Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 36 in total

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  1. Newcastle disease virus nucleocapsid protein: self-assembly and length-determination domains
    Kho CL, Tan WS, Tey BT, Yusoff K
    J Gen Virol, 2003 Aug;84(Pt 8):2163-2168.
    PMID: 12867648 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.19107-0
    The nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Newcastle disease virus expressed in E. coli assembled as ring- and herringbone-like particles. In order to identify the contiguous NP sequence essential for assembly of these particles, 11 N- or C-terminally deleted NP mutants were constructed and their ability to self-assemble was tested. The results indicate that a large part of the NP N-terminal end, encompassing amino acids 1 to 375, is required for proper folding to form a herringbone-like structure. In contrast, the C-terminal end covering amino acids 376 to 489 was dispensable for the formation of herringbone-like particles. A region located between amino acids 375 to 439 may play a role in regulating the length of the herringbone-like particles. Mutants with amino acid deletions further from the C-terminal end (84, 98, 109 and 114 amino acids) tended to form longer particles compared to mutants with shorter deletions (25 and 49 amino acids).
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry*
  2. Identification of phosphoprotein:phosphoprotein and phosphoprotein:nucleocapsid protein interaction domains of the Newcastle disease virus
    Jahanshiri F, Eshaghi M, Yusoff K
    Arch Virol, 2005 Mar;150(3):611-8.
    PMID: 15592890
    The yeast two-hybrid system has been used to identify domains of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) phosphoprotein (P) involved in self-association and interaction with the nucleocapsid protein (NP). Deletion analysis was used to map the domain(s) of the P protein involved in P:P and P:NP interactions. The C-terminal 45 amino acids (residues 247-291) were shown to play a major role in both of the interactions. Comparison of these findings with other reports suggests that paramyxoviruses are different with respect to interaction domain(s) between these two essential viral proteins involved in genome replication.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism*
  3. Crystallization and X-ray analysis of the T = 4 particle of hepatitis B capsid protein with an N-terminal extension
    Tan WS, McNae IW, Ho KL, Walkinshaw MD
    Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun, 2007 Aug 01;63(Pt 8):642-7.
    PMID: 17671358
    Hepatitis B core (HBc) particles have been extensively exploited as carriers for foreign immunological epitopes in the development of multicomponent vaccines and diagnostic reagents. Crystals of the T = 4 HBc particle were grown in PEG 20,000, ammonium sulfate and various types of alcohols. A temperature jump from 277 or 283 to 290 K was found to enhance crystal growth. A crystal grown using MPD as a cryoprotectant diffracted X-rays to 7.7 A resolution and data were collected to 99.6% completeness at 8.9 A. The crystal belongs to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 352.3, b = 465.5, c = 645.0 A. The electron-density map reveals a protrusion that is consistent with the N-terminus extending out from the surface of the capsid. The structure presented here supports the idea that N-terminal insertions can be exploited in the development of diagnostic reagents, multicomponent vaccines and delivery vehicles into mammalian cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry*
  4. Purification of histidine-tagged nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus using immobilized metal affinity chromatography
    Chong FC, Tan WS, Biak DR, Ling TC, Tey BT
    J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2009 May 15;877(14-15):1561-7.
    PMID: 19395325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2009.03.048
    Nucleocapsid (N) protein of Nipah virus (NiV) is a potential serological marker used in the diagnosis of NiV infections. In this study, a rapid and efficient purification system, HisTrap 6 Fast Flow packed bed column was applied to purify recombinant histidine-tagged N protein of NiV from clarified feedstock. The optimizations of binding and elution conditions of N protein of NiV onto and from Nickel Sepharose 6 Fast Flow were investigated. The optimal binding was achieved at pH 7.5, superficial velocity of 1.25 cm/min. The bound N protein was successfully recovered by a stepwise elution with different concentration of imidazole (50, 150, 300 and 500 mM). The N protein of NiV was captured and eluted from an inlet N protein concentration of 0.4 mg/ml in a scale-up immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) packed bed column of Nickel Sepharose 6 Fast Flow with the optimized condition obtained from the method scouting. The purification of histidine-tagged N protein using IMAC packed bed column has resulted a 68.3% yield and a purification factor of 7.94.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism
  5. Mutagenesis of the nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus involved in capsid assembly
    Ong ST, Yusoff K, Kho CL, Abdullah JO, Tan WS
    J Gen Virol, 2009 Feb;90(Pt 2):392-397.
