Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Molecular virology'

The innate type I interferon antiviral response is the first line of defence invoked to limit the spread of viral infections. Hence a number of viruses including Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) have evolved defence strategies against this antiviral response. KSHV is the aetiologic agent of KS and almost one quarter of the KSHV genes specify either demonstrated or potential immunomodulatory activity including the four viral interferon regulatory factors (vIRFs). vIRFs 1, 2 and 3 have previously been shown to inhibit type I IFN signalling, whereas the inhibitory role of vIRF4 is yet to be reported. A previous stable isotope labelling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) study coupled to LC-MS/MS identified USP7 and ribosomal proteins as binding partners of both vIRF2 and vIRF4. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of these binding partners in type I IFN signalling and to determine the regulatory mechanisms behind the effects of these partner proteins on the functions of the vIRF2 and vIRF4 proteins. Polysome profiling and microarray studies were carried out on vIRF4 expressing cells and suggested a novel regulatory role for vIRF4 in translation. USP7 was also characterised as a positive regulator of IFN signalling and the mechanism behind this effect was explored.

O Vírus da influenza, apesar de todas as epidemias e pandemias referirem-se a infecções em seres humanos, não está restrita a espécie humana e é capaz de causar debilidade ou mortalidade em várias outras espécies, incluindo cavalos, suínos, mamíferos marinhos e aves, entre outros. Estudos ecológicos das viroses de influenza conduziram a hipótese que todas as que acometem mamíferos derivam de reservatórios destes vírus em aves. Mesmo com programas de monitoramento contínuo de aves silvestres em alguns países do mundo que possuem casos originados pelos vírus aviário H5N1, pouco foi feito na Antártica e por isso, o presente trabalho foi realizado nas estações de verão antártico de 2006, 2007 e 2008 em duas localidades no território Antártico, a Península Keller, localizada na Ilha Rei George e na ilha Elefante 61°08S, 55°07W, a primeira onde está situada a Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz-EACF e a segunda onde está localizada uma base de apoio a estudos avançados. Para este estudo foi realizada a coleta de 283 amostras de quatro diferentes espécies de pinguins: Pygoscelis adeliae; P. papua; P. antarctica; Aptenodytes patagonicus. Para o diagnóstico das amostras colhidas, foi aplicada a detecção direta dos produtos amplificados pelo método de RT-PCR em gel de agarose confirmados pelo método de Real-Time PCR (Applied Biosystems) e pelo RT-PCR-GeneScan no laboratório de Virologia Clínica e Molecular, do Departamento de Microbiologia, da Universidade de São Paulo. Os resultados obtidos em nosso estudo foram 8 amostras positivas em pinguins para o vírus Influenza A. As amostras positivas por RT-PCR foram encaminhadas para o laboratório de Influenza do Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children\'s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA, para isolamento em ovos embrionados, não havendo crescimento de vírus da influenza A. Quatro destas amostras positivas puderam ser sequenciadas e comparadas com sequências de Influenza A depositadas no Genbank apresentando uma identidade de 96,8 % a 100 % entre elas e o controle tendo este último uma identidade de 100% com as do banco de dados, confirmando a presença do vírus nestas aves.
Epidemics and pandemics of influenza usually refer to infections in human beings. The influenza virus is not, however, restricted to humans and can cause infirmity and death in other species including horses, swine, marine mammals, birds, and others. Ecological studies of viral infections have led to the hypothesis that the influenza viruses that attack mammals have their origin in the accumulation of these viruses in birds (avian flu). In some countries with influenza cases caused by the avian H5N1 virus, there was monitoring of wild birds but little had been done in Antarctica. The present work was therefore carried out during the Antarctic summer seasons of 2006, 2007, and 2008 in two Antarctic locations: The Commander Ferraz Antarctic Station, on the Keller Peninsula of King George Island, and at the Base of Advanced Studies located on Elephant Island (61°08S, 55°07W). Two hundred eighty-three (283) samples from four different penguin species Pygoscelis adeliae, Pygoscelis papua, Pygoscelis antarctica; and Aptenodytes patagonicus were collected for this study. Diagnoses of the samples were performed not only by application of direct detection and amplification according to the RT-PCR method in agar-gel, but also by Real-Time PCR (Applied Biosystems), and by RT-PCR gene scan at the Laboratory of Clinical and Molecular Virology of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Sao Paulo. Eight of the penguin samples tested positive for the Influenza-A virus. The positive samples, as determined by RT-PCR, were sent to the Influenza Laboratory of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, to be isolated in egg embryos where no further growth of the Influenza-A virus took place. Four of these positive samples could be sequenced and compared with those of Influenza-A on deposit at the Gene Bank and ranged from 96.85 to 100% when compared with the control samples (100% positive), thus confirming the presence of the virus in the tested birds.

Bibliography: pages 139-150.
The diversity of Subgroup I geminiviruses causing streak disease in maize, sugarcane, and indigenous wild grasses was investigated. The virus. isolates studied originated from maize (several southern African isolates), two sugarcane cultivars (from Natal province, South Africa, and from Mauritius), wheat, and three grasses (Panicum, Setaria, and Eleusine spp. from South Africa). The following methods were used: analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) between viral genomes in individual infected plants; DNA cross-hybridization between virus isolates; restriction endonuclease mapping of whole virus genomes; and nucleic acid sequencing. The complete genome of the Natal sugarcane streak virus isolate was sequenced. Partial sequences were obtained for other isolates, either by sequencing the ends of cloned viral genomes, or by sequencing a 250 base pair fragment of a highly conserved open reading frame that had been amplified using the polymerase chain reaction technique. The viruses being studied were compared both among themselves and with other Subgroup I geminiviruses of known DNA sequence, on the basis of sequence (nucleotide and amino acid) and restriction map data. Distance matrix methods were used to infer phylogenetic relationships between Subgroup I geminiviruses from restriction map and sequence data. Phylogenies deduced from sequence data were considered to be more accurate than those deduced from map data. Regardless of the method of analysis used, however, the relationships between the Subgroup I geminiviruses studied here remained constant. Thus, three strains of MSV (maize, Setaria, and Eleusine strains) were distinguished. Streak viruses distinct from MSV were also identified: panicum streak virus (PanSV), and two distantly related strains (Natal and Mauritius) of sugarcane streak virus (SSV). Restriction mapping of different geographical isolates of the maize strain of MSV demonstrated that variation existed within a single strain of virus. RFLP analysis indicated that minor variation existed between virus genomes within single diseased plants. Methods used to. type Subgroup I geminiviruses were evaluated, and discrepancies in the serological typing of geminiviruses from Subgroups I and III were pointed out. A unified scheme was proposed for distinguishing between distinct Subgroup I geminiviruses and strains of geminiviruses. The origins of maize and sugarcane streak viruses were speculated upon.

Metapneumovírus Aviário (aMPV), família Pneumoviridae, gênero Metapneumovírus, é o agente etiológico responsável pela rinotraqueíte dos perus e também está associada à síndrome da cabeça Inchada em galinhas, duas importantes doenças respiratórias que acometem aves comerciais e levam a grandes perdas econômicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar a presença de aMPV em amostras de aves silvestres e realizar a caracterização molecular dos isolados encontrados, com o intuito maior de contribuir para o entendimento da epidemiologia desse vírus. Para isso foram coletados no total, 448 suabes orofaringeanos (OP) e cloacais (C) oriundos de 234 aves silvestres em quatro locais do estado de São Paulo. Três tipos de amostras foram processadas e testadas: 1) 266 suabes agrupados de um ou até cinco animais que estavam no mesmo recinto e respeitando o mesmo tipo de suabe (OP ou C); 2)188 suabes foram agrupados na forma de pools de até dois animais, contendo os suabes OP e C de cada animal, formando então 48 pools; 3) amostras de tecido traqueal e pulmonar de três Egretta thula também foram coletados e testados. A purificação de RNA viral foi realizada utilizando o QIAmp RNA Mini Kit Kit (Qiagen). Para o teste de RT-PCR foi utilizado o kit OneStep RT-PCR (Qiagen) com primers baseados no gene N, previamente descritos, com fragmento esperado de 115 bp. As amostras foram também testadas por RT-PCR em tempo real (RRT-PCR) com primers específicos previamente descritos, para os subtipos A e B, com base no gene G com fragmentos de 116 e 135 bp, respectivamente. Os fragmentos das amostras positivas foram purificados e sequenciados pelo sequenciamento tipo Sanger para caracterização por análises filogenéticas. Das 126 amostras testadas pelo teste de RT-PCR baseado no gene N, quatorze foram positivas: oito amostras de Anseriformes (Aix sponsa, Aix galericulata, Dendrocygna viduata), três de Columbiformes (Columba livia), um de Falconiformes (Falco sparverius), um de Psittaciformes (Psittacara leucophthalma) e um de Pelecaniformes (Egretta thula). Das quatorze amostras positivas, treze eram provenientes de suabes, e a décima quarta era oriunda de tecido traqueal de Egretta thula. Pelo teste de RRT-PCR baseado no gene G nenhuma das 184 amostras testadas foi positiva. As análises filogenéticas realizadas com fragmentos de 44 e 54 bp do gene N de duas amostras positivas, que se agruparam com isolados pertencentes ao aMPV de subtipo A. Estes vírus apresentaram alta identidade com as estirpes derivadas de vacina e com estirpes vacinais, o que mostra uma possível ocorrência de escapes vacinais de aves de produção para as aves silvestres.
Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), family Pneumoviridae, genus Metapneumovirus, it is the etiologic agent responsible for turkey rhinotracheitis and is also associated with swollen head syndrome in chickens, two important respiratory diseases in poultry which leads to large economic losses. The aim of this study was detect the presence of aMPV in wild birds samples, to perform the phylogenetic analysis of the isolates found with the major objective of contributing to the understanding of the epidemiology of this virus in poultry farms. In total, 448 oropharyngeal (OP) and cloacal (C) swabs from 234 wild birds collected in four different locations within the state of São Paulo. The samples were processed and tested in three different ways: 1) 266 swabs were in the form of pools of one up to five animals that were in the same enclosure and respecting the same type of swab (OP or C); 2) 188 remaining swabs were grouped into pools of up to two animals, containing the oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs of each animal; 3) tracheal and pulmonary tissue samples were also collected and tested. Purification was performed using the QIAmp RNA Mini Kit Kit (Qiagen). Viral detection was performed by conventional RT-PCR technique using the OneStep RT-PCR kit (Qiagen) with primers based on the N gene, previously described with expected fragment of 115 bp. The samples were also tested by a real time RT-PCR (RRT-PCR) with specific primers previously described, for subtypes A and B, based on the G gene with fragments of 116 and 135 bp, respectively. Of the 126 samples tested by the RT-PCR N gene based, fourteen were positive: eight samples of Anseriformes (Aix sponsa, Aix galericulata, Dendrocygna viduata), three Columbiformes (Columba livia), one Falconiformes (Falco sparverius), one Psittaciformes (Psittacara leucophtalma) and one Pelecaniformes (Egretta thula). Of the swab samples, five were derived from oropharyngeal swabs and four from cloacal swabs, the other four samples were detected in the samples processed in pools of up to two animals, which contained the oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs of each bird. The positive Egretta thula sample was from a tracheal tissue sample. Based on the RRT-PCR G gene based, none of the 184 samples tested were detected. Phylogenetic analyzes were performed on two positive samples that proved to belong to aMPV subtype A, showing high similarity with the strains derived from the vaccine and with vaccine strains.

