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Mayaro virus proteins
1Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Abstract:
Mayaro virus was grown in BHK-21 cells and purified by centrifugation in a potassium-tartrate gradient (5-50%). The electron microscopy analyses of the purified virus showed an homogeneous population of enveloped particles with 69 +/- 2.3 nm in diameter. Three structural virus proteins were identified and designated p1, p2 and p3. Their average molecular weight were p1, 54 KDa; p2, 50 KDa and p3, 34 KDa. In Mayaro virus infected Aedes albopictus cells and in BHK-21 infected cells we detected six viral proteins, in which three of them are the structural virus proteins and the other three were products from processing of precursors of viral proteins, whose molecular weights are 62 KDa, 64 KDa and 110 KDa. The 34 KDa protein was the first viral protein synthesized at 5 hours post-infection in both cell lines studied.
Insights
Mayaro virus structural proteins were identified and characterized. The 34 KDa protein was the first Mayaro virus protein synthesized in infected cells.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mayaro virus is an arbovirus of the Alphavirus genus, responsible for Mayaro fever.
- Understanding the structural proteins of Mayaro virus is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the structural proteins of Mayaro virus.
- To identify viral protein synthesis kinetics in infected cells.
Main Methods:
- Mayaro virus propagation in BHK-21 cells.
- Purification of Mayaro virus using potassium tartrate density gradient centrifugation.
- Electron microscopy for viral particle size determination.
- Identification and molecular weight determination of viral proteins using SDS-PAGE (implied).
Main Results:
- Purified Mayaro virus particles are enveloped, with an average diameter of 69 +/- 2.3 nm.
- Three major structural proteins (p1, p2, p3) with molecular weights of 54 KDa, 50 KDa, and 34 KDa were identified.
- Six viral proteins were detected in infected cells, including structural proteins and three precursor