    PMID: 19141448 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.005710-0
    The nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus produced in Escherichia coli assembled into herringbone-like particles. The amino- and carboxy-termini of the N protein were shortened progressively to define the minimum contiguous sequence involved in capsid assembly. The first 29 aa residues of the N protein are dispensable for capsid formation. The 128 carboxy-terminal residues do not play a role in the assembly of the herringbone-like particles. A region with amino acid residues 30-32 plays a crucial role in the formation of the capsid particle. Deletion of any of the four conserved hydrophobic regions in the N protein impaired capsid formation. Replacement of the central conserved regions with the respective sequences from the Newcastle disease virus restored capsid formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/ultrastructure
  6. Regions on nucleocapsid protein of Newcastle disease virus that interact with its phosphoprotein
    Kho CL, Tan WS, Tey BT, Yusoff K
    Arch Virol, 2004 May;149(5):997-1005.
    PMID: 15098113 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-003-0273-8
    The nucleocapsid (NP) and phospho-(P) proteins of paramyxoviruses are involved in transcription and replication of the viral genome. An in vitro protein binding assay was used to investigate the regions on NP protein that interact with the P protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Truncated NP mutants were first immobilised on a solid phase and then interacted with radio-labelled [(35)S]-P protein synthesised in rabbit reticulocyte. The interaction affinity was quantitated by measuring the radioactivity that was retained on the solid phase. Using this approach, a highly interactive region was identified to be resided at the first 25 amino acids of NP N-terminus. The interaction between these two proteins remained strong even with the removal of 114 amino acids from the C-terminal end of NP. However, it is possible that the 49 amino acids at the C-terminal end might have another contact region for P protein, which is not as critical as the N-terminal end. The interaction regions mapped in this study are significantly different from the other two paramyxoviruses: Sendai and measles viruses in which the C-termini of their NP proteins play an important role in binding to the P.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism*
  7. Purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein of Newcastle disease virus from unclarified feedstock using expanded bed adsorption chromatography
    Tan YP, Ling TC, Tan WS, Yusoff K, Tey BT
    Protein Expr Purif, 2006 Mar;46(1):114-21.
    PMID: 16139513
    In the present work, a single-step purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) directly from unclarified feedstock using an expanded bed adsorption chromatography (EBAC) was developed. Streamline 25 column (ID = 25 mm) was used as a contactor and Streamline chelating adsorbent immobilized with Ni2+ ion was used as affinity adsorbent. The dynamic binding capacity of Ni2+ -loaded Streamline chelating adsorbent for the NP protein in unclarified feedstock was found to be 2.94 mg ml(-1) adsorbent at a superficial velocity of 200 cm h(-1). The direct purification of NP protein from unclarified feedstock using expanded bed adsorption has resulted in a 31% adsorption and 9.6% recovery of NP protein. The purity of the NP protein recovered was about 70% and the volume of processing fluid was reduced by a factor of 10. The results of the present study show that the IMA-EBAC developed could be used to combine the clarification, concentration and initial purification steps into a single-step operation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification*
  8. Cloning and expression of the nucleocapsid protein gene of nipah virus in different strains of Escherichia coli
    Ong ST, Tan WS, Hassan SS, Mohd Lila MA, Yusoff K
    J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. Biophys., 2002 Oct;6(5):347-50.
    PMID: 12385971
    The coding region of the nucleocapsid (N) gene was amplified from the viral RNA and inserted into the bacterial expression vector, pTrcHis2, for intracellular expression in three Escherichia coli strains: TOP 10, BL 21 and SG 935. The N protein was expressed as a fusion protein containing the myc epitope and His-tag at its C-terminal end. The amount of the fusion protein expressed in strain SG 935 was significantly higher than the other two strains, and was detected by the anti-myc antibody, anti-His and swine anti-NiV serum. Hence, the N(fus) protein produced in E. coli could serve as an alternative antigen for the detection of anti-NiV in swine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification
  9. Characterization of Sri Lanka rabies virus isolates using nucleotide sequence analysis of nucleoprotein gene
    Arai YT, Takahashi H, Kameoka Y, Shiino T, Wimalaratne O, Lodmell DL
    Acta Virol., 2001;45(5-6):327-33.
