Related Experiment Videos
Sequence variation in the Newcastle disease virus genome
Jacqueline A Kattenbelt1, Matthew P Stevens, Allan R Gould
1CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, P.O. Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. j.kattenbelt@uq.edu.au
Virus Research
|January 25, 2006
Summary
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) genome sequencing revealed variable HN, M, and P genes. Despite variants with altered F genes, field isolates showed limited genome variation, suggesting a consensus sequence restriction.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a significant avian pathogen.
- Understanding NDV genetic variability is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare full-length genome sequences of virulent and avirulent NDV strains.
- To investigate sequence variability in different NDV genes.
- To analyze NDV variants during outbreaks and assess genome variation in field isolates.
Main Methods:
- Full-length genome sequencing of ten NDV strains (five virulent, five avirulent).
- Comparative sequence analysis of coding regions for HN, M, P, F, N, and L genes.
- Sequence analysis of additional isolates from recent NDV outbreaks.
- Quasispecies analysis of field isolates.
Main Results:
- HN, M, and P genes exhibited higher coding sequence variability than F, N, and L genes.
- Variants with altered F gene cleavage sites, impacting biological properties, were identified in recent outbreak isolates.
- Quasispecies analysis detected virulent virus in one field isolate.
- Progenitor virus (1998) showed minimal sequence variation compared to a progenitor-like virus (2001).
Conclusions:
- Viral genome sequence variation in the field appears biologically restricted to a consensus sequence.
- Specific gene variability (HN, M, P) and alterations in the F gene cleavage site are important factors in NDV evolution and pathogenicity.