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Nucleotide sequence identifies Vilyuisk virus as a divergent Theiler's virus
A E Pritchard1, T Strom, H L Lipton
1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
Virology
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Vilyuisk virus, linked to Siberian neurological disease, is the most divergent Theiler
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Vilyuisk virus was initially associated with a degenerative neurological disease in Siberian populations.
- Theiler's virus and encephalomyocarditis virus serve as comparative models for viral neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the Vilyuisk virus through sequence analysis of its 5' noncoding and coat protein coding regions.
- To determine the genetic relatedness of Vilyuisk virus to other known Theiler's virus strains.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of the 5' noncoding, leader, and VP4 regions of Vilyuisk virus.
- Comparative sequence analysis of the VP1-encoding region against Theiler's virus and encephalomyocarditis virus.
- Utilizing crystal structure data of Theiler's virus to map sequence variations.
Main Results:
- Vilyuisk virus shares approximately 90% nucleotide identity with known Theiler's virus strains in the 5' noncoding, leader, and VP4 regions.
- VP1-encoding region similarity drops to 66% compared to Theiler's virus, and 50% compared to encephalomyocarditis virus.
- Sequence heterogeneities in Vilyuisk virus primarily occur at exposed surface residues, indicating significant divergence.
Conclusions:
- Vilyuisk virus represents the most divergent strain within the Theiler's virus group.
- A tissue culture-adapted isolate of Vilyuisk virus demonstrated low neurovirulence in CD-1 mice.