pWSK29 under the control of a T7 promoter. Transfection of BHK-21 cells with the transcribed RNA from the full-length cDNA clone resulted in production of highly infectious progeny virus. In vitro growth characteristics in BHK-21 cells and virulence in ducklings and BALB/c mice were similar for the rescued and parental viruses. This stable infectious cDNA clone will be a valuable tool for studying the genetic determinants of duck TMUV.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  8. Fulltext Real-time PCR tests to specifically detect IHHNV lineages and an IHHNV EVE integrated in the genome of Penaeus monodon
    Cowley JA, Rao M, Coman GJ
    Dis Aquat Organ, 2018 Jul 04;129(2):145-158.
    PMID: 29972375 DOI: 10.3354/dao03243
    Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) can cause mass mortalities in western blue shrimp Penaeus stylirostris, runt deformity syndrome in Pacific white shrimp P. vannamei and scalloped abdominal shell deformities in black tiger shrimp P. monodon. In P. monodon, however, PCR-based diagnosis of IHHNV can be complicated by the presence of a chromosome-integrated, non-replicating endogenous viral element (EVE). To facilitate high-throughput screening of P. monodon for IHHNV infection and/or EVE sequences, here we report real-time PCR tests designed to specifically detect IHHNV Lineage I, II and III but not EVE Type A sequences and vice versa. Using 108 dsDNA copies of plasmid (p)DNA controls containing either IHHNV or EVE-Type A sequences, both tests displayed absolute specificity. The IHHNV-q309 PCR reliably detected down to ≤10 copies of pDNA, at which levels a 309F/R PCR amplicon was just detectable, and the presence of an IHHNV-EVE sequence did not significantly impact its sensitivity. The IHHNV-qEVE PCR was similarly sensitive. Testing of batches of P. monodon clinical samples from Vietnam/Malaysia and Australia identified good diagnostic concordance between the IHHNV-q309 and 309F/R PCR tests. As expected for a sequence integrated into host chromosomal DNA, IHHNV-qEVE PCR Ct values were highly uniform among samples from shrimp in which an EVE was present. The highly specific and sensitive IHHNV-q309 and IHHNV-qEVE real-time PCR tests described here should prove useful for selecting broodstock free of IHHNV infection and in maintaining breeding populations of P. monodon specific pathogen free for IHHNV, and if desired, also free of IHHNV-EVE sequences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  9. Disruption of predicted dengue virus type 3 major outbreak cycle coincided with switching of the dominant circulating virus genotype
    Tan KK, Zulkifle NI, Abd-Jamil J, Sulaiman S, Yaacob CN, Azizan NS, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2017 Oct;54:271-275.
    PMID: 28698156 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.07.008
    Dengue is hyperendemic in most of Southeast Asia. In this region, all four dengue virus serotypes are persistently present. Major dengue outbreak cycle occurs in a cyclical pattern involving the different dengue virus serotypes. In Malaysia, since the 1980s, the major outbreak cycles have involved dengue virus type 3 (DENV3), dengue virus type 1 (DENV1) and dengue virus type 2 (DENV2), occurring in that order (DENV3/DENV1/DENV2). Only limited information on the DENV3 cycles, however, have been described. In the current study, we examined the major outbreak cycle involving DENV3 using data from 1985 to 2016. We examined the genetic diversity of DENV3 isolates obtained during the period when DENV3 was the dominant serotype and during the inter-dominant transmission period. Results obtained suggest that the typical DENV3/DENV1/DENV2 cyclical outbreak cycle in Malaysia has recently been disrupted. The last recorded major outbreak cycle involving DENV3 occurred in 2002, and the expected major outbreak cycle involving DENV3 in 2006-2012 did not materialize. DENV genome analyses revealed that DENV3 genotype II (DENV3/II) was the predominant DENV3 genotype (67%-100%) recovered between 1987 and 2002. DENV3 genotype I (DENV3/I) emerged in 2002 followed by the introduction of DENV3 genotype III (DENV3/III) in 2008. These newly emerged DENV3 genotypes replaced DENV3/II, but there was no major upsurge of DENV3 cases that accompanied the emergence of these viruses. DENV3 remained in the background of DENV1 and DENV2 until now. Virus genome sequence analysis suggested that intrinsic differences within the different dengue virus genotypes could have influenced the transmission efficiency of DENV3. Further studies and continuous monitoring of the virus are needed for better understanding of the DENV transmission dynamics in hyperendemic regions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  10. Fulltext Review article : hepatitis A virus – a general overview
    Yong HT, Son R
    International Food Research Journal, 2009;16(4):455-467.
