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Morphological heterogeneity in relation to structural and functional properties of mumps virus
Abstract:
The morphological heterogeneity of the chick embryo-adampted Enders strain of mumps virus was examined in relation to biological and biochemical properties of the virus. The range of virion sizes increased as multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) increased, with virions of 800 to 1000 nm in diam. occurring in preparations grown at the higher multiplicities. There was no evidence for a distinct class of noninfectious haemagglutinating particles. Dense fractions from isopycnic gradients of virus were enriched in larger virions, but virus RNA was predominantly a single 50S species. Despite evidence that many virions were multiploid, u.v. inactivation kinetics were single-hit, suggesting only a single biologically active genome per virion.
Insights
Mumps virus (Enders strain) shows size variations with infection levels. Larger virions do not indicate noninfectious particles, and each virus particle contains a single active genome.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mumps virus, an important human pathogen, exhibits significant morphological heterogeneity.
- Understanding the relationship between mumps virus morphology and its biological/biochemical properties is crucial for antiviral research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological heterogeneity of the chick embryo-adapted Enders strain of mumps virus.
- To correlate observed morphological variations with the virus's biological and biochemical characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Examination of mumps virus morphology using electron microscopy.
- Analysis of virion size distribution at varying multiplicities of infection (m.o.i.).
- Isopycnic gradient centrifugation to separate virus particles.
- Assessment of viral RNA content and ultraviolet (u.v.) inactivation kinetics.
Main Results:
- Virion size increased with higher multiplicities of infection, with some reaching 800-1000 nm in diameter.
- No distinct population of noninfectious, haemagglutinating particles was identified.
- Larger virions were concentrated in dense fractions from isopycnic gradients.
- Viral RNA was primarily a single 50S species, and u.v. inactivation followed single-hit kinetics, indicating a single active genome per virion despite potential multiploidy.
Conclusions:
- Mumps virus morphological heterogeneity is influenced by multiplicity of infection.
- Increased virion size does not correlate with noninfectious particles.
- Despite morphological variations and potential multiploidy, each mumps virion contains a single infectious genome.