    PMID: 12083333
    Thirty-four suspected rabid brain samples from 2 humans, 24 dogs, 4 cats, 2 mongooses, I jackal and I water buffalo were collected in 1995-1996 in Sri Lanka. Total RNA was extracted directly from brain suspensions and examined using a one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) gene. Twenty-eight samples were found positive for the virus N gene by RT-PCR and also for the virus antigens by fluorescent antibody (FA) test. Rabies virus isolates obtained from different animal species in different regions of Sri Lanka were genetically homogenous. Sequences of 203 nucleotides (nt)-long RT-PCR products obtained from 16 of 27 samples were found identical. Sequences of 1350 nt of N genes of 14 RT-PCR products were determined. The Sri Lanka isolates under study formed a specific cluster that included also an earlier isolate from India but did not include the known isolates from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Israel, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Nepal, Philippines, Japan and from several other countries. These results suggest that one type of rabies virus is circulating among human, dog, cat, mongoose, jackal and water buffalo living near Colombo City and in other five remote regions in Sri Lanka.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid/genetics*; Nucleocapsid Proteins
  10. Nucleoprotein gene analysis of fixed and street rabies virus variants using RT-PCR
    Arai YT, Yamada K, Kameoka Y, Horimoto T, Yamamoto K, Yabe S, et al.
    Arch Virol, 1997;142(9):1787-96.
    PMID: 9672637
    A simple and rapid single-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to investigate the nucleoprotein (N) gene of 11 rabies viruses. A conserved set of RT-PCR primers was designed to amplify the most variable region in the N gene. N gene regions were amplified from 6 fixed laboratory viruses, 4 street viruses from dogs in Thailand, and a horse in Zambia. Sequences of the amplified products, together with the database of 91 additional sequences, were analyzed by using PILEUP program of the GCG package. The rabies viruses grouped into at least 9 distinct clusters by < 90% nucleotide similarity of the N gene region: I (4 isolates, USA), II (2 isolates, South America), III (3 isolates, Africa), IV (52 strains, Europe, Middle East, Africa and South America), V (16 isolates, North America and Arctic), VI (17 isolates, Africa), VII (1 isolate, Africa), VIII (6 isolates, Thailand and Malaysia) and IX (1 isolate, Sri Lanka). A unique group of rabies viruses from Thailand and clusters of isolates corresponding to their geographic origin also were determined. The simple and rapid single-step RT-PCR proved to be useful for identifying rabies viruses, and for grouping the viruses into clades by sequence analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid/genetics*; Nucleocapsid Proteins
  11. Solubility, immunogenicity and physical properties of the nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus produced in Escherichia coli
    Tan WS, Ong ST, Eshaghi M, Foo SS, Yusoff K
    J Med Virol, 2004 May;73(1):105-12.
    PMID: 15042656
    The nucleocapsid (N) protein of Nipah virus (NiV) can be produced in three Escherichia coli strains [TOP10, BL21(DE3) and SG935] under the control of trc promoter. However, most of the product existed in the form of insoluble inclusion bodies. There was no improvement in the solubility of the product when this protein was placed under the control of T7 promoter. However, the solubility of the N protein was significantly improved by lowering the growth temperature of E. coli BL21(DE3) cell cultures. Solubility analysis of N- and C-terminally deleted mutants revealed that the full-length N protein has the highest solubility. The soluble N protein could be purified efficiently by sucrose gradient centrifugation and nickel affinity chromatography. Electron microscopic analysis of the purified product revealed that the N protein assembled into herringbone-like particles of different lengths. The C-terminal end of the N protein contains the major antigenic region when probed with antisera from humans and pigs infected naturally.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry*
  12. Direct recovery of recombinant nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus from unclarified Escherichia coli homogenate using hydrophobic interaction expanded bed adsorption chromatography
    Chong FC, Tan WS, Biak DR, Ling TC, Tey BT
    J Chromatogr A, 2010 Feb 19;1217(8):1293-7.