Rotaviruses are the single most important etiological agent of severe diarrhoea in infants and young children in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organisation has identified the development of a rotavirus vaccine as a priority area for routine childhood immunisation to control rotavirus infections. However, the candidate vaccine strains have not been very successful. The main aim of this project was to map rotavirus virulence to its gene segments. Such studies can help in developing better vaccines for the control of rotavirus induced diarrhoea. A three step approach was undertaken (i) development of an animal model, (ii) construction and characterisation of reassortants between rotavirus strains of different virulence, (iii) mapping virulence to rotavirus gene segments. The mouse model developed revealed that the outcome of rotavirus infection was influenced by viral dose and viral strain as well as by host age and host strain. Homologous murine rotavirus strain was found to be most virulent. Among the heterologous strains studied, the OSU strain was found to be most virulent and UKtc strain the least virulent. The CD- 1 strain of mouse was found to be the most susceptible to virus infection and C57/BL the least susceptible. A very simple and rapid nucleic acid extraction method has been developed that requires only one centrifugation step and circumvents the use of any hazardous organic chemicals, which can be applied to very large numbers of samples saving time and labour. Rotavirus reassortants were constructed in a variety of ways and their genotype determined from relative mobility of their gene segments on polyacrylamide gels and restriction enzyme digestion of PCR amplified products. Twenty two reassortants (2%) were identified out of more than 1100 progeny clones examined and these reassortants belonged to 15 different genotypes. Possible reasons for obtaining this low number of reassortants are discussed. No reassortant could be identified between a murine rotavirus and other heterologous rotavirus strains. Preliminary sequence of VP7 gene of murine rotavirus strains, EDIM and EBR, was found to be different to the published rotavirus sequences including the recently published five murine rotavirus strains. The virulence mapping studies conducted in mice with some of the 22 reassortants obtained in the present study showed that gene 4 of the OSU and UKtc strains was involved in virulence. Segment 5 of OSU strain and segments 5, and 8 of UKtc strain may also be involved in virulence.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arbovirus and the cause of “bluetongue”, a major infectious disease of ruminants. Whilst the BTV structure and replication strategies are well elucidated, less is known on the genetic variability of BTV and the molecular determinants affecting virus-host interactions. In order to investigate the determinants of BTV virulence, in this study, we compared the phenotype and genotype of a highly virulent strain of BTV-8 isolated in the Netherlands a passaged minimally in tissue culture (BTV8L), with a strain passaged extensively in tissue culture (BTV8H). BTV8L was shown to be highly pathogenic in sheep and in a mouse model of bluetongue, while BTV8H was attenuated in both hosts. Full genome sequencing revealed differences in 16 amino acid residues between these two strains. Using reverse genetics, we rescued both viruses, in order two further dissect their biological features. Rescued viruses retained the phenotype of the parental viruses in vivo and in vitro. Reassortants between BTV8L and BTV8H showed that mutations in several segments contributed to attenuation of the high passage virus. The major determinants of BTV8 virulence in IFNAR-/- mice were shown to be located in segments 1, 2, 6 and 10. In vitro studies of selected reassortants showed that through extensive passage in tissue culture BTV8H acquired increased affinity for glycosaminoglycans. This property was conferred by mutations in segment 2 and resulted in increased yields of the virus in vitro and attenuation in vivo. Additionally, BTV8H was unable to replicate in IFN competent primary sheep endothelial cells. Our data showed that multiple segments were involved in decreased efficiency of BTV8H replication in cells in an IFN-induced antiviral state. Moreover, we examined changes in viral population diversity that occured after BTV-8 isolation in insect cells (Culicoides, KC) and after passage in mammalian cells and linked decreased diversity with BTV virulence in vivo. We found, that in general, the number of genetic variants was higher in BTV-8 before cell passaging, or after one passage in KC cells, compared to the number observed after even a single passage in BHK-21 cells. The highest total number of variants was found in virus passaged in KC cells, which suggests that insect vector might serve as an amplifier of quasispecies diversity of BTV. Together, these findings suggest that the virulence of BTV is a multifactorial phenomenon involving many aspects of virus-host interactions and it is not only affected by changes in the viral proteins selected at the consensus level, but also by the genetic variability of the population as a whole.

Orthobunyaviruses are the largest genus within the Bunyaviridae family, with over 170 named viruses classified into 18 serogroups (Elliott and Blakqori, 2001; Plyusnin et al., 2012). Orthobunyaviruses are transmitted by arthropods and have a tripartite negative sense RNA genome, which encodes 4 structural proteins and 2 non-structural proteins. The non-structural protein NSs is the primary virulence factor of orthobunyaviruses and potent antagonist of the type I interferon (IFN) response. However, sequencing studies have identified pathogenic viruses that lack the NSs protein (Mohamed et al., 2009; Gauci et al., 2010). The work presented in this thesis describes the molecular and biological characterisation of divergent orthobunyaviruses. Data on plaque morphology, growth kinetics, protein profiles, sensitivity to IFN and activation of the type I IFN system are presented for viruses in the Anopheles A, Anopheles B, Capim, Gamboa, Guama, Minatitlan, Nyando, Tete and Turlock serogroups. These are complemented with complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Low activation of IFN by Tete serogroup viruses, which naturally lack an NSs protein, was also further investigated by the development of a reverse genetics system for Batama virus (BMAV). Recombinant viruses with mutations in the virus nucleocapsid protein amino terminus showed higher activation of type I IFN in vitro and data suggests that low levels of IFN are due to lower activation rather than active antagonism. The anti-orthobunyavirus activity of IFN-stimulated genes IFI44, IFITMs and human and ovine BST2 were also studied, revealing that activity varies not only within the orthobunyavirus genus and virus serogroups but also within virus species. Furthermore, there was evidence of active antagonism of the type I IFN response and ISGs by non-NSs viruses. In summary, the results show that pathogenicity in man and antagonism of the type I IFN response in vitro cannot be predicted by the presence, or absence, of an NSs ORF. They also highlight problems in orthobunyavirus classification with discordance between classical antigen based data and phylogenetic analysis.

Nucleic Acid Technology (NAT), introduced in the late 90s, is a molecular amplification method that can be used for the diagnosis and management of patients with infectious diseases. NAT test results are obtained quicker and are quantified, providing great.er information than the positive/negative results available from traditional techniques. However, NATs arc technically demanding, susceptible to contamination and hence results from associated diagnostic tests may be inaccurate. External Quality Assessment (EQA) services are programmes developed to assess and advance the quality performance of laboratories that use NAT kits to diagnose, manage and control human diseases. Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) , an organisation that provides EQA, uses proficiency panels designed with samples containing no , weak, medium and strong microbial loads. The panels are distributed to participating laboratories who analyse them knowing the pathogen but blind to the microbial load.

This work was undertaken to molecularly clone the Nirand strain of the polycythaemia inducing Friend spleen focus forming virus (F-SFFVp) together with its replication competent helper virus. Friend murine leukaemia virus (F-MuLV). To this aim viral extrachromosomal DNA molecules (of both linear and circular nature corresponding to both of these viruses) which could be induced in Friend cell lines were molecularly characterised with respect to their quantitative increase during differentiation and subcellular location. One cell line, F4-6 in which considerable amounts of these extrachromosomal DNAs could be detected was utilised for the large scale production and purification of both SFFVp and F-MuLV extrachromosomal DNA molecules. Restriction enzyme analysis of such molecules in combination with Southern blotting enabled the construction of primary restriction enzyme maps which allowed the selection of a molecular cloning strategy. Both of these viruses were subsequently molecularly cloned and were subsequently shown to be biologically active after transfection into recipient cells. A further aspect of this work was to construct a biologically active SFFVp containing a dominant selectable marker gene. A selectable construct was generated by joining different regions of the genome of the myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV) and SFFVp. A construct with the U3 region from the long terminal repeat (LTR) of SFFVp and the envelope gene region (gp55) of SFFVp (designated neo2 SFFVp) was found to be fully active as a selectable retroviral vector with identical biological properties to the wild type SFFVp neo2 SFFVp induced erythroid differentiation in vivo, with infected cells no longer requiring erythropoietin for differentiation. Furthermore neo2 SFFVp infected spleen cells could be used to generate immortal Friend leukaemia cells which were selectable with geneticin (neo2). A further construct, neo2 SFFV-M, which had a U3 region originating from NPSV was able to cause erythropoietin independent erythroid differentiation. However as compared to neo2 SFFVp and indeed the wild type SFFVp, neo2 SFFV-M was able to induce the erythroproliferative disease with a different kinetics. All attempts to isolate transformed Friend cells with this construct failed.

BT is endemic in India, particularly in the South and BTV strains belonging to twelve BTV-serotypes (BTV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21, 23 and 24) have been isolated since 2001. A pentavalent inactivated BTV vaccine containing serotypes 1, 2, 10, 16 and 23, is currently being used in the South. This study focusses on the isolation and the typing of BTV strains from Southern India, 2014-15, then generation of full length sequence data, primarily for BTV genome Seg-2 to provide molecular epidemiology information concerning the strains circulating in the region. Suspected field outbreaks of BTV from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in Southern India during 2014-2015 were attended to collect well documented blood and necropsy clinical samples from mixed population of small ruminants and cattle. Of the 447 field samples (EDTA blood, spleen, lymph node and saliva), 236 gave positive results for BTV RNA by serogroup-specific real-time RT-PCR targeting Seg-9 and Seg-10 for 2014 and 2015 samples respectively. A total of 141 BTV virus isolations were made from 141 serogroup-specific qRT-PCR positive samples, by infecting KC and BHK cells. The isolated 63 BTVs were serotyped by qRT-PCR assay targeting Seg-2 of the BTV-1 to BTV-24, BTV-26, BTV-27 and BTV-29, confirming the current co-circulation of 7 BTV serotypes, including BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4, BTV-5, BTV-9, BTV-10 and BTV-12 in 62 BTV isolates. Dual and triple BTV co-infections with these serotypes were detected in 22 and 4 BTV isolates, respectively. None of the serotypes present in the pentavalent vaccine were identified in any of the 22 BTV isolates from vaccinated animals, suggesting that the vaccine was indeed effective against the homologous serotype field strains. Among the 7 serotypes identified by Seg-2 based ORF sequence analysis of 46 BTV isolates (BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4, BTV-5, BTV-9, BTV-10 and BTV-12), 4 serotypes BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4 and BTV-9, belonged to eastern topotypes, whereas 3 serotypes, BTV-5, BTV-10 and BTV-12 were identified as western topotypes. For 4 BTV isolates, the serotype detected by qRT-PCR was different of that detected by NGS. The full genome sequencing and analyses is still ongoing in Glasgow. This data will assist in understand the epidemiology of the BT in India and implementation of effective BTV control to ensure the use of appropriate BTV serotype and strains in the available BT vaccine in India.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) represent a significant risk to human and animal health and thus determining the mechanisms of cross-species transmission is critical in understanding viral emergence. H3N8 equine influenza virus (EIV) is a virus of avian origin that emerged in horses in the early 1960s and is still circulating in horses despite the availability of vaccines. Therefore, H3N8 EIV provides unique opportunities to study the underpinning mechanisms of cross-species jumps and adaptation in mammalian hosts. The aim of this project was to determine the role of evolution on EIV adaptation to the horse. To this end, equine and avian cell lines were infected as well as horse tracheal explants with a panel of phylogenetically distinct EIVs and compared their infection phenotypes. Viral replication was quantified and changes in the histology and ciliary activity of infected explants were assessed to compare the phenotype of infection of each virus. Phylogenetically distinct EIVs exhibited different infection phenotypes: while early EIVs grew more efficiently in avian cells, late EIVs grew to higher titres in equine explants. This phenotype was demonstrated to be largely due to the late EIV viral polymerase. Using an in vitro measure of polymerase activity, late EIVs were observed to have more efficient activity in mammalian cells than early EIVs. The Polymerase Acidic (PA) and Nucleoprotein (NP) segments were shown to be the greatest drivers of the mammalian-adapted polymerase phenotype. Including either of these segments from a late EIV in the polymerase complex significantly increased minireplicon activity. Our results suggest that EIV adapted to the horse along its evolutionary history partly by mutations in the PA and NP genes.

