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Mutational analysis of the envelope gene of Moloney murine leukemia virus

K D Gray1, M J Roth

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway 08854-5635.

Journal of Virology
|June 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Moloney murine leukemia virus env gene mutations were studied to understand viral entry. Researchers identified key regions in the surface (SU) and transmembrane (TM) proteins essential for viral stability and cell binding.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) env gene encodes surface (SU) and transmembrane (TM) proteins crucial for viral binding and entry into host cells.
  • Understanding the structure-function relationships of these env proteins is vital for comprehending retroviral infection mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional importance of different regions within the MMLV env gene by creating linker insertion mutations.
  • To identify specific domains within the SU and TM proteins critical for viral viability, stability, and host cell interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Construction and characterization of 33 linker insertion mutations across the MMLV env gene, with 20 in SU and 13 in TM.
  • Assessment of viral viability through transient transfection and reverse transcriptase release assays.
  • Analysis of env gene products in viable virus-producing cell lines.

Main Results:

  • Eleven viable MMLV mutants were isolated (9 SU, 2 TM), with three exhibiting temperature-sensitive phenotypes.
  • Four viable SU mutants were localized to the carboxy terminus of the SU protein.
  • Identified two regions in SU critical for SU/TM heteropolymer stability and one region for env protein interaction with the viral core.

Conclusions:

  • Specific regions within the MMLV SU protein are essential for the stability of the SU/TM complex and interaction with the viral core.
  • Mutational analysis provides insights into the functional domains of MMLV env proteins required for viral entry and infectivity.

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