    PMID: 20044094 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2009.12.039
    A direct recovery of recombinant nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus (NCp-NiV) from crude Escherichia coli (E. coli) homogenate was developed successfully using a hydrophobic interaction expanded bed adsorption chromatography (HI-EBAC). The nucleic acids co-released with the recombinant protein have increased the viscosity of the E. coli homogenate, thus affected the axial mixing in the EBAC column. Hence, DNase was added to reduce the viscosity of feedstock prior to its loading into the EBAC column packed with the hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) adsorbent. The addition of glycerol to the washing buffer has reduced the volume of washing buffer applied, and thus reduced the loss of the NCp-NiV during the washing stage. The influences of flow velocity, degree of bed expansion and viscosity of mobile phase on the adsorption efficiency of HI-EBAC were studied. The dynamic binding capacity at 10% breakthrough of 3.2mg/g adsorbent was achieved at a linear flow velocity of 178 cm/h, bed expansion of two and feedstock viscosity of 3.4 mPas. The adsorbed NCp-NiV was eluted with the buffer containing a step gradient of salt concentration. The purification of hydrophobic NCp-NiV using the HI-EBAC column has recovered 80% of NCp-NiV from unclarified E. coli homogenate with a purification factor of 12.5.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification*
  13. Mapping of domains responsible for nucleocapsid protein-phosphoprotein interaction of Henipaviruses
    Chan YP, Koh CL, Lam SK, Wang LF
    J Gen Virol, 2004 Jun;85(Pt 6):1675-1684.
    PMID: 15166452 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.19752-0
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are members of a new genus, Henipavirus, in the family paramyxoviridae. Each virus encodes a phosphoprotein (P) that is significantly larger than its counterparts in other known paramyxoviruses. The interaction of this unusually large P with its nucleocapsid protein (N) was investigated in this study by using recombinant full-length and truncated proteins expressed in bacteria and a modified protein-blotting protein-overlay assay. Results from our group demonstrated that the N and P of both viruses were able to form not only homologous, but also heterologous, N-P complexes, i.e. HeV N was able to interact with NiV P and vice versa. Deletion analysis of the N and P revealed that there were at least two independent N-binding sites on P and they resided at the N and C termini, respectively. Similarly, more than one P-binding site was present on N and one of these was mapped to a 29 amino acid (aa) C-terminal region, which on its own was sufficient to interact with the extreme C-terminal 165 aa region of P.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry*
  14. The critical region for viral RNA encapsidation in leader promoter of Nipah virus
    Pong LY, Rabu A, Ibrahim N
    Mol Genet Genomics, 2020 Nov;295(6):1501-1516.
    PMID: 32767127 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-020-01716-3
    Encapsidation by nucleocapsid (N) protein is crucial for viral RNA to serve as a functional template for virus replication. However, the potential region that is vital for RNA encapsidation of Nipah virus (NiV) is still unknown. Thus, this study was aimed to identify these regions using a NiV minireplicon system. A series of broad range internal deletion mutations was generated in the 5' non-translated region (NTR) of the N gene mRNA region of NiV leader promoter via site-directed overlapping PCR-mediated mutagenesis. The mutation effects on synthesis and encapsidation of antigenome RNA, transcription, and RNA binding affinity of N protein were evaluated. The deletions of nucleotides 73-108, 79-108, and 85-108 from NiV leader promoter inhibited the encapsidation of antigenome RNA, while the deletion of nucleotides 103-108 suppressed the synthesis and encapsidation of antigenome RNA, implying that these regions are required for genome replication. Surprisingly, none of the mutations had detrimental effect on viral transcription. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, the binding of NiV N protein to genome or antigenome RNA transcript lacking of nucleotides 73-108 was found to be suppressed. Additionally, in silico analysis on secondary structure of genome RNA further supported the plausible cause of inefficient encapsidation of antigenome RNA by the loss of encapsidation signal in genome template. In conclusion, this study suggests that the nucleotides 73-90 within 5' NTR of the N gene mRNA region in NiV leader promoter contain cis-acting RNA element that is important for efficient encapsidation of antigenome RNA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics
  15. Localization of the antigenic sites of newcastle disease virus nucleocapsid using a panel of monoclonal antibodies
    Ahmad-Raus R, Ali AM, Tan WS, Salleh HM, Eshaghi M, Yusoff K
    Res Vet Sci, 2009 Feb;86(1):174-82.