Phleboviruses are emerging zoonotic pathogens which constitute a global threat to human and animal health. The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a widespread problem across the African continent and causes regular deadly outbreaks in ruminants. The recently emerged severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a serious human public health concern in China which has rapidly spread to Japan and Korea with fatality rates as high as 16-30%. Phleboviral cell entry is mediated by two viral glycoproteins: the class II fusion protein Gc and the lesser known Gn. Initial cell attachment is glycan dependent and the penetration into the cell cytoplasm is mediated by the Gc fusion protein which catalyses viral and cell membrane merger. The entry mechanism is not well understood from a structural perspective which limits mechanistic insights. The purpose of this thesis is to further our understanding of the cell entry process by filling in the missing structural information on the phleboviral glycoprotein layer. To this end, an integrated structural approach using cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography was adopted. The crystal structure of the Gn ectodomain is presented which reveals an unprecedented structural relationship with seemingly unrelated viruses. Single-particle cryo-EM and localized reconstruction reveal the glycoprotein layer of the RVFV and a pseudo-atomic model of the RVFV is presented. The assembly shows the shielding of the Gc fusion protein and suggests that the Gn functions as a fusion chaperone. The post-fusion crystal structure of the Gc protein from SFTSV further consolidates a mechanism of membrane fusion by class II fusion proteins. Finally, preliminary data on receptor binding and mechanism of antibody mediated neutralization are presented. The work presented herein provides a novel platform for studying and understanding entry and assembly of phleboviruses as well as the design of novel therapeutics.

The catalytic subunit of the herpes simplex virus 1 DNA polymerase (HSV-1 Pol) has been extensively studied; however, its full complement of functional domains has yet to be characterized. The previously uncharacterized pre-NH2-terminal domain (residues 1-140) within HSV-1 Pol is unique to the herpesvirus Pol family. We sought to investigate the importance of this domain for viral replication in cell culture and an animal model of infection. We evaluated the enzymatic activity of purified pre-NH2-terminal Pol mutant proteins in which conserved residues had been deleted or substituted. Subsequently, the corresponding pol mutant viruses were engineered for viral genetic analyses. We found that the extreme N-terminal 51 residues were not required for wild type 5’-3’ polymerase activity in vitro. Interestingly, the extreme N-terminal 42 residues were dispensable for viral replication in cell culture while a conserved motif at residues 44-49 was necessary for efficient viral DNA synthesis and production of infectious virus. Viral replication proteins have proven to be particularly important in the context of acute and latent infections in animals. Characterization of pol mutant virus replication in a mouse ocular model of infection revealed that the extreme N-terminal 42 residues were not required for viral replication and reactivation from latency. The conserved motif, however, was shown to be required for robust acute ganglionic replication and efficient latency establishment. We hypothesized that the conserved motif at residues 44-49 mediates a protein- protein interaction that positively impacts viral DNA synthesis during infection. Specific protein candidates were evaluated using purified proteins in vitro, and proteins that coprecipitated with wild type and mutant polymerases from infected cell lysates were analyzed. To date, we have yet to identify a protein whose binding was disrupted as a result of the mutation. Ultimately, we have established a role for the pre-NH2-terminal domain of HSV-1 Pol during viral replication that is distinct from 5’-3’ polymerase activity. The conserved motif mediates a function that is required for efficient viral DNA synthesis in cell culture and is of even greater importance for acute ganglionic replication in mice. The mechanism of action more than likely reflects a conserved mechanism for herpesvirus replication.

O Epstein-Barr vírus (EBV) é a única espécie humana pertencente ao gênero Lymphocryptovirus. A transmissão ocorre através da saliva contaminada e geralmente ainda na infância. Nosso estudo analisou 165 amostras clínicas de pacientes, portadores de HIV, em tratamento com antiretrovirais, atendidos no Sistema Hospitalar do Sistema Penitenciário do Estado de São Paulo. Nosso enfoque foi pesquisar o EBV nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico, através das técnicas de PCR, Nested-PCR e seqüenciamento de nucleotídeos. Os resultados obtidos, indicaram que 11,51% (19) das amostras analisadas, apresentaram-se positivas para o EBV. Essas 19 amostras, foram seqüenciadas com primers específicos para a região da EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1). As amostras foram alinhadas com o auxílio do DNASTAR. Ao alinharmos as amostras, encontramos uma troca de base (de G para A) em 7 amostras e essa troca não alterou a conformação da proteína EBNA-1. Na análise filogenética de nossas sequências com as depositadas no GenBank, foi possível observar dois grupos, que representam tipo 1 e o tipo 2 do EBV. 100% das amostras estudadas por nós foram identificadas como pertencentes ao grupo que caracteriza o tipo 2. Sendo assim, as 7 amostras que apresentaram a troca sugerem a origem um novo subtipo.
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is the only species to the genus Lymphocriptovirus that infects humans. One of the possible route for its transmission thought by contamined saliva and usually occurs in the childhood. This study analysed 165 clinical samples from HIV infected patients, treated by HARRT, attended in the Hospitalar System in the Penitentiary System from Sao Paulo State. The aim of this study was to search EBV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by PCR, Nested-PCR and sequencing analysis. The results showed 11,51% of the analysed samples, positive for EBV. This samples, was sequenced with specifics primers from the EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1) region. The samples were aligned by DNASTAR program. The aligned sequences showed the base conversion G to A in seven samples. This conversion caused no alteration in the EBNA-1 protein conformation. In the phylogenetic analysis the studied sequences with the sequences from GenBank was possible to observe two groups represented with type 1 and type 2 from EBV. 100% the samples studied was identified with the group characterized by the type 2 to EBV. So the seven samples showed the conversion, suggesting the origin of the one new subtype.

To explore whether rabies viral variants co-localize with discrete bat host populations (sub-populations), both the host genome and rabies virus of Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bats), Myotis lucifugus (little brown bats) and other Myotis specimens, collected during 1989 to 2004 from diagnostic submissions from across the country, were genetically characterized. Bat species population analysis was performed by nuclear DNA genotyping, scored by variation of several microsatellite loci, and through phylogenetic analysis of Cox-1 (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) gene sequences located on mitochondrial DNA. Microsatellites are relatively short DNA stretches consisting of tandem repeats of one to five nucleotides which exhibit high levels of allelic variation. Cox-1 gene sequence analysis provides accurate species level of identification for Myotis lucifugus specimens. Two hundred and ninety five DNA samples of Eptesicus fuscus were examined at 9 microsatellite loci, and 126 DNA samples of Myotis lucifugus were examined at 7 microsatellite loci, both datasets were analyzed by a series of genetic population analysis softwares. Phylogeny of Cox-1 gene sequences with 552 nucleotides by using 106 DNA samples of bats Myotis lucifugus was analyzed as an alternative strategy of the microsatellite gene marker for population structure determination of Myotis lucifugus . Consequently, two populations---East (group I) and West (group II) were determined for Eptesicus fuscus bats in Canada. No population structure was identified for Myotis lucifugus bats. Rabies viral variants were identified by nucleotide sequencing of the central divergent portion of the P (phosphoprotein) gene---a region previously proved to be a sensitive target for molecular epidemiology analysis. Viral RNA, isolated from 231 samples of Eptesicus fuscus and Myotis species was sequenced over a 597 by region. Phylogenetic analysis of these data identified six rabies viral variants circulating in Eptesicus fuscus and one rabies viral variant circulating in Myotis species. Based on the results of genetic characterization, the spatial distribution of the bat host subpopulations and their associated rabies virus variants were determined. Rabies variants I and II circulate in Eptesicus fuscus population I (East); rabies variants III, IV and V circulate in Eptesicus fuscus population II (West); and rabies variant VI circulates in both populations. A distinct rabies virus variant VII was associated with Myotis species. No population substructure would be identified for Myotis lucifugus bats.

Viral oncolytic therapy, a novel treatment for cancer using specially designed viruses to kill malignant cells while leaving normal cells unharmed, is currently under intense investigation. Several receptors are up-regulated in cancer cells, including decay-accelerating factor (DAF; CD55) and integrins (αvβ3, αvβ6) and viruses which recognise these receptors could be useful for therapy. Several echoviruses, including Echovirus 11 (E11), bind to DAF; coxsackievirus A9 (CVA9) utilizes an RGD motif to bind to integrins, particularly αvβ6. Some isolates of CVA9 also bind to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). This thesis describes work designed to improve our understanding of CVA9 and echovirus cell/receptor tropism. Several echoviruses and CVA9 variants were tested in a panel of 9 cell lines. Distinct patterns of infection were seen, but did not fully correlate with receptor expression, suggesting that other determinants also help to define tropism. To investigate this further, E11 was adapted by passaging on two cell lines, A549 and HeLa. Two mutations were seen in A549-adapted virus, and both mapped to the DAF-binding footprint, suggesting changes to E11/DAF interactions. A single mutation in VP4 was seen in HeLa-adapted virus, and may affect a later stage in cell entry. To investigate CVA9 binding to HSPG, 3 isolates were propagated on A549 cells and heparin-blocked mutants were isolated. Although the isolates are diverse, the same mutation (VP3 Q59R) was seen in two isolates and probably gives a positively-charged cluster with adjacent amino acids. Other mutations were seen close to the RGD motif, where there is already a highly basic sequence. The results suggest multiple potential mechanisms for HSPG-binding. Combinations of some of the adapting mutations discovered could significantly enhance the tropism of these viruses to specific cancer cells and optimise them as oncolytic agents.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) (Family: Picornaviridae, Genus: Aphthovirus) is a significant global pathogen with extensive economic impact. FMDV has a low fidelity RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and lacks proof reading capability. This coupled with its relatively short generation time and large population sizes means it exists in a swarm of genetically closely related variants. The reservoir of diversity contained within this mutant spectrum allows the virus to adapt rapidly to new environments. Much of the previous work looking at virus evolution has focused on the consensus level genetic sequence. The advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies enables evolutionary studies of the entire viral swarm. This PhD project uses NGS technologies to interrogate the swarm structure by investigating factors affecting the viral swarm and the dynamics of variants within it. Furthermore, this work shows how analysis of the swarm can reveal fundamental information about virus biology. A PCR-free NGS methodology was developed to create deep sequencing data sets of all genomes present within an FMDV viral swarm. The elimination of the PCR step results in less errors being introduced in the sequencing process thereby improving the resolution and reliability of the identification of low level variants. This optimised method was then used to define and compare the FMDV swarms of several wildtype isolates. This revealed differences in swarm structure from isolate to isolate and produced evidence of within swarm selection. Not all proteins known to be under selection at the consensus level were also under selection within the swarm. The diversity of viruses within the swarm was found to be dependent upon the host from which a virus was sampled, with African buffalo potentially able to maintain multiple infections. Subconsensus variants in these mixed samples had mutations at positions previously associated with immune escape. Investigation of the evolution of swarm structure when adapting to new cell type in vitro indicated that two distinct population structures can exist relative to the existence of adaptive pressure. These two population structures have different distributions of variable nucleotides but comparative total levels of variation (as measured by Shannon's entropy). Deep sequencing of the virus swarm enabled the discovery of conserved novel stem loop structures, which were hypothesized to be required for packaging of the virus genome. Mutating these sites produced a virus with decreased packaging efficiency. This thesis includes novel analysis techniques for considering the viral swarm. It demonstrates how investigating the diversity in the swarm can help us to understand virus molecular biology, its evolution and the limits upon this. Understanding viral evolution at this scale has the capacity to improve our fundamental understanding of the biology and evolution of FMDV which can in turn inform vaccine design and disease control strategies.

