• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2014

We identified four basic amino acid residues as nuclear localization signals (NLS) in the C-terminal domain of the prototype foamy viral (PFV) integrase (IN) protein that were essential for viral replication. We constructed seven point mutants in the C-terminal domain by changing the lysine and arginine at residues 305, 308, 313, 315, 318, 324, and 329 to threonine or proline, respectively, to identify residues conferring NLS activity. Our results showed that mutation of these residues had no effect on expression assembly, release of viral particles, or in vitro recombinant IN enzymatic activity. However, mutations at residues 305 (R ${\rightarrow}$ T), 313(R ${\rightarrow}$ T), 315(R ${\rightarrow}$ P), and 329(R ${\rightarrow}$ T) lead to the production of defective viral particles with loss of infectivity, whereas non-defective mutations at residues 308(R ${\rightarrow}$ T), 318(K ${\rightarrow}$ T), and 324(K ${\rightarrow}$ T) did not show any adverse effects on subsequent production or release of viral particles. Sub-cellular fractionation and immunostaining for viral protein PFV-IN and PFV-Gag localization revealed predominant cytoplasmic localization of PFV-IN in defective mutants, whereas cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of PFV-IN was observed in wild type and non-defective mutants. However sub-cellular localization of PFV-Gag resulted in predominant nuclear localization and less presence in the cytoplasm of the wild type and non-defective mutants. But defective mutants showed only nuclear localization of Gag. Therefore, we postulate that four basic arginine residues at 305, 313, 315 and 329 confer the karyoplilic properties of PFV-IN and are essential for successful viral integration and replication.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1412-1419
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• 2023

Retroviral integration into ancient vertebrate genomes left traces that can shed light on the early history of viruses. In this study, we explored the early evolution of retroviruses by isolating nine Spuma endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and one Epsilon ERV from the genomes of Agnatha and Chondrichthyes. Phylogenetic analysis of protein sequences revealed a striking pattern of co-evolution between jawless fish ERV and their host, while shark ERV underwent ancient cross-class viral transmission with jawless fish, ray-finned fish, and amphibians. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that jawless fish ERV emerged in the Palaeozoic period, relatively later than ray-finned fish ERV. Moreover, codon analysis suggested that the jawless fish ERV employed an infection strategy that mimics the host codon. The genealogical diversity of ERVs in the jawless fish genome highlights the importance of studying different viral species. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of retroviruses and their interactions with their hosts.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2011

Avian reovirus (ARV) and fowl adenovirus (FAdV) were evaluated for pathogenicity in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens. ARV was isolated from the broilers with history of malabsorption syndrome (MAS). FAdV was isolated from the layer breeders with inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome. Total 6 inoculated groups including 1 un-inoculated group were organized and inoculated with the ARV and/or FAdV by oral route. The minimal pathological lesions and lower viral gene detection rates were present in the ARV inoculated groups compared to those of FAdV or ARV/FAdV inoculated groups. Common gross lesions in the ARV inoculated group were distended intestine with foamy contents and in the FAdV group there were foamy cecal contents and hydropericardium among the evaluation methods such as gross and histological lesion, viral gene detection, body weight and serum chemistry, histopathological lesion score was reliable especially in the liver lesions such as hepatic necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration. However, we did not success to evaluate the synergetic effect of mixed infection of ARV and FAdV in this study. Therefore, we need further study to reproduce malabsorption syndrome of ARV infection using different viral agent such as rotavirus and using different dose of virus.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.246-255
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• 2005

Retroviral integrases insert viral DNA into target DNA. In this process they recognize their own DNA specifically via functional domains. In order to analyze these functional domains, we constructed six chimeric integrases by swapping domains between HIV-1 and HFV integrases, and two point mutants of HFV integrase. Chimeric integrases with the central domain of HIV-1 integrase had strand transfer and disintegration activities, in agreement with the idea that the central domain determines viral DNA specificity and has catalytic activity. On the other hand, chimeric integrases with the central domain of HFV integrase did not have any enzymatic activity apart from FFH that had weak disintegration activity, suggesting that the central domain of HFV integrase was defective catalytically or structurally. However, these inactive chimeras were efficiently complemented by the point mutants (D164A and E200A) of HFV integrase, indicating that the central domain of HFV integrase possesses potential enzymatic activity but is not able to recognize viral or target DNA without the help of its homologous N-terminal and C-terminal domains.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2010

Field strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (OR) were tested on their virulence in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs and 3-week-old broilers. When infected with three different OR isolates (OR-161, OR-240 and OR-295) through yolk sac infection route, all strains appeared to be highly pathogenic with responsible mortality 66% and 100% within 12 days post infection (DPI). To test the virulence of OR in the commercial broilers, 3 week-old broilers were grouped depends on the inoculation route of OR isolate (OR-295) through five different infection routes; group 1 (IT: intratracheal), group 2 (IM: intramuscular), group 3 (IV: intravenous), group 4 (aerosol) and group 5 [Mixed: NDV (LaSota)+OR aerosol]. Within 5 to 7 days after inoculation, only broilers given NDV+OR were slightly depressed and coughing, and had mild facial redness. Grossly, foamy and yellow-white yogurt like exudate in the air sacs, predominantly in the abdominal air sacs was present. In histology, infiltration of the air sac epithelium and lamina propria by macrophage and polymorphonuclear granulocytes was seen with cell debris and inflammatory cells, correlated with the presence of OR antigen, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Field strains of OR were able to induce high mortality in the embryonated chicken eggs, whereas broilers were less susceptible to OR infection. Interestingly, in the absence of NDV infection, the four groups of OR single infection only different route showed minimal and temporary microscopic air sac lesions. Thus, Newcastle disease virus (LaSota strain) showed triggering effects on the OR infection in chickens.