    MyJurnal
    Hepatitis A virus infection occurs globally and is causing a public health concern, primarily in developing countries due to its persistent circulation in the environment. The improved sanitary condition and increase in awareness of personal hygiene have led to the marked reduction of HAV prevalence in industrialized countries during childhood and to a shift of the infection towards adulthood. HAV is an environmentally stable, positive single stranded RNA virus that is primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, person to person contact or ingestion of contaminated food and drink. One of the main causes leading to HAV infection is epidemiologically linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish particularly oysters and clams. Due to their filter-feeding style, these shellfishes readily concentrate viruses from the surrounding water containing municipal sewage, and as a consequence pose a health threat to consumers. Therefore, development of detection techniques possessing the requisite sensitivity and specificity for the practical routine monitoring purposes is of great importance necessary for the protection of shellfish-consuming public. Nucleic acid based method such as reverse transcription PCR has emerged as the popular method of choice in view of its rapidity, accuracy and
    sensitivity in contrary of the time-consuming conventional cell culture and hybridization techniques. However, detection of hepatitis A virus is firstly hampered by the non-cytophatic effect of wild type HAV strain, secondly, the low concentration of viral genome present in the environmental sample which requires effective isolation and concentration of virions and lastly the labor-extensive purification and thorough removal of the abundance of the PCR inhibitors which will unfavorably reduce the efficiency of PCR detection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  11. Isolation and Quantification of Mimivirus-Like and Marseillevirus-Like Viruses from Soil Samples in An Aboriginal (Orang asli) Village in Peninsular Malaysia
    Tan YF, Lim CY, Chong CW, Lim PKC, Yap IKS, Leong PP, et al.
    Intervirology, 2018;61(2):92-95.
    PMID: 30121676 DOI: 10.1159/000491602
    BACKGROUND: The giant amoebal viruses of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus are large DNA viruses and have been documented in water, soil, and sewage samples. The trend of discovering these giant amoebal viruses has been increasing throughout Asia with Japan, India, and Saudi Arabia being the latest countries to document the presence of these viruses. To date, there have been no reports of large amoebal viruses being isolated in South East Asia.

    OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to discover these viruses from soil samples in an aboriginal village (Serendah village) in Peninsular -Malaysia.

    METHOD AND RESULTS: We successfully detected and isolated both Mimivirus-like and Marseillevirus-like viruses using Acanthamoeba castellanii. Phylogeny analysis identified them as Mimivirus and Marseillevirus, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: The ubiquitous nature of both Mimivirus and Marseillevirus is further confirmed in our study as they are detected in higher quantity in soil that is near to water vicinities in an aboriginal village in Peninsular Malaysia. However, this study is limited by our inability to investigate the impact of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus on the aboriginal villagers. More studies on the potential impact of these viruses on human health, especially on the aborigines, are warranted.

    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  12. Fulltext Isolation and Identification of Inter-Species Enterovirus Recombinant Genomes
    Bentley K, Tee HK, Pearson A, Lowry K, Waugh S, Jones S, et al.
    Viruses, 2021 11 29;13(12).
    PMID: 34960659 DOI: 10.3390/v13122390
    Positive-strand RNA virus evolution is partly attributed to the process of recombination. Although common between closely genetically related viruses, such as within species of the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family, inter-species recombination is rarely observed in nature. Recent studies have shown recombination is a ubiquitous process, resulting in a wide range of recombinant genomes and progeny viruses. While not all recombinant genomes yield infectious progeny virus, their existence and continued evolution during replication have critical implications for the evolution of the virus population. In this study, we utilised an in vitro recombination assay to demonstrate inter-species recombination events between viruses from four enterovirus species, A-D. We show that inter-species recombinant genomes are generated in vitro with polymerase template-switching events occurring within the virus polyprotein coding region. However, these genomes did not yield infectious progeny virus. Analysis and attempted recovery of a constructed recombinant cDNA revealed a restriction in positive-strand but not negative-strand RNA synthesis, indicating a significant block in replication. This study demonstrates the propensity for inter-species recombination at the genome level but suggests that significant sequence plasticity would be required in order to overcome blocks in the virus life cycle and allow for the production of infectious viruses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  13. Fulltext Haplotype distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants in low and high vaccination rate countries during ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021
    Bui NN, Lin YT, Huang SH, Lin CW
    Infect Genet Evol, 2022 01;97:105164.