Cell Biology
Ph.D.
In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, being infected with the virus that causes the disease was considered a virtual death sentence. But with the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), many infected with HIV-1 are living much longer. In fact, it is estimated that by 2015, about half of all HIV-positive individuals will be older than 50. Yet those over 50 also progress to AIDS faster than adults in their 20s or 30s. And those in the younger age bracket, even those responding well to antiretroviral therapy, still exhibit illnesses and clinical conditions commonly associated with older people, such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), certain cancers, liver and bones diseases. For the most part, the reasons for this have remained a mystery. However, one may ask, how in the absence of circulating detected virus, viral proteins could cause this kind of damage. The answer is that eradication of latent viruses still unsuccessful and studies showed the persistence of HIV-1 in brain cells as well as the presence of viral proteins in CSF. This notion was supported by the compelling neuropathological data suggesting that the loss of Synaptic Plasticity occurs with the ongoing presence of virus and despite HAART. Clinically, these neuropathological data manifest by a gradual loss of working memory and learning disability, which promote alteration of synaptic plasticity that may manifest by symptoms similar to the ones observed in aged brain or what is called PREMATURE BRAIN AGING. Anatomically, working memory and learning ability functions are assured by neurons of the hippocampus, a brain area known-to-be affected by HIV-1 proteins. Mechanistically, several laboratories, including ours, demonstrated that viral proteins perform their functions through deregulation of several molecular pathways that can cause mitochondrial damage (such as depletion of mitochondrial calcium and release of ROS), inhibition of axonal transport leading to prevent neuronal communications or loss of long-term potentiation (LTP). Interestingly, CREB and BDNF proteins have been shown to play an important role in this phenomenon directly or through its downstream target genes. In here, we examined the impact of HIV-1 Tat on CREB-BDNF pathway and whether Tat is using this pathway to cause neuronal deregulation.
Temple University--Theses

The South African isolate of the Black Queen-Cell Virus (BQCV), a honeybee virus, was previously found to have an 8550 nucleotide genome excluding the poly(A) tail. Its genome contained two ORFs, a 5'-proximal ORF encoding a putative replicase protein and a 3'-proximal ORF encoding a capsid polyprotein.

A reverse transcriptase PCR (RT -PCR) assay was developed for the detection of BQCV and acute bee-paralysis virus (ABPV). Complete genomes sequences w ere used to design unique PCR primers within a l-kb region from the 3' end of both genomes to amplify a fragment of 70.0 bp from BQCV and 900 bp from ABPV. The combined guanidinium thiocyanate and silica membrane method was used to extract total RNA from samples of healthy and laboratory-infected bee pupae. In a blind test, RT-PCR successfully identified the samples containing BQCV and ABPV. Sensitivities were of the order of 130 genome equivalents of purified BQCV and 1600 genome equivalents of ABPV.

Mosquito-borne arboviruses are a considerable threat to human and animal health across the world. Many of them are classed as emerging or remerging pathogens and the incidence of disease for a number of serious viral infections has increased as they expand their geographical and host ranges. As with other invertebrates, mosquitoes lack the adaptive immune response present in vertebrates and instead rely on their innate immune defences to modulate viral infections. Nevertheless, in contrast to vertebrates, arboviral infections in their arthropod vector are non-pathogenic and have no cytopathic effect or detrimental impact on their survival. The response considered to be the most important for antiviral defence in mosquitoes is RNA interference (RNAi) which is a sequence-specific, RNA silencing mechanism. Most of what is known about antiviral RNAi in arthropods has been established in Drosophila as the model insect organism. These studies have benefited from an extensive range of genetic mutants, molecular tools, reporter assays and genetic profiling. The absence of these tools for use in mosquito research is a substantial deficit for arboviral studies in their natural vector system and must be rectified in order to fully understand the influence vector immunity has on virus transmission. This thesis discusses the development of a ‘molecular tool-box’ for advancing the acquisition of knowledge in this area. Efficient RNAi gene silencing and its effect on the antiviral RNAi response was established in vitro using Semliki Forest virus (SFV) as model arbovirus. This assay determined that knock-down of Argonaute-2 had the most substantial impact on virus replication compared to the knockdown of other RNAi proteins. In addition, the limited detection of virus-derived small RNAs, key molecules of the antiviral RNAi response by Northern blot analysis provides further support to previous evidence that SFV may circumvent the antiviral response by sequestering its genomic RNA, resulting in restricted access by the RNAi machinery and preventing the generation of large quantities of virus-derived small RNAs. However, some SFV-derived small RNAs are known to be produced and these have been shown to generate a pattern of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ spots along the full-length coding sequences. This thesis has determined that this pattern is not exclusive to viral-derived dsRNA trigger molecules but is also exhibited following the treatment of mosquito cells in culture with non-viral dsRNA. This implies that all exogenous dsRNA is processed by RNAi in a similar manner. This study has also characterised the presence of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) encoded by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. RdRPs are important for the amplification and spread of the RNAi signal in other organisms such as plants and worms; however, only one study suggested the existence of one in Drosophila. Although, this project proposed the presence and transcription of a homologue of the Drosophila RdRP in the Aedes aegypti-derived Aag2 cell line, protein knockdown assays revealed that it has no effect on virus replication in vitro; suggesting that it does not function as an RdRP. Due to the lack of antibodies against the major RNAi proteins Dicer-1, Dicer-2, Argonaute-1 and Argonaute-2 in mosquitoes, these were designed and screened which allowed the identification of several candidates for the detection of the proteins in mosquito cells in culture. Further to this, recombinant forms of the RNAi initiator protein Dicer-2 and the slicer protein Argonaute-2 were successfully generated and tested in vitro using different promoters to establish their use for future temporal and spatial kinetic studies. It was concluded that of the promoters tested the most successful for the expression of these reporter constructs was the subgenomic promoter of SFV. On the other hand a second promoter, the PUb promoter, may prove more suitable in the future. Finally, this project studied the antiviral capabilities of a non-haematophagous mosquito cell line which would not come across an arboviral infection by traditional blood- feeding routes. Instead the mosquito larvae sustain their adult life stages by feeding on the larvae of other species which may be vertically infected. A cell line derived from Toxorhynchites amboinensis was characterised and was shown to carry out RNAi if induced by dsRNA suggesting that they are able to mount an antiviral response to acquired infections. This study also determined that the cell line contains an endogenous insect specific virus and, although the source of this is unknown, it adds an interesting new dimension to mosquito antiviral immunity. This thesis enhances RNAi research in Aedes mosquitoes by presenting novel molecular tools and reporter assays which will be highly valuable for facilitating future investigations. The studies performed also add to what is already understood regarding the interaction between SFV and mosquito antiviral immunity through the RNAi response.

Le virus Zika (ZIKV) est un phénomène épidémiologique sans précédent qui surprit le monde entier. Pendant de nombreuses années, il fut considéré comme un virus anodin responsable d’une poignée d’infections humaines, auto-limitées et bénignes, en Afrique et en Asie du Sud-est. Mais, après des décennies de propagation silencieuse, une première épidémie éclata en Micronésie en 2007 - tel un signal d'alarme. Quelques années plus tard, une soudaine épidémie de ZIKV de plus grande ampleur se déclara dans les îles du Pacifique avant d'atteindre le Brésil en 2015. Au cours de cette période, Zika fut associé à de graves complications neurologiques, mettant en évidence son fort potentiel pathogène pour l'homme. Depuis son émergence, plus de 80 pays et territoires ont été touchés par la pandémie de ZIKV, désormais reconnu comme un virus neurotrope et tératogène. L'association des souches contemporaines de ZIKV à des formes graves de maladie chez l'homme, qui n'ont jamais été signalées auparavant, a soulevé l'hypothèse d'une pathogénicité nouvellement acquise. Ainsi, mes travaux de doctorat visaient à déterminer si l'ampleur de l'épidémie actuelle pouvait en partie avoir été facilitée par des facteurs viraux qui auraient renforcé la fitness du ZIKV. À cette fin, mon projet de recherche s'est concentré sur l'identification des facteurs moléculaires viraux impliqués dans la pathogénicité du virus Zika chez l’homme à partir du développement de clones moléculaires
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an unprecedented epidemiological phenomenon which surprised the world. For many years, it was considered a trivial virus responsible for only a handful of human infections, self-limited and benign, in Africa and Southeast Asia. But then, after decades of silent spread, a first epidemic broke out in Micronesia in 2007 – like a warning signal. A few years later, a sudden Zika outbreak of larger scale occurred in the Pacific islands before reaching Brazil in 2015. During this period, Zika was associated with severe neurological complications, highlighting its serious pathogenic potential for humans. Since its emergence, more than 80 countries and territories have been affected by the ZIKV pandemic, which is now recognized as a neurotropic and teratogenic virus. The association of contemporary ZIKV strains with severe forms of disease in humans, that have never been reported before, has raised the hypothesis of newly acquired pathogenicity. In this regard, my doctoral research aimed to determine whether the scope of the current epidemic was partly facilitated by viral factors that improved ZIKV fitness. To this end, my research project focused on the identification of the viral molecular factors involved in Zika virus pathogenicity in humans based on the development of molecular clones

Recombination is an important biological process in a diverse range of viruses, particularly those with single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genomes including the enteroviruses. Mutations caused by the error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the vast population size of these virus populations are evolutionary mechanisms that generate genetic diversity – this allows viruses to survive under changing environmental pressures (e.g. adaptive host immunity). Ribonucleic acid recombination has been identified as another contributing mechanism involved in diversification, by removing interfering or lethal mutations from a virus genome, and by establishing new viruses. Virus RNA recombination is well documented and is identified in several virus families including picornaviruses. However, recombination is a rare event and the study of the molecular mechanisms behind virus recombination is complicated by our ability to isolate and analyse recombinants from a mixed virus population including the parental viruses. The objectives of this study were to firstly devise a method for generating populations of natural recombinant viruses, and secondly, to study the molecular processes that determine where and when recombination occurred in the enteroviral genome. During this project, an in vitro system was developed to allow the recovery of recombinant enteroviruses in the absence of their parental viruses. Two virus RNA molecules containing “lesions” rendering them unable to generate viable virus on their own were co-transfected into mouse L929 cells. The method required two parental virus RNA molecules to be present in a single cell to produce a viable recombinant virus. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing analysis confirmed the recombinant nature of progeny virus genomes. Experimental data confirmed the effectiveness of the method and provided evidence that recombination occurs in at least two phases. Initial template switching, referring to the transfer of RdRp from one RNA template to another mid-replication, occurred apparently indiscriminately and with the addition of extra virus and non-virus sequence at the junction sites. In the second phase, any additional sequence was lost during subsequent rounds of replication and selection. The approach was expanded to incorporate viruses from different enterovirus species to investigate intra- and interspecies recombination events.

Propagation methods for honeybee viruses have not changed since these viruses were discovered. There are no suitable cell lines or cell culture techniques available for honeybee viruses. Honeybee viruses have to be manually injected with virus in order for the virus to multiply and be extracted. With the presence of inapparent viruses which could co-infect pupae, a method for pure virus propagations needs to be found. Recombinant baculovirus systems have been used extensively to produce foreign proteins from different viruses using vectors and recombinant technology. In this chapter we inserted the capsid gene from BQCV into a transfer vector under the control of the p10 promoter of Autographa californica. Fractions of the sucrose gradient containing the virus like particles (VLPs) were seen under the electron microscope. A Western blot showed the four capsid proteins at the expected sizes for BQCV capsid. This study therefore has shown that a heterologous system such as baculovirus can be used for virus like particle production. Infectious virus technology has helped gain insight into how viruses work. Using this technology altering honeybee viruses could be used to observe different functionalities of the viruses. An attempt was made to interchange the open reading frames of ABPV and BQCV to observe any changes in virus assembly and infectivity. A fusion PCR strategy was employed to interchange the 5&rsquo
and 3&rsquo
ORFs of APBV and BQCV. The strategy however was unsuccessful. Alternative strategies could improve the chances of obtaining a chimeric virus.

