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Evidence for a mouse pathogenicity locus in certain temperature-sensitive mutants of foot-and-mouth disease virus
Infection and Immunity
|June 1, 1977
Abstract:
Serial tissue culture passaging of three foot-and-mouth disease temperature-sensitive mutants demonstrated the stability of their temperature sensitivity and mouse avirulence characteristics. Recovery of mouse-virulent temperature-sensitive viruses after passage of the mutants in mice suggested that these were not covariant expressions of the same locus, but were under the control of different genes.
Insights
Foot-and-mouth disease virus mutants remained stable in cell culture. Virulent viruses recovered from mice indicated that temperature sensitivity and mouse avirulence are controlled by different genes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a significant pathogen affecting livestock.
- Temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants are valuable tools for studying viral genetics and attenuation.
- Understanding the genetic basis of viral virulence and host adaptation is crucial for vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the genetic stability of FMDV temperature-sensitive mutants.
- To investigate the relationship between temperature sensitivity and mouse avirulence in FMDV.
- To determine if these traits are genetically linked or independently controlled.
Main Methods:
- Serial passaging of three FMDV ts mutants in tissue culture.
- Inoculation of FMDV ts mutants into mice to assess virulence.
- Recovery and characterization of viruses from infected mice.
Main Results:
- FMDV ts mutants maintained stable temperature sensitivity and avirulence characteristics after extensive tissue culture passaging.
- Mouse-virulent FMDV strains were recovered from mice infected with ts mutants.
- The recovery of virulent viruses suggests that temperature sensitivity and mouse avirulence are controlled by distinct genetic loci.
Conclusions:
- The genetic stability of FMDV ts mutants was confirmed under laboratory conditions.
- Temperature sensitivity and mouse avirulence in FMDV are likely regulated by different genes.
- These findings have implications for the genetic engineering of FMDV for vaccine purposes and understanding viral evolution.