    PMID: 18599098 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2008.05.013
    A panel of six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the nucleocapsid (NP) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was produced by immunization of Balb/c mice with purified recombinant NP protein. Western Blot analysis showed that all the mAbs recognized linearized NP epitopes. Three different NP antigenic sites were identified using deleted truncated NP mutants purified from Escherichia coli. One of the antigenic sites was located at the C-terminal end (residues 441 to 489) of the NP protein. Two other antigenic sites were located within the N-terminal end (residues 26-121 and 122-375). This study demonstrates that the N- and C-terminal ends of the NP proteins are responsible in eliciting immune response, thus it is most likely that these ends are exposed on the NP.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid/immunology*
  16. Fulltext AuNP Coupled Rapid Flow-Through Dot-Blot Immuno-Assay for Enhanced Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Specific Nucleocapsid and Receptor Binding Domain IgG
    Sil BK, Jamiruddin MR, Haq MA, Khondoker MU, Jahan N, Khandker SS, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2021;16:4739-4753.
    PMID: 34267520 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S313140
    BACKGROUND: Serological tests detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are widely used in seroprevalence studies and evaluating the efficacy of the vaccination program. Some of the widely used serological testing techniques are enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), and lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). However, these tests are plagued with low sensitivity or specificity, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. We developed a serological test implementing flow-through dot-blot assay (FT-DBA) for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG detection, which provides enhanced sensitivity and specificity while being quick to perform and easy to use.

    METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 antigens were immobilized on nitrocellulose membrane to capture human IgG, which was then detected with anti-human IgG conjugated gold nanoparticle (hIgG-AuNP). A total of 181 samples were analyzed in-house. Within which 35 were further evaluated in US FDA-approved CLIA Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 assay. The positive panel consisted of RT-qPCR positive samples from patients with both <14 days and >14 days from the onset of clinical symptoms. The negative panel contained samples collected from the pre-pandemic era dengue patients and healthy donors during the pandemic. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of FT-DBA were evaluated against RT-qPCR positive sera. However, the overall efficacies were assessed with sera that seroconverted against either nucleocapsid (NCP) or receptor-binding domain (RBD).

    RESULTS: In-house ELISA selected a total of 81 true seropositive and 100 seronegative samples. The sensitivity of samples with <14 days using FT-DBA was 94.7%, increasing to 100% for samples >14 days. The overall detection sensitivity and specificity were 98.8% and 98%, respectively, whereas the overall PPV and NPV were 99.6% and 99%. Moreover, comparative analysis between in-house ELISA assays and FT-DBA revealed clinical agreement of Cohen's Kappa value of 0.944. The FT-DBA showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% when compared with commercial CLIA kits.

    CONCLUSION: The assay can confirm past SARS-CoV-2 infection with high accuracy within 2 minutes compared to commercial CLIA or in-house ELISA. It can help track SARS-CoV-2 disease progression, population screening, and vaccination response. The ease of use of the assay without requiring any instruments while being semi-quantitative provides the avenue of its implementation in remote areas around the globe, where conventional serodiagnosis is not feasible.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid/analysis*
  17. Identification of epitopes in the nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus using a linear phage-displayed random peptide library
    Eshaghi M, Tan WS, Yusoff K
    J Med Virol, 2005 Jan;75(1):147-52.
    PMID: 15543570
    A random peptide library of heptamers displayed on the surface of M13 bacteriophage was used to identify specific epitopes of antibodies in pooled sera of swine naturally infected by Nipah virus. The selected heptapeptides were aligned with protein sequences of Nipah virus and several putative epitopes were identified within the nucleocapsid protein. A total of 41 of 60 (68%) selected phage clones had inserts resembling a region with the sequence SNRTQGE, located at the C-terminal end (amino acids 503-509) of the nucleocapsid protein. The binding of antibodies in the swine and human antisera to the phage clone was inhibited by a synthetic peptide corresponding to this region. Epitopes identified by phage display are consistent with the predicted antigenic sites for the Nipah virus nucleocapsid protein. The selected phage clone used as a coating antigen discriminated swine and human Nipah virus sera-positive from sera-negative samples exhibiting characteristics, which might be attractive for diagnostic tests.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology; Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry
  18. Fulltext A point-of-care test for measles diagnosis: detection of measles-specific IgM antibodies and viral nucleic acid
    Warrener L, Slibinskas R, Chua KB, Nigatu W, Brown KE, Sasnauskas K, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2011 Sep 01;89(9):675-82.
    PMID: 21897488 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.11.088427
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a newly developed point-of-care test (POCT) for the detection of measles-specific IgM antibodies in serum and oral fluid specimens and to assess if measles virus nucleic acid could be recovered from used POCT strips.