The discovery of viroids in 1971 opened the door to a whole new field of RNA biochemistry. Viroids subsequently became the first of many facets of RNA biochemistry: the first single stranded covalently closed RNA discovered in nature, the first subviral pathogen discovered, and the first pathogen of a eukaryotic system to have its genome sequenced. Viroids are the smallest known agents of infectious disease and they represent the borders of life. They replicate autonomously within their host and since they do not code for their own proteins, they act as scavengers of the host transcriptional machinery. By doing so, viroids find ways of trafficking, localizing, and replicating within their host based on the sequence and structure of the RNA alone. Once in their hosts, viroids are incredibly resilient and can cause economic damage on several commercial crops. Apart from controlling viroids for economic reasons, the more enticing feature of viroid study is the use of viroids as model systems to study essential underlying questions about the evolution of RNA pathogens, and to use viroids as models to study non-coding RNAs. The field of non-coding RNA research has surged within the past decade and viroids are becoming important vehicles to bring insight into this field of study. The study of viroids has been extensive through the years, but several questions remain: What structural conformations do viroids employ to recruit host enzymes, and what are the enzymes that cleave and ligate viroids into mature progeny. To answer some of these questions, we have looked at processing of the potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) RNA in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that one specific construct will process into a mature viroid circle in yeast and we also found that processing in this system is distinct from other plant and non-plant based host systems. This processing is a delicate interplay of ligation and degradation by host machinery. Yeast is a great system to study viroid processing as yeast allows for use of the entire toolbox of temperature-sensitive and knockout protein mutants. By employing yeast, focus can be driven towards the mechanisms of host protein recruitment, viroid processing requirements, and degradation mechanisms from the host. We have ascertained insight into PSTVd processing using yeast. We have found methods to transform and process PSTVd, investigated enzymes that effect processing, and started to establish an in vitro yeast system. Through these studies, we have also developed a method to enrich viroid RNAs from total RNA extractives. This has been vital to assays specific around viroid transcription and cleavage. Overall, this research is further testament that viroids are minimalist scavengers of a very diverse array of cellular transcriptional machinery. They can process in higher eukaryotes (plants) and simple eukaryotes (yeast). They are shown to affect each host in distinct manners using fundamental RNA biology that all organisms share.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Biology, 2007.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-07, Section: B, page: 4320. Adviser: Donald H. Burke-Aguero. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Apr. 22, 2008).

Biomedical Sciences
M.S.
Background: Adeno- associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) has a high transduction efficiency for cardiac tissues, along with liver, skeletal muscle, pancreatic tissue, and the eye, versus other AAV serotypes. Unfortunately, nonspecific targeting to the intended tissue can result in the need for use of higher particle numbers to obtain intended transduction of the target tissue, which may also increase chances of initiating innate and adaptive immune responses. Such limitations require the need to bioengineer AAV9, and other serotypes including AAV6 and AAV8, in order to develop recombinant AAV vectors with cardiac tissue specific targeting and altered surface antigenic properties that may evade phosphorylation mediated degradation, neutralization, and clearance. Methods: Random mutagenesis PCR was used to mutate the external surface domains of AAV9 and chimeric AAV9-2 capsids. Mutations in the VP3 capsid sequences, cloned into helper plasmids pXR9 and chimeric pXR9-2 (substituting the 3-fold loop region of AAV9's VP3 with AAV2's), were used to generate a small library of rAAV9 or chimeric 9-2 vectors with mutant capsids. For accurate comparison, parent plasmids AAV9-2, AAV9 and AAV2 (with no mutations) were also used to generate rAAV vectors, each packaging the luciferase transgene. Mutant or parent vectors expressing luciferase were used to transduce HEK293 cells (HEK293s), neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCMs), and neonatal or adult rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCFs), in vitro (1,000 vp/cell). Relative luciferase activities and protein concentrations were measured (RLU/ug/uL), respectively. A second approach at mutagenesis of the pXR9-2 capsid was employed. Surface-exposed T and Y residues were substituted for Valine or Phenylalanine and an ischemic myocardium targeting peptide (ICTP) motif was inserted at site 588 of the VP1 capsid protein. Results: A small library of mutant rAAV9 or 9-2 vectors was screened in HEK293s, NCMs, and RCFs in vitro. Luciferase assay results led to the selection of several mutants, believed to have enhanced levels of transgene expression. After large scale production of mutant and parent vectors, in vitro transduction assays revealed mutant vectors did not transduce NCMs or RCFs cultures better than their respective parent vectors. Recombinant AAV9-2R mutants, containing all or some point mutations and/or ICTP, produced similar results. Some mutants exhibited changes in tropism properties that were different from the parent vectors. Still, parent vector AAV9-2 displayed robust transduction efficiency, much greater than the other parent or mutant vectors. These results encourage us to continue our investigation into its unique properties. Conclusions: This study reflects the difficulties of AAV capsid mutagenesis. We hope that this study can serve as a tool to further our understanding of AAV's molecular and structural biology properties.
Temple University--Theses

The Herpesviridae family of viruses includes a number of human pathogens of clinical importance. Like other herpesviruses, cytomegaloviruses require a heterodimeric nuclear egress complex (NEC) consisting of a membrane-bound protein and a soluble nucleoplasmic protein, termed in murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) M50 and M53, respectively. Genetic, electron microscopic, and immunocytochemical studies have revealed the importance of this complex for viral replication, most predominantly in facilitating egress of viral nucleocapsids across the nuclear membrane. Despite the significance of the NEC to the herpesvirus life cycle, there is a dearth of structural information regarding the components of the complex. We present here an NMR-determined solution-state structure of the conserved, structured, soluble portion of M50 (residues 1-168), which exhibits novel structural character. We mapped the binding site of a highly conserved minimal binding domain of the M53 homologue from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV; UL53) required for heterodimerization onto the structure and identified specific residues in a groove within the M50 protein fold that interact with the UL53 peptide. This site was verified biophysically and biologically: single amino acid substitutions of the corresponding residues of the homologous protein from HCMV (UL50) resulted in decreased UL53 binding in vitro, as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, and substitutions that had the greatest effect on binding affinity caused disruption of UL50-UL53 co-localization and lethal defects in the context of HCMV infection. We then compared the effect of binding UL53 peptide with binding of the larger natural binding partner, M53 (residues 103-333) via NMR, with the results suggesting that conformational changes most likely occur on a fold-wide level in the context of the full complex. We suggest that these findings combined with the clinical relevance, the virus-specific aspects of nuclear egress, and the novelty of the structure make the HCMV NEC an attractive potential drug target. To this end, we used in silico screening to identify possible small molecule inhibitors and have begun validating top screen hits biophysically and biologically.

The genetic code is highly conserved across all domains of life, enabling horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between organisms and across ecosystems via horizontally-transferred genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids. While HGT increases genetic diversity, it poses a risk to engineered biological systems by introducing new genes that destabilize engineered functions or allowing the expression of engineered genes in wild organisms with unknown effects. A model organism engineered with an alternative genetic code may provide new insight into the origins of the genetic code while also providing a stable chassis for engineered biological systems.

The Isaacs Lab recently developed an Escherichia coli strain lacking both UAG stop codons and Release Factor 1, resulting in the first genomically recoded organism (GRO) with an unassigned codon in its genetic code. Here, we demonstrate that this alternative genetic code lacking UAG codon assignment confers resistance to multiple viruses (λ, M13, PI, MS2) at titers up to 10¹¹ PFU/mL and impairs conjugative plasmid function (F and RK2) up to 10⁵-fold. Propagating viruses on a mixed microbial community containing standard and alternative genetic codes also reduced viral population fitness and prompted viral adaptation to the alternative genetic code. In investigating the molecular mechanism underlying the resistance to viruses and conjugative plasmids, we found that UAG-ending genes elicit ribosomal stalling and the tmRNAmediated ribosomal rescue response, resulting in degradation of UAG-ending proteins and suggesting that genomic recoding may be a broadly applicable strategy to impair horizontal gene transfer into other organisms.

To prevent the expression of engineered genes in wild organisms, we reassigned the UAG codon in the GRO to a sense codon incorporating the non-standard amino acid 4-acetylphenylalanine (pAcF) through the introduction of an orthogonal translation system (OTS). We then created a library of UAG-containing variants and assessed escape of UAG-containing genes from the GRO into wild-type organisms for both a non-selective green fluorescent protein (GFP) and selective chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. While 1 UAG codon impaired the expression of GFP in wild-type organisms, at least 2 UAG codons were required in CAT to consistently prevent escaped expression in wild-type organisms with a standard genetic code. Additionally, sequencing revealed that wild-type organisms enabled expression of CAT by mutating UAG codons to UGG coding for tryptophan or CAG coding for glutamine. By placing UAG at sites in proteins that cannot tolerate a tryptophan or glutamine substitution, we can create UAG-containing genes further isolated from expression in wild organisms.

As biotechnology increasingly targets open-environment applications such as bioremediation or disease treatment in humans, we require methods to stabilize and control the genetic information that we encode in engineered biological systems. Because alternative genetic codes can both confer resistance to horizontal gene transfer into an engineered system and restrict expression of engineered genes in wild-type organisms, genomic recoding of organisms to contain alternative genetic codes is a promising path towards increasing the stability and safety of engineered biological systems. However, open-environment applications will expose engineered biological systems to new stresses not represented in the laboratory environment, and further work is required to validate these methods will be robust in conditions of limiting nutrients or other cellular stresses. Additionally, while we have demonstrated genetic isolation of the GRO with respect to genes both entering and leaving the cell, we cannot currently have both properties simultaneously because UAG is the sole open codon. We envision that current research into further codon reassignments, including the reassignment of sense codons, will pave the way for alternate genetic codes with multiple codon reassignments. By expanding recoding efforts to multiple species, we envision the development of synthetic microbial communities with alternate genetic codes that are genetically isolated and robust to perturbation by HGT.

The molecular gatekeepers of nearly all gene expression in living cells are the proteins that function in the process of transcription. Transcription occurs when a cell must respond to a signal. These signals can be in the form of metabolic responses, signals for growth or differentiation, signals to defend against stress or pathogenic invasion, to name a few. The fundamentals of transcription have been extensively studied in bacterial systems and model organisms, but technical limitations have hindered their studies in mammalian and human systems. Recent developments in mass spectrometric methodologies, next-generation sequencing and techniques to study difficult-to-detect post-translational protein modifications are extensively reviewed here to highlight an important regulatory network through which gene expression is regulated. In addition, I present two vignettes: the first, a study of the regulatory mechanisms of monomethylation of the HIV-1 Tat protein in regulating HIV-1 gene expression and latency; the second, a study investigating the role of acetylation in regulating RNA Polymerase II protein modifications and gene expression in mammalian systems. Together, these studies combine new mass spectrometric techniques, modification-specific antibodies, protein purification methods, and next generation sequencing to better understand the role of these modifications in regulating the transcriptional response in mammalian systems. These findings can be applied to better understand mechanisms that regulate HIV-1 viral latency, along with fundamentally shifting the field of mammalian transcription by pinpointing unique modes of regulation only found in higher eukaryotes relevant to HIV-1 infection and cancer.

Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) (Potyvirus genus, Potyviridae family) causes important yield losses in sweet potato crops, in particular in co-infections with the unrelated crinivirus Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV). This thesis addresses the characterization of some novel aspects in the infectious cycle of SPFMV, such as the expression, production and function of a new gene product named P1N-PISPO. A better understanding of SPFMV genome organization and the functions of their gene products might be relevant to improve the control strategies against this virus and the associated diseases in sweet potato crops. The positive-sense RNA genome of SPFMV contains a large ORF, translatable as a polyprotein yielding a set of functional mature gene products (P1, HCPro, P3, 6K1, CI, 6K2, VPg-Nla, Nlb and CP), and a short ORF named PIPO in the -1 frame, embedded within the P3 region. In addition to this organization, common to all the members of the Potyvirus genus, another ORF named PISPO was predicted in the genome. PISPO is in the -1 frame within the P1 region of SPFMV and other related potyviruses, starting at a conserved G1_2A6_7 motif, similar to the motif found upstream of PIPO. The expression of PISPO during SPFMV viral infection could result in the production of a putative new gene product P1N-PISPO. In the present work, the presence of the PISPO frame has been investigated in a Spanish isolate of SPFMV infecting Ipomoea batata plants. The genome sequence of this isolate has been assembled from NGS data, showing that the expected trans-framed PISPO sequences is present, preceded by a G2A6 motif. A specific analysis of the NGS data has revealed a significant proportion of transcripts with an extra A in the motif at the beginning of PISPO, as well as a lower proportion of transcripts with an extra in the corresponding conserved motif preceding the PIPO region. These results have demonstrated that a polymerase slippage mechanism could generate transcripts containing extra A residues (G2A7) to allow the translation of P1N-PISPO and P3N-PIPO gene products. Analysis of the viral gene products present in SPFMV infected plant tissues has been performed using LC-MS/MS after separation in SDS- PAGE, focusing in products > 50KDa. Peptides corresponding to the P1 protein have been detected from both the N-terminal portion (11 different peptides, 39% coverage), before the frameshifting signal and therefore common for P1 and P1N-PISPO, and in the C- terminal part (2 peptides exclusive for P1, 10% coverage). Interestingly, four peptides exclusive of PISPO, in its unique ORF (21.3% coverage), have been also found. These results have confirmed that both products P1 and P1N-PISPO are expressed and coexisted during SPFMV infection. Furthermore, transient expression of SPFMV gene products coagroinfiltrated with a reporter gene in Nicotiana benthamiana have revealed that P1N-PISPO acts as an RNA silencing suppressor, a role normally associated with HCPro in other potyviruses. Moreover, mutation of WG/GW motifs present in P1N-PISPO abolished its silencing suppression activity, suggesting that the function might require interaction with Argonaute components of the silencing machinery, as was shown for other viral suppressors. Altogether, the results of this thesis have confirmed the expression of P1N-PISPO during SPFMV infection and they have revealed a polymerase slippage mechanism as the responsible of P1N-PISPO production. Our results also have demonstrated the role of P1N-PISPO as a RNA silencing suppressor.
El virus Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) (Gènere Potyvirus, Família Potyviridae) presenta un genoma de cadena senzilla i positiva de ARN que conté una pauta de lectura oberta (ORF), traduïda com una poliproteïna que dóna lloc a un conjunt de productes gènics madurs, i una ORF curta anomenada PIPO que es troba en el marc de lectura -1 de la regió P3 de la poliproteïna. A més a més, en el seu genoma s'ha observat una ORF addicional anomenada PISPO. PISPO es troba en el marc de lectura -1 dins de la regió gènica de la P1 en SPFMV i els potyvirus més propers, començant en el motiu conservat G 1_2A6_7 i similar al motiu d'inici de PIPO. La expressió de PISPO durant la infecció del virus donaria lloc a la producció del hipotètic producte gènic P1N-PISPO. La presència de la pauta de lectura PISPO, precedida per un motiu G2A6, ha estat confirmada en un aïllat Espanyol de SPFMV. L'anàlisi de dades obtingudes per seqüenciació massiva, ha permès identificar una proporció significativa de transcrits que contenen una A extra en el motiu al començament de PISPO, així com una proporció menor de transcrits amb aquesta A extra en el motiu de PIPO. Aquests resultats han demostrat que un mecanisme d'edició de la polimerasa podria generar transcrits amb residus A extra (G2A7), els quals permetrien la traducció dels productes gènics P1N-PISPO i P3N-PIPO. L'anàlisi del productes gènics virals presents en teixits de plantes infectades amb SPFMV s'ha dut a terme mitjançant un experiment de LC-MS/MS. Pèptids corresponents a la part N-terminal de la proteïna P1 (abans del motiu d'edició) han estat detectats, així com pèptids exclusius de la part C-terminal de la P1 i de la pauta de lectura de PISPO. Aquests resultats han confirmat que tant P1 com P1N-PISPO són expressats i co-existeixen durant la infecció de SPFMV. L'expressió transitòria de productes gènics de SPFMV coagroinfiltrats amb un gen reporter en Nicotiana benthamiana ha revelat que P1N-PISPO actua com a supressor de silenciament d'ARN, un rol associat normalment a HCPro en altres potyvirus. Per últim, la mutació de motius WG/GW presents en P1N-PISPO aboleix la seva activitat com a supressor, suggerint que la funció pot està lligada a la interacció amb les proteïnes Argonauta de la maquinària de silenciament, tal i com passa en altres supressors virals.

Analysis of primary sequence data revealed a subset of open reading frames that were predicted to encode HSV-I dUTPases based on five areas of local primary sequence conservation. The differences in the primary sequence organisation of these motif regions allowed the description of two distinct dUTPase classes. The class I dUTPases are encoded by a diverse range of organisms and are characterised by a trimeric arrangement with subunit protein lengths approximating 150 amino acids. The class II dUTPases are specific to the herpesviruses and are characterised by a monomeric arrangement with a protein chain length approximately double that of their class I counterparts. It has been proposed that the class II dUTPases arose by the intragenic duplication of the class I open reading frame. In this thesis the class I structures were used as a basis to investigate the HSV-1 class II dUTPase in terms of structural and evolutionary relationships. To allow a defined approach to functional analysis of the HSV-1 dUTPase a tertiary structural model was generated for the class II enzymes. Following intensive primary sequence analysis a method was devised for comparing class I and class II sequences directly. Secondary structure prediction programs were utilised to judge the basic structural similarities between the two classes allowing the proposition of several defined hypotheses. The available class I structural information was utilised in order to characterise highly conserved structural elements within the class I group. In was then possible to relate this data set to class I primary sequences and subsequently to the generation of a class II model. Various modelling techniques were used based on the constraints on the structural organisation that could achieve a functionally active monomer plus the set of hypotheses defined in the earlier work. Mutagenic analysis of the HSV-1 dUTPase was then possible using the class II model as a reference. Several targets were investigated based on predicated functionally important regions. Analysis of these mutant enzymes was performed using purified recombinant HSV-1 dUTPase expressed from the T7 E.coli expression system.

CD8+ T cells are a crucial component of the adaptive immune system and are required for optimal protection from most pathogens and cancer. They function by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and by directly eliminating infected and malignant cells. In order to be effective, CD8+ T cells must be activated through a complex sequence of steps involving engagement of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and other receptors, which orchestrate transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic changes that direct the differentiation of the responding cells. Following optimal activation, naive CD8+ T cells rapidly undergo clonal expansion and effector differentiation that enables prompt resolution of infection. Following pathogen clearance, a fraction of effector CD8+ T cells differentiate into long-lived memory CD8+ T cells that provide robust protection from re-challenge with the same microbe. However, in the context of persistent abundance of antigen and inflammation, such as in chronic infections and in cancer, the T cells instead become gradually more dysfunctional – a state known as T cell exhaustion. The overarching goal of this thesis is to identify the cardinal features and molecular mechanisms associated with three main states in which CD8+ T cells exist: T cell memory, T cell exhaustion, and T cell effector differentiation. I used two complementary approaches to examine CD8+ T cells at the different states in vivo. First, I used classical immunology techniques including knockout mice and cellular phenotypic analyses to examine the role of cell surface molecules PD-1 and CD39 on CD8+ T cells in the context of memory and exhaustion, respectively. Secondly, I developed a novel experimental platform that enables gene perturbation in naive CD8+ T cells in vivo during their differentiation. I used this approach to systematically interrogate the transcriptional programming of activated CD8+ T cells and to identify novel regulators of effector differentiation. In a proof of concept study, I used this system to further define how the transcription factor BATF regulates CD8+ T cell activation. Additionally, I used this experimental platform to systematically interrogate the functional role of a set of ~80 transcription factors in CD8+ T cell differentiation, and identified TGIF1 as a novel regulator of this process. The role of the co-inhibitory receptor PD-1 on CD8+ T was examined in mice using an acute respiratory infection model. PD-1 is a co-inhibitory receptor that is up-regulated on T cells following activation and recruits SHP1/2 phosphatases to directly antagonize signals through the TCR and this way inhibit the activation of T cells. It is down-regulated following the resolution of an acute infection but remains persistently expressed on CD8+ T cells in chronic infections and cancer. As such, PD-1 has been exhaustively studied for its contribution to the functional exhaustion of T cells. However, its role in acute infections remains less defined. We found that this receptor prevents over-activation and over-expansion of CD8+ T cells following initial differentiation, and is crucial for optimal differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells into functional memory cells. Exhausted CD8+ T cells express several markers distinctive of the state. Some, like PD-1, Tim-3, and Lag-3 are well known. However, genome-wide transcriptional studies identified numerous additional genes that are differentially expressed in the exhausted state. Thus, we hypothesized that additional markers may provide characteristic features of the exhausted cell state and may function in chronic infections. We investigated one such gene – ENTPD1 – that encodes for CD39. This cell surface molecule is an ectonucleotidase that hydrolyzes extracellular ATP into ADP and AMP, which can be further broken down to immunosuppressive adenosine by CD73. In the context of the immune system, CD39 has largely been studied on CD4+ regulatory T cells, which use CD39 as a mechanism to suppress immune responses. However, surprisingly, we found that CD8+ T cells can also express CD39, but its expression is largely restricted to terminally exhausted CD8+ T cells. These cells are most dysfunctional as measured by the most limited proliferative capacity and ability to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have observed this biology in both human and mouse chronic viral infections. Additional studies further demonstrated the importance of CD39 and the purinergic pathway in regulating lethal immunopathology associated with chronic LCMV infection in mice. In addition to interrogating memory and exhaustion fates of CD8+ T cells, we also examined the initial regulatory programs involved in CD8+ T cell differentiation in vivo through gene silencing. Gene perturbation in naive T cells without prior cellular stimulation has been a continuous challenge in the field. To circumvent this limitation, we engineered a novel experimental platform that enables inducible gene knock-down in any immune cell in mice in vivo without prior manipulation of these cells. Initially, I validated this system by knocking down BATF and confirmed its essential role in CD8+ T cell responses to acute LCMV infection. Additionally, leveraging the inducible nature of the platform, I showed that BATF functions in the early stages of T cell activation but becomes dispensable once its transcriptional program is initiated. Several other transcription factors such as T-bet, Eomes, Bcl6, and Blimp-1 have been described to regulate CD8+ T cell differentiation. However, numerous additional transcription factors may function in this process based on their rapid up-regulation following T cell activation. I used the novel platform to systematically test the functional relevance of ~80 additional transcription factors in a pooled setting. These experiments identified several novel candidate regulators of this process. We validated one such gene – Tgif1 – to confirm its role in the effector CD8+ T cell differentiation following acute LCMV infection and provide clues to the potential mechanism in which it may function. The above projects have benefited significantly from genome-wide transcriptional datasets of cells at various states or of different genotypes that we generated or that originate from published studies. One particularly powerful approach to examine differences between different groups is gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) that examines coordinate up- or down-regulation of sets of genes rather than assessing differential expression of specific genes. This is particularly important because changes in biological processes are often guided by relative small changes of groups of genes that act in concert rather than by a robust expression change of a single gene. This approach, however, is only informative if a relevant gene-set collection is used to analyze the data. Existing collections are largely centered around cancer biology and general biological processes but no extensive gene-set collection existed that contained information describing immune processes. Thus, we created ImmuneSigDB – the largest collection of immunology-focused gene sets to date by identifying, annotating, and reanalyzing ~400 published immunology studies. To show its broad use, we used it to examine the cross-species conservation of transcriptional responses in the immune system. We focused on analyzing transcriptional data from systemic responses to sepsis using GSEA and a novel approach, called leading edge metagene analysis. Using these approaches, we uncovered shared and species-specific biology in mouse and human transcriptional responses to sepsis. Deciphering CD8+ T cell biology is key for conceptualizing new medical interventions that may boost their activation, memory development, and rejuvenation from functional exhaustion. We have determined that PD-1 is essential for optimal CD8+ T cell memory responses, and that BATF is a key transcription factor initiating effector T cell transcriptional programming. We also identified CD39 as a new marker of terminally exhausted CD8+ T cells and uncovered a key role for purinergic signaling in regulating lethal immunopathology in LCMV Clone 13 infection in mice. Furthermore, we developed a new experimental platform that enables systematic interrogation of gene function in any hematopoietic cell type by inducible knock-down of genes and identified TGIF1 as a novel negative regulator of CD8+ T cell responses. We have also developed a new computational resource to improve analyses of transcriptional profiles in the immune system. Together, the body of work presented in this thesis advances our knowledge of major states of CD8+ T cell biology, uncovering both novel mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell function, as well as highlighting potential novel therapeutic targets that may be transformative in creating better vaccines, treating infections, or fighting cancer.
Medical Sciences

