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Vaccinia virus encodes a secretory polypeptide structurally related to complement control proteins
1Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Nature
|September 8, 1988
Summary
Vaccinia virus infection secretes two polypeptides. One mimics epidermal growth factor, stimulating cell proliferation. The second, more abundant polypeptide, inhibits the complement system, impacting inflammatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Vaccinia virus, a poxvirus, secretes polypeptides during infection.
- One known secreted polypeptide mimics epidermal growth factor (EGF) and promotes cell proliferation.
- The role of other vaccinia virus-secreted proteins in host-pathogen interactions remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a second abundant secretory polypeptide encoded by vaccinia virus.
- To determine the structural and functional relationship of this polypeptide to known protein families.
- To investigate its potential role in modulating host immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of polypeptides secreted by vaccinia virus-infected cells.
- Protein sequencing and structural homology searches.
- Functional assays to assess interaction with the complement system.
Main Results:
- A second, abundant secretory polypeptide encoded by vaccinia virus was identified.
- This polypeptide is structurally related to the complement control protein superfamily.
- The identified polypeptide has the potential to inhibit complement-mediated inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- Vaccinia virus encodes a secreted protein that targets the complement system.
- This viral protein may play a role in immune evasion by blocking complement activation.
- Understanding these viral mechanisms is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.