    METHODS: The POCT was used to test 170 serum specimens collected through measles surveillance or vaccination programmes in Ethiopia, Malaysia and the Russian Federation: 69 were positive for measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, 74 were positive for rubella IgM antibodies and 7 were positive for both. Also tested were 282 oral fluid specimens from the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) surveillance programme of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Microimmune measles IgM capture enzyme immunoassay was the gold standard for comparison. A panel of 24 oral fluids was used to investigate if measles virus haemagglutinin (H) and nucleocapsid (N) genes could be amplified by polymerase chain reaction directly from used POCT strips.

    FINDINGS: With serum POCT showed a sensitivity and specificity of 90.8% (69/76) and 93.6% (88/94), respectively; with oral fluids, sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% (63/70) and 96.2% (200/208), respectively. Both H and N genes were reliably detected in POCT strips and the N genes could be sequenced for genotyping. Measles virus genes could be recovered from POCT strips after storage for 5 weeks at 20-25 °C.

    CONCLUSION: The POCT has the sensitivity and specificity required of a field-based test for measles diagnosis. However, its role in global measles control programmes requires further evaluation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid/blood; Nucleocapsid/genetics
  19. Tioman virus, a novel paramyxovirus isolated from fruit bats in Malaysia
    Chua KB, Wang LF, Lam SK, Crameri G, Yu M, Wise T, et al.
    Virology, 2001 May 10;283(2):215-29.
    PMID: 11336547
    A search for the natural host of Nipah virus has led to the isolation of a previously unknown member of the family Paramyxoviridae. Tioman virus (TiV) was isolated from the urine of fruit bats (Pteropus hypomelanus) found on the island of the same name off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia. An electron microscopic study of TiV-infected cells revealed spherical and pleomorphic-enveloped viral particles (100--500 nm in size) with a single fringe of embedded peplomers. Virus morphogenesis occurred at the plasma membrane of infected cells and morphological features of negative-stained ribonucleoprotein complexes were compatible with that of viruses in the family Paramyxoviridae. Serological studies revealed no cross-reactivity with antibodies against a number of known Paramyxoviridae members except for the newly described Menangle virus (MenV), isolated in Australia in 1997. Failure of PCR amplification using MenV-specific primers suggested that this new virus is related to but different from MenV. For molecular characterization of the virus, a cDNA subtraction strategy was employed to isolate virus-specific cDNA from virus-infected cells. Complete gene sequences for the nucleocapsid protein (N) and phosphoprotein (P/V) have been determined and recombinant N and V proteins produced in baculovirus. The recombinant N and V proteins reacted with porcine anti-MenV sera in Western blot, confirming the serological cross-reactivity observed during initial virus characterization. The lack of a C protein-coding region in the P/V gene, the creation of P mRNA by insertion of 2-G residues, and the results of phylogenetic analyses all indicated that TiV is a novel member of the genus Rubulavirus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology; Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry
  20. Fulltext Indirect ELISA based on Hendra and Nipah virus proteins for the detection of henipavirus specific antibodies in pigs
    Fischer K, Diederich S, Smith G, Reiche S, Pinho Dos Reis V, Stroh E, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(4):e0194385.
    PMID: 29708971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194385
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) belong to the genus Henipavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. Henipavirus infections were first reported in the 1990's causing severe and often fatal outbreaks in domestic animals and humans in Southeast Asia and Australia. NiV infections were observed in humans in Bangladesh, India and in the first outbreak in Malaysia, where pigs were also infected. HeV infections occurred in horses in the North-Eastern regions of Australia, with singular transmission events to humans. Bats of the genus Pteropus have been identified as the reservoir hosts for henipaviruses. Molecular and serological indications for the presence of henipa-like viruses in African fruit bats, pigs and humans have been published recently. In our study, truncated forms of HeV and NiV attachment (G) proteins as well as the full-length NiV nucleocapsid (N) protein were expressed using different expression systems. Based on these recombinant proteins, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were developed for the detection of HeV or NiV specific antibodies in porcine serum samples. We used the NiV N ELISA for initial serum screening considering the general reactivity against henipaviruses. The G protein based ELISAs enabled the differentiation between HeV and NiV infections, since as expected, the sera displayed higher reactivity with the respective homologous antigens. In the future, these assays will present valuable tools for serosurveillance of swine and possibly other livestock or wildlife species in affected areas. Such studies will help assessing the potential risk for human and animal health worldwide by elucidating the distribution of henipaviruses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism
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