Els anellovirus són un grup de virus de cadena senzilla d’ADN amb una elevada diversitat genètica i que infecten a vertebrats. Els Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) son ubics i és l’espècie d’anellovirus específica que infecta els porcs. S’han descrit 3 espècies víriques diferents, anomenades TTSuV1a i TTSuV1b dins del gènere Iotatorquevirus i TTSuVk2a, dins el gènere Kappatorquevirus. Aquests virus son genèticament molt diferents (>56% de diversitat de seqüencia nucleotídica) però comparteixen la mateixa organització del genoma i estratègia d’expressió. L ‘infecció de TTSuV en porcs es caracteritza per una virèmia persistent. Els TTSuVs no es consideren patogènics, però es creu que juguen un paper en la co-infecció amb altres agents infecciosos que causen malalties porcines importants. L'impacte real dels TTSuVs sobre la salut dels porcs, si n’hi ha , segueix sent objecte de debat. L'objectiu principal d'aquesta Tesi fou caracteritzar la variabilitat de TTSuV i explorar el desenvolupament de possibles prototipus vacunals enfront els TTSuVs. El primer estudi descriu la caracterització genètica d'una nova espècie de TTSuV, anomenada Torque teno sus virus k2b (TTSuVk2b). Segons l'anàlisi filogenètica, aquest nou virus pertany al gènere Kappatorquevirus, el mateix al qual pertany TTSuVk2a. Es van desenvolupar tècniques quantitatives de PCR basades en la tecnologia de SybrGreen pels estudis epidemiològics i per l’estudi de la distribució geogràfica. En concret, es va desenvolupar una tècnica que quantificava la càrrega total de TTSuV (TTSuV broad-spectrum qPCR) i tres més que quantificaven la càrrega viral específica de cada espècie de TTSuV. D'altra banda, es va estudiar la prevalença i la càrrega d'ADN vírica en animals afectats amb per circovirosi porcina (CP). L'estudi epidemiològic va revelar que TTSuVk2b es distribueix a tot el món, encara que és menys abundant que TTSuV1 i TTSuVK2a. TTSuVk2b es va associar amb la CP, una malaltia porcina d'importància econòmica molt significativa. El segon estudi contenia dos objectius: d'una banda, l'expressió de les proteïnes TTSuVs; per l'altra banda, l’avaluació de l'impacte d’una vacuna experimental multivalent enfront les 4 espècies de TTSuVs conegudes, utilitzant com a model l’infecció natural de TTSuV en porcs. Les proteïnes recombinants ORF1, ORF1-A, ORF2 i ORF3 dels quatre TTSuVs coneguts es van expressar amb èxit mitjançant un sistema d'expressió de baculovirus. Per altra part, la vacuna experimental multivalent (formada per les proteïnes dels gens ORF1 i ORF3) va ser administrada per via intramuscular i intradèrmica utilitzant dos esquemes de vacunació diferents (dues o tres dosis). La seroconversió i els títols vírics en sang es van mesurar a partir de 3 fins a 15 setmanes d'edat, utilitzant respectivament l'ELISA indirecte basat en proteïnes del virus expressades en baculovirus i tècniques de PCR quantitativa per detectar i quantificar els nivells de virèmia de cada espècie TTSuV, respectivament. Aquest estudi va mostrar que la vacuna multivalent induïa anticossos anti-TTSuV, però aquest prototipus vacunal no era capaç de controlar la virèmia durant l’infecció natural de TTSuV. Finalment, en el tercer estudi es va avaluar l’immunització enfront TTSuVk2a durant l’infecció natural en porcs. L’immunització va consistir en una combinació d'ADN i proteïnes víriques per augmentar les possibilitats d'activació de respostes immunitàries tant cel·lulars com humorals. Es van utilitzar tècniques de PCR quantitativa per detectar i quantificar els nivells de virèmia de cada espècie de TTSuV, mentre que l’inducció d'anticossos específics va ser monitoritzada mitjançant ELISA indirecte. El grup vacunat va mostrar una seroconversió i una reducció significativa de les càrregues víriques de TTSuVk2a en comparació amb el grup control. Aquest estudi va demostrar per primera vegada que la virèmia per TTSuV pot ser controlada a través de l’ús d’una combinació que inclou ADN i proteïnes recombinant. En general, aquesta Tesi Doctoral contribueix a augmentar el coneixement dels TTSuVs mitjançant la descripció d’una nova espècie vírica, la qual pot estar associada al desenvolupament de malalties del porc, com s’ha indicat per TTSuVk2a. A més, l’infecció per TTSuV pot ser controlada mitjançant l'administració d'una vacuna d'ADN i proteïnes recombinats del virus, mentre que la vacuna basada en múltiples proteïnes (multivalent) no va ser eficient.
Anelloviruses are a highly diverse group of circular single-stranded DNA viruses infecting vertebrates. Torque teno sus viruses (TTSuV) are ubiquitous pig-infecting anelloviruses. Three different viral species have been described, namely TTSuV1a and 1b within the genus Iotatorquevirus and TTSuVk2a, within the genus Kappatorquevirus. These viruses are genetically very distinct (>56% sequence diversity) but share similar genome organization and expression strategy. TTSuV infection in pigs is distributed worldwide, and is characterized by a persistent viremia. TTSuV themselves are considered non-pathogenic; however, it is believed that these viruses play a role in co-infection with other economically important viral porcine infections. Apparently, TTSuV infection can influence the development or may contribute to the pathogenesis of various porcine diseases during co-infection. The real impact of TTSuV on the pig health, if any, is still under debate. The present Thesis aimed to characterize a novel TTSuV species and to explore possible ways of vaccination against TTSuVs. The first study describes the discovery, genetic characterization and epidemiology of a novel TTSuV species, named Torque teno sus virus k2b (TTSuVk2b). According to phylogenetic analysis, this new virus belongs to the Kappatorquevirus genus, belonging to the same genus as TTSuVk2a. Quantitative PCR techniques based on SybrGreen technology were developed; one for quantification of total TTSuV load (TTSuV broad-spectrum qPCR) and others for quantification of each TTSuV species separately. These techniques were used for epidemiological studies and assess the geographical distribution. Moreover, prevalence and viral DNA load were determined in porcine circovirus type 2-systemic disease (PCV2-SD)-affected animals and healthy counterparts, since previous studies have associated another kappatorquevirus species, to the disease. The epidemiological study revealed that TTSuVk2b is worldwide distributed, although less abundant and displaying lower viral DNA titres in serum than TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a. TTSuVk2b was associated with PCV2-systemic disease (PCV2-SD), which revealed that the two kappatorquevirus species are both genetically and biologically related. The second study contained two objectives. On one hand, TTSuV proteins were expressed in a baculovirus-based platform; on the other hand, the impact of a multivalent experimental vaccine was evaluated in a natural TTSuV infection model of pigs. The ORF1, ORF1-A, ORF2 and ORF3 recombinant proteins of all four known TTSuVs were successfully expressed in a baculovirus expression system. In additional, the multivalent experimental vaccine containing ORF1 and ORF3 proteins was administered by intramuscular and intradermal routes using two different vaccination schedules (twice or three times). Seroconversion and viral titres in blood were measured from 3 weeks until 15 weeks of age, using the indirect ELISA based on baculoviruses proteins and species-specific qPCRs, respectively. This study showed that vaccination induced anti-TTSuV antibodies; however the multivalent vaccine was not able to control viremia during TTSuV natural infection. Finally, in the third study, the immunization against TTSuVk2a during natural infection was evaluated using a different approach. The immunizations consisted of a combination of DNA and protein to increase the possibilities of activating both cellular and humoral immune responses. Quantitative PCR techniques were used to detect and quantify the viremia levels of each TTSuV species, while the induction of specific antibodies was monitored by indirect ELISA. The vaccinated group showed a seroconversion and a significant reduction of the TTSuVk2a viral loads compared to the control group. This study demonstrated for the first time that TTSuV viremia can be controlled by a combined DNA and protein immunization. Overall, the present Thesis contributes to increase the knowledge on TTSuV by means of describing a novel species, which may be involved in disease progression in co-infection with other pig pathogens. Moreover, TTSuV infection can be controlled by the administration of a combined DNA/protein immunization while a multivalent protein based vaccine was not efficient.

Em uma unidade produtora de matrizes pesadas, localizada no Estado de São Paulo, foram colhidas duas amostras de conteúdo intestinal de aves com duas semanas de idade, quatro amostras de fezes da cama do mesmo lote às 18 semanas e uma amostra da cama às 30 semanas para pesquisa de coronavirus por uma técnica de nested RT-PCR dirigida a um segmento do gene codificador da RNA–polimerase RNA-dependente (gene pol). Destas, foram positivas 6 amostras correspondentes às duas aves de duas semanas, 3 às aves com 18 semanas e 1 às aves com 30 semanas. A análise filogenética da seqüência do c-DNA correspondente a uma das amostras das aves de duas semanas agrupou este vírus entre os coronavirus do grupo 2. Quando inoculado pelas vias ocular e oral em aves White Leghorn SPF, evidenciou-se diarréia moderada, despigmentação e atraso no crescimento. Os exames anátomo e histopatológicos dos órgãos colhidos revelaram predominantemente enterite e atrofia de vilosidades no reto e duodeno, com infiltração de células mononucleares e exposição de lâmina própria. Aves sentinela SPF alocadas entre os grupos inoculados apresentaram os mesmos sinais clínicos e achados anátomo e histopatógicos. O coronavírus inoculado foi evidenciado em todos os grupos experimentais em intestino delgado, reto, pâncreas e pulmão, assim como em conteúdo entérico. Seqüenciamento e analise filogenética foram realizados com uma amostra positiva por PCR em cada um dos grupos experimentais, confirmando a identidade entres os vírus recuperados e o vírus inoculado e a proximidade deste vírus com os coronavirus do grupo 2, considerando-se o fragmento estudado. Estes resultados demonstram que o coronavirus encontrado, causa doença entérica nas aves, com tropismo predominante por reto e intestino delgado, transmitindo-se horizontalmente de modo eficiente poucas horas após a inoculação e que o segmento do gene pol estudado aproxima este vírus dos coronavirus do grupo 2.
In a broiler breeder farm located at São Paulo State two samples of intestinal contents of 2-week old birds, four fecal samples of the floor from the same flock at 18 weeks of age and one at 30 weeks of age were surveyed to coronavirus by a nested RT-PCR assay targeted to the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase gene (pol gene). Six out of these samples were positive, two of which from the 2-week old birds, 3 from the 18-week old birds and 1 from the 30-week old birds. Phylogenetic analysis of the c-DNA sequence from one positive sample of a 2-week old bird showed that the virus clustered among group 2 coronaviruses. Oral and ocular inoculation of White Leghorn SPF birds with this coronavirus led to mild diarrhea, depigmentation and growth delay. Gross and histopatological examinations of collected tissues showed enteritis and atrophy of the villi on the small gut and rectum with mononuclear cells infiltration and exposition of the lamina propria. SPF sentinel birds placed between inoculated groups showed the same clinical signs and gross and histological findings. The inoculated coronavirus was evidenced in all experimental groups in the small gut, rectum, pancreas and lungs and also in intestinal contents. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was carried out with one positive sample per group, confirming the identity between the recovered viruses and the close relationship between this virus and group 2 coronaviruses taking into account the studied fragment. These results show that the coronavirus here found causes enteric disease in birds, with a predominant tropism by the rectum and the small gut, being horizontally transmitted in a few hours and that the pol gene studied segment bring this virus close to group 2 coronaviruses.

The aim of this thesis was to further our knowledge about the contribution of silent alleles on megabase chromosomes to the late stages of trypanosome infection and test the hypothesis that this contribution takes shape in a hierarchy of expression due to differences between alleles in terms both of flanking regions and coding sequence. This was achieved through a combination of bioinformatics and molecular studies. The initial approach was to undertake an extensive manual curation of the available VSG archive; this endeavour resulted in establishment of a fertile collaboration with the Trypanosoma brucei genome sequencing project, and in creation, with the aid of P. Ward and S. Menon, of a dedicated web-based tool to handle and query curated VSG genes. Out of an updated estimate of ~1600 VSG genes, 940 (between half and three quarters) were annotated and shown to be arranged in subtelomeric arrays and to be largely present as pseudogenes (~90%). By considering separately the hypervariable N-terminal domain (three types, A, B and C) and the more conserved C-terminal domain (types 1 to 4, with two additional types identified in this study), it appeared that most of the degeneracy lay in the C-terminal domain. This suggested that N-terminal domains (one third of them being intact) would be utilised by a process of segmental gene conversion yielding hybrid genes, by recombination with functional C-terminal ends resident at the expression site. Under the assumption that “order” within the genome (the presence of patterns within the VSG archive) helps inform “order” in VSG expression (a hierarchy based on different activation probabilities), it was somewhat surprising to detect little evidence of clear substructuring within the archive: no “classes” of VSGs could be identified, based on coding sequence and flanking sequence features. In keeping with the observed high level of divergence within the VSG archive, clear orthologue groups (here defined as alleles sharing >60% amino acid sequence identity) were found not to include more than three to four members and to be scattered at random across the arrays. Putative functional genes could not be separated into groups based on expected differences in activation probabilities, such as a different number of upstream 70-bp repeats, shown to be involved in copying silent alleles to the expression site.