    PMID: 34848355 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105164
    The widespread severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continuously impacts our economic and public health. The potential of emerging variants to increase transmissibility and evade vaccine-induced immunity lets us put more effort to research on viral mutations and explore the pathogenic haplotypes. In this study, we characterized the haplotype and sub-haplotype diversity of SARS-CoV-2 global variants in January-March and the areas with low and high COVID19 vaccination rates in May 2021 by analyzing viral proteome of complete genome sequences published. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the proteomes of SARS-CoV-2 variants with Neighbor-Joining and Maximum Parsimony methods indicated that haplotype 2 variant with nsp12 P323L and Spike D614G was dominant (98.81%), including new sub-haplotypes 2A_1 to 2A_3, 2B_1 to 2B_3, and 2C_1 to 2C_2 emerged post-one-year COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, the profiling of sub-haplotypes indicated that sub-haplotype 2A_1 with the mutations at N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, and D118H in Spike was over 58% in May 2021 in the high partly vaccinated rate group (US, Canada, and Germany). Meanwhile, the new haplotype 2C_3 bearing the mutations at EFR156-158del, T19R, A222V, L452R, T478K, and D614G in Spike occupied over 54.8% in May 2021 in the low partly vaccinated rate group (India, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam). Sub-haplotypes 2A_1 and 2C_3 had a meaningful alternation of ACE2-specific recognition site, neutralization epitopes, and furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. The results discovered the haplotype diversity and new sub-haplotypes of SARS-CoV-2 variants post one-year pandemic in January-March 2021, showing the profiles of sub-haplotypes in the groups with low and high partly vaccinated rates in May 2021. The study reports the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 sub-haplotypes during ongoing pandemic and vaccination in early 2021, which might help inform the response to vaccination strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  14. In situ hybridization: detecting viral nucleic acid in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples
    Mabruk MJ
    Expert Rev Mol Diagn, 2004 Sep;4(5):653-61.
    PMID: 15347259
    In situ hybridization is a method for detecting specific nucleic acid sequences within individual cells. This technique permits visualization of viral nucleic acid or gene expression in individual cells within their histologic context. In situ hybridization is based on the complementary binding of a labeled nucleic acid probe to complementary sequences in cells or tissue sections, followed by visualization of target sequences within the cells. It has been used widely for the detection of viral nucleic acid sequences within individual cells. This review will define the technical approaches of in situ hybridization and its current application to detect viral nucleic acids within formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples, with special reference to the Epstein-Barr virus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  15. Fulltext Therapeutic potentials of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology in human viral infections
    Najafi S, Tan SC, Aghamiri S, Raee P, Ebrahimi Z, Jahromi ZK, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2022 Apr;148:112743.
    PMID: 35228065 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112743
    Viral infections are a common cause of morbidity worldwide. The emergence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to more attention to viral infections and finding novel therapeutics. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has been recently proposed as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of viral diseases. Here, we review the research progress in the use of CRISPR-Cas technology for treating viral infections, as well as the strategies for improving the delivery of this gene-editing tool in vivo. Key challenges that hinder the widespread clinical application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology are also discussed, and several possible directions for future research are proposed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  16. Fulltext Exploiting the Legacy of the Arbovirus Hunters
    Vasilakis N, Tesh RB, Popov VL, Widen SG, Wood TG, Forrester NL, et al.
    Viruses, 2019 05 23;11(5).
    PMID: 31126128 DOI: 10.3390/v11050471
    In recent years, it has become evident that a generational gap has developed in the community of arbovirus research. This apparent gap is due to the dis-investment of training for the next generation of arbovirologists, which threatens to derail the rich history of virus discovery, field epidemiology, and understanding of the richness of diversity that surrounds us. On the other hand, new technologies have resulted in an explosion of virus discovery that is constantly redefining the virosphere and the evolutionary relationships between viruses. This paradox presents new challenges that may have immediate and disastrous consequences for public health when yet to be discovered arboviruses emerge. In this review we endeavor to bridge this gap by providing a historical context for the work being conducted today and provide continuity between the generations. To this end, we will provide a narrative of the thrill of scientific discovery and excitement and the challenges lying ahead.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  17. Fulltext Development of a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the quantitative detection of Nipah virus replicative viral RNA
    Jensen KS, Adams R, Bennett RS, Bernbaum J, Jahrling PB, Holbrook MR
    PLoS One, 2018;13(6):e0199534.
