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Canine distemper virus matrix protein influences particle infectivity, particle composition, and envelope

Erik Dietzel1, Danielle E Anderson, Alexandre Castan

  • 1Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.

Journal of Virology
|May 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The matrix (M) protein of canine distemper virus (CDV) influences viral particle infectivity and spread. Vaccine strain M protein in wild-type CDV attenuates the virus, highlighting its role in pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The matrix (M) protein is crucial for paramyxovirus assembly and egress.
  • Measles virus (MeV) M protein variations affect viral properties and spread.
  • The role of canine distemper virus (CDV) M protein in replication and pathogenesis is uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the contribution of the CDV M protein to viral replication and pathogenesis.
  • To characterize the impact of a vaccine strain M protein on a wild-type CDV.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of a recombinant wild-type CDV with a vaccine strain M protein.
  • Phenotypic analysis of the recombinant virus in cell culture (VerodogSLAMtag cells).
  • Assessment of viral particle infectivity, envelope protein incorporation, and release polarity.
  • Evaluation of viral attenuation and pathogenicity in a ferret model.

Main Results:

  • The recombinant virus exhibited a parental growth phenotype but increased particle-to-infectivity ratio, similar to the vaccine strain.
  • Inefficient H protein incorporation was observed, potentially explaining the altered infectivity.
  • Envelope protein distribution in polarized cells showed a bipolar pattern, characteristic of vaccine strains.
  • The chimeric virus was significantly attenuated in ferrets, causing only mild, transient leukopenia.

Conclusions:

  • CDV M protein differences between vaccine and wild-type strains significantly impact viral particle infectivity and envelope protein sorting.
  • These M protein-mediated alterations contribute substantially to the attenuation of CDV vaccine strains.
  • Understanding M protein function is critical for CDV vaccine development and pathogenesis research.

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