Recent metagenomic studies have shown that there is a higher diversity of ssDNA viruses in the environment than previously thought. While some viral families are well characterised, novel ssDNA isolates discovered with sequence-independent molecular techniques are often too divergent to fit within the currently established viral taxonomy. Several factors have contributed to the gap in knowledge, including: the (previously) high cost of sequencing, the disproportionate amount of research that occurs after a threat is identified, and the use of sequence-based molecular techniques to isolate viral sequences. Recent studies have begun to explore viral diversity in the environment, however, most of these studies have occurred outside New Zealand. Several benefits would come from uncovering the true ssDNA viral diversity and global distribution including improving the resolution of the current taxonomic structure for identifying unknown isolates and inferring possible virus-host relationships, and providing baseline data for the development of disease prevention and monitoring strategies. Studies specific to the New Zealand environment are essential. With its geographical isolation and Gondwana ancestry, New Zealand will possess a unique viral sequence space. Studies on local viral diversity and the spread of ssDNA viruses are going to be most relevant if they are conducted within the established ecosystems in New Zealand. In this dissertation, a novel protocol was developed for exploring viral diversity in the New Zealand environment using basic molecular techniques and animal faecal samples. Design considerations included: identifying highly novel small circular viral sequences with DNA genomes without the use of specific primers, inflicting as little environmental impact as possible, and keeping the cost low. The faecal sampling approach does not require animal handling and therefore incorporates the use of viral reservoirs while remaining non-invasive. The molecular techniques in this protocol used non-specific rolling circle amplification (RCA) followed by restriction enzyme (RE) digests, cloning, and sequencing of the cloned genomes via sanger sequencing. This inexpensive exploratory method provided preliminary sequence information from which primers were designed for recovery of full viral genomes. The success of this protocol was demonstrated by the recovery and molecular characterisation of a novel ssDNA virus isolate from a pig faecal sample, which was tentatively named porcine stool-associated circular virus (PoSCV). This protocol was then applied to sample viruses in the faecal matter from variety of domesticated, wild, and farmed animals in New Zealand. The faecal samples were collected from the North and South Island of New Zealand as well as South East Island of the Chatham Islands (Rangatira). Several putative gemycircularviral isolates (novel viruses with similarities to geminiviruses and the recently discovered ssDNA virus infecting Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) were identified in the sequencing results based on BLASTx similarities to viral sequences available in public databases (GenBank). The full genomes of these isolates were recovered and characterised. Identification was based on genome organization, phylogenetic analysis of the replication associated protein (Rep), and full genome nucleotide pairwise identities. Fourteen novel ssDNA virus sequences relating to gemycircularviruses were discovered, of which ten were representative of new species (FaSCV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) and three were identified as strains of the same species (FasGCV-1). Two additional isolates were discovered to be distantly related to these viruses: Ostrich faecal associated ssDNA virus (OfaV) and Rabbit faecal associated ssDNA virus (RfaV). Additionally, this protocol was used to recover novel ssDNA viruses from the nesting material of a dead Yellow-crowned Parakeet chick found in the Poulter Valley in the South Island of New Zealand. The nesting material likely contained faecal matter and thus represented another approach strategy for exploring ssDNA viruses in the environment. Two novel ssDNA isolates were discovered and molecularly characterised: Cyanoramphus nest-associated circular X virus (CynNCXV), and Cyanoramphus nest-associated circular K virus CynNCKV.

The hepatitis G virus and GBV-C are recently discovered variants of the same virus belonging to the family Flavivirus (HGV/GBV-C). Although initially thought to be a hepatitis virus, it has been shown to have no association with liver disease. No work has been performed on the prevalence or molecular characteristics of HGV/GBV-C in southern Africa. In addition, although it is clear that the liver is not the primary site of replication, there is no data on the sites of HGV/GBV-C replication in normal subjects. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of HGV/GBV-C carriage in the urban and rural adult Black communities of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa, and compare it to the prevalence of serological markers of the hepatitis viruses A-E. In addition, this study aimed to assess the molecular features of South African HGV/GBV-C isolates and demonstrate the organs where viral replication was present. The mean prevalences of antibodies to hepatitis A lgG, hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen were 98%, 4.3% and 61.1 % respectively. The mean prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C was 1.8%. No significant differences in prevalence were shown between the urban and rural regions for these viruses. The mean anti-hepatitis E prevalence varied from 5.8% to 19.1 % in the different regions. Those living in mud houses without access to chlorinated tap water had a significantly higher prevalence of antihepatitis E. No anti-hepatitis D positive samples were isolated. The overall prevalence of HGV/GBV-C was 26.9%, with rural communities having a significantly lower prevalence than urban communities. A significant relationship was observed between HGV/GBV-C infection with the use of illicit drugs, female gender, younger age and past blood transfusions. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a novel fourth South African HGV/GBV-C genotype, distinct from the previously described genotypes 1-3. In addition, certain isolates showed a major deletion in the highly conserved 5' non-coding region of HGV/GBV-C. Analysis of 23 tissue biopsies from infected cadavers suggested that the spleen and bone marrow were the primary sites of HGV/GBVC replication.

Los receptores de la familia SLAM se encuentran expresados diferencialmente en la superficie de los leucocitos y juegan un papel importante en la inmunidad innata y adaptativa. En este trabajo se demuestra que el citomegalovirus (CMV) murino reduce específicamente la expresión de determinados miembros SLAM en la superficie de los macrófagos infectados. Mediante el escrutinio de un panel de mutantes de deleción del CMV murino se ha identificado m154 como el producto viral que modula la expresión del receptor SLAM CD48, el cual constituye el ligando de alta afinidad de CD244, una molécula involucrada en la regulación funcional de las células NK y T citotóxicas. Se muestra que m154 es una proteína tipo mucina, que se expresa con una cinética temprana y se localiza en la superficie de la célula infectada. La proteína viral actúa a través de un mecanismo que implica la degradación de CD48, siendo capaz de interferir con la respuesta citotóxica de las células NK desencadenada por la infección de los macrófagos por el CMV murino. Finalmente, demostramos en el modelo murino, que m154 le proporciona al virus protección in vivo frente al ataque de las células NK. Estos hallazgos contribuyen a un mejor entendimiento de la patogénesis del CMV y proveen un nuevo ejemplo de evasión de la inmunidad innata del huésped desarrollado por CMV.
The signalling lymphocyte-activation molecules (SLAM) family of receptors encompasses a number of proteins expressed on the surface of leukocytes that play critical roles in both innate and adaptive immunity upon engagement through homotypic or heterotypic interactions amongst them. In this study, we show that murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) drastically downregulates several SLAM receptors during the course of the infection of macrophages, in a manner dependent on viral gene expression. By screening a battery of MCMV deletion mutants, we have identified m154 as an immunoevasin that effectively reduces the cell surface expression of the SLAM family member CD48, a high affinity ligand for natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T cell receptor CD244. m154 is a mucin-like protein, expressed with early kinetics, that can be localized predominantly at the cell surface of the infected cell. During infection, m154 leads to proteolytic degradation of CD48, primarily via a proteasomal dependent mechanism. This viral protein interferes with the NK cell cytotoxicity triggered by MCMV infected macrophages. In addition, we demonstrate that mutant MCMVs lacking expression of m154 result in an attenuated phenotype in vivo which can be substantially restored after NK cell depletion of mice. Thus, we present here a novel tactic of cytomegalovirus to subvert detection by NK cells during acute infection, based on the modulation of a SLAM family member.

Os vírus Influenza A infectam um largo espectro de hospedeiros e causam epidemias anuais. São vírus com alta variabilidade genética e RNA segmentado, que podem sofrer rearranjos entre os genes de diferentes vírus. Em 2006, foram analisadas 521 amostras de crianças menores de 5 anos atendidas no HU-USP e 25 foram positivas para Influenza A, sendo H3N2 o mais prevalente (68%). Cinco genes de 18 amostras foram seqüenciados e obtivemos 13 sequencias de HA, 12 da NP, 12 de NA, 14 da M e 10 da NS. Verificou-se a presença de várias mutações, especialmente na HA e NA, que favoreceram a substituição da cepa vacinal naquele ano. Todas as amostras H3N2 apresentaram sítios de resistências aos inibidores da M2. Diferentes linhagens circularam no mesmo ano, tanto de H1 como de H3, favorecendo rearranjos entre elas. Foram verificados, também rearranjos envolvendo os genes da HA e NP, indicando o complexo mecanismo de evolução desses vírus e enfatizando a necessidade de monitoramento da circulação e caracterização de seus genes.
Influenza A virus infects a wide range of hosts and cause annual outbreaks. RNA segmented virus has high genetic variability and may have rearrangements between the genes of different viruses. In 2006, 521 samples of children younger than 5 years were analyzed and 25 tested positive for Influenza A virus, of which the subtype H3N2 is the most prevalent (68%). Five genes of 18 samples were sequenced and 13 sequences of HA, 12 of NP, 14 of M and 10 of NS obtained were. The presence of this several mutations, especially in the HA and NA genes probably helped the replacement of the vaccine strain in that year. All H3N2 subtype samples showed points of resistance to M2 inhibitors. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of different lineages in the same year, for both H1 and H3, and the presence of two rearrangements involving the HA and NP genes. These results indicate the influence of rearrangements in the evolution of the virus and emphasize the need for monitoring of circulation and characterization of genes.

Os Influenzavirus podem ser classificados de acordo com suas glicoproteínas externas hemaglutinina (HA) e neuraminidase (NA), ambas apresentando alta variabilidade genética e antigênica. No presente estudo foi realizada análise molecular do gene HA, do vírus influenza A (IA) em amostras colhidas de crianças e lactentes com sintomatologia respiratória atendidas no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), durante os anos de 1995 a 2006. Um total de 3.009 amostras foram analisadas por duplex RT-PCR e 4,38% (n=132) foram positivas, sendo 12,1% (n=16) Influenza B e 87,9% (n=116) IA, das quais 9% (n=9) eram H1N1, 91% (n=91) eram H3N2 e 13,8% (n=16) não foram subtipadas. A região HA1 do gene HA de 39 amostras foi sequenciada e as sequências comparadas com as cepas vacinais e circulantes dos respectivos anos. A região de ligação ao receptor foi conservada em todas as amostras e foram verificadas alterações de aminoácidos principalmente nos sítios antigênicos e arredores. No geral, as cepas vacinais foram compatíveis com as circulantes em São Paulo.
The Influenzavirus can be classified according to their external glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), both showing high genetic and antigenic variability. In the present study was carried out molecular analysis of the HA gene of influenza A (IA) in samples harvested from children and infants, with respiratory symptoms attended at University Hospital, University of Sao Paulo (USP), during the years 1995 to 2006. A total of 3,009 samples were analyzed by duplex RT-PCR and 4.38% (n = 132) were positive, being 12.1% (n = 16) Influenza B and 87.9% (n = 116) IA, where which 9% (n = 9) were H1N1 and 91% (n = 91) were H3N2 and 13.8% (n = 16) did not subtyped. The HA1 region of HA gene of 39 samples were sequenced and the sequences compared with vaccine strains and circulating strains in those years. The receptor-binding region was conserved in all samples and aminoacid changes were observed mainly in the antigenic sites and surroundings. Overall, the vaccine strains were consistent with those circulating in Sao Paulo.