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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Human Metapneumovirus Induces Formation Of Inclusion Bodies For Efficient Genome Replication And Transcription, Nicolás P. Cifuentes-Muñoz, Jean Branttie, Kerri Beth Slaughter, Rebecca Ellis Dutch Dec 2017

Human Metapneumovirus Induces Formation Of Inclusion Bodies For Efficient Genome Replication And Transcription, Nicolás P. Cifuentes-Muñoz, Jean Branttie, Kerri Beth Slaughter, Rebecca Ellis Dutch

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes significant upper and lower respiratory disease in all age groups worldwide. The virus possesses a negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 13.3 kb encapsidated by multiple copies of the nucleoprotein (N), giving rise to helical nucleocapsids. In addition, copies of the phosphoprotein (P) and the large RNA polymerase (L) decorate the viral nucleocapsids. After viral attachment, endocytosis, and fusion mediated by the viral glycoproteins, HMPV nucleocapsids are released into the cell cytoplasm. To visualize the subsequent steps of genome transcription and replication, a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol was established to detect different viral RNA …


Mutations In The Transmembrane Domain And Cytoplasmic Tail Of Hendra Virus Fusion Protein Disrupt Virus-Like-Particle Assembly, Nicolás P. Cifuentes-Muñoz, Weina Sun, Greeshma Ray, Phuong Tieu Schmitt, Stacy Webb, Kathleen Gibson, Rebecca Ellis Dutch, Anthony P. Schmitt Jul 2017

Mutations In The Transmembrane Domain And Cytoplasmic Tail Of Hendra Virus Fusion Protein Disrupt Virus-Like-Particle Assembly, Nicolás P. Cifuentes-Muñoz, Weina Sun, Greeshma Ray, Phuong Tieu Schmitt, Stacy Webb, Kathleen Gibson, Rebecca Ellis Dutch, Anthony P. Schmitt

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Hendra virus (HeV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes deadly illness in horses and humans. An intriguing feature of HeV is the utilization of endosomal protease for activation of the viral fusion protein (F). Here we investigated how endosomal F trafficking affects HeV assembly. We found that the HeV matrix (M) and F proteins each induced particle release when they were expressed alone but that their coexpression led to coordinated assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs) that were morphologically and physically distinct from M-only or F-only VLPs. Mutations to the F protein transmembrane domain or cytoplasmic tail that disrupted endocytic trafficking …


Inhibition Of Human Metapneumovirus Binding To Heparan Sulfate Blocks Infection In Human Lung Cells And Airway Tissues, Edita M. Klimyte, Stacy E. Smith, Pasqua Oreste, David Lembo, Rebecca Ellis Dutch Oct 2016

Inhibition Of Human Metapneumovirus Binding To Heparan Sulfate Blocks Infection In Human Lung Cells And Airway Tissues, Edita M. Klimyte, Stacy E. Smith, Pasqua Oreste, David Lembo, Rebecca Ellis Dutch

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a recently discovered paramyxovirus, infects nearly 100% of the world population and causes severe respiratory disease in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. We previously showed that HMPV binds heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and that HMPV binding requires only the viral fusion (F) protein. To characterize the features of this interaction critical for HMPV binding and the role of this interaction in infection in relevant models, we utilized sulfated polysaccharides, heparan sulfate mimetics, and occluding compounds. Iota-carrageenan demonstrated potent anti-HMPV activity by inhibiting binding to lung cells mediated by the F protein. Furthermore, analysis of a minilibrary …