    PMID: 29920552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199534
    Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus that can result in severe pulmonary disease and fatal encephalitis in humans and is responsible for outbreaks in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, India and possibly the Philippines. NiV has a negative-sense RNA genome that contains six genes and serves as a template for production of viral mRNA transcripts. NiV mRNA transcripts are subsequently translated into viral proteins. Traditionally, NiV quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays have relied on using primer sets that amplify a target (N that encodes the nucleocapsid) within the coding region of the viral gene that also amplifies viral mRNA. Here we describe a novel one-step qRT-PCR assay targeting the intergenic region separating the viral F and G proteins, thereby eliminating amplification of the viral mRNA. This assay is more accurate than the traditional qRT-PCR in quantifying concentrations of viral genomic RNA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  18. Fulltext Probable Pangolin Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with the COVID-19 Outbreak
    Zhang T, Wu Q, Zhang Z
    Curr Biol, 2020 Apr 06;30(7):1346-1351.e2.
    PMID: 32197085 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.022
    An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) began in the city of Wuhan in China and has widely spread worldwide. Currently, it is vital to explore potential intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2 to control COVID-19 spread. Therefore, we reinvestigated published data from pangolin lung samples from which SARS-CoV-like CoVs were detected by Liu et al. [1]. We found genomic and evolutionary evidence of the occurrence of a SARS-CoV-2-like CoV (named Pangolin-CoV) in dead Malayan pangolins. Pangolin-CoV is 91.02% and 90.55% identical to SARS-CoV-2 and BatCoV RaTG13, respectively, at the whole-genome level. Aside from RaTG13, Pangolin-CoV is the most closely related CoV to SARS-CoV-2. The S1 protein of Pangolin-CoV is much more closely related to SARS-CoV-2 than to RaTG13. Five key amino acid residues involved in the interaction with human ACE2 are completely consistent between Pangolin-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, but four amino acid mutations are present in RaTG13. Both Pangolin-CoV and RaTG13 lost the putative furin recognition sequence motif at S1/S2 cleavage site that can be observed in the SARS-CoV-2. Conclusively, this study suggests that pangolin species are a natural reservoir of SARS-CoV-2-like CoVs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  19. Fulltext Construction of an infectious cDNA clone of Enterovirus 71: insights into the factors ensuring experimental success
    Lazouskaya NV, Palombo EA, Poh CL, Barton PA
    J Virol Methods, 2014 Mar;197:67-76.
    PMID: 24361875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.12.005
    Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) is a causative agent of mild Hand Foot and Mouth Disease but is capable of causing severe complications in the CNS in young children. Reverse genetics technology is currently widely used to study the pathogenesis of the virus. The aim of this work was to determine and evaluate the factors which can contribute to infectivity of EV 71 RNA transcripts in vitro. Two strategies, overlapping RT-PCR and long distance RT-PCR, were employed to obtain the full-length genome cDNA clones of the virus. The length of the poly(A) tail and the presence of non-viral 3'-terminal sequences were studied in regard to their effects on infectivity of the in vitro RNA transcripts of EV 71 in cell culture. The data revealed that only cDNA clones obtained after long distance RT-PCR were infectious. No differences were observed in virus titres after transfection with in vitro RNA harbouring a poly(A) tail of 18 or 30 adenines in length, irrespective of the non-viral sequences at the 3'-terminus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
  20. Recombinant human enterovirus 71 in hand, foot and mouth disease patients
    Chan YF, AbuBaker S
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2004 Aug;10(8):1468-70.
    PMID: 15496251
    Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness of infants and young children <10 years of age. It is characterized by fever, ulcers in the oral cavity, and rashes with blisters that appear on the palm and sole. The most common causal agents of HFMD are coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and human enterovirus 71 (HEV71), but other enteroviruses, including CV-A5 and CV-A10, can also cause it. When caused by CV-A16 infection, it is usually a mild disease, and patients normally recover without requiring any special medical attention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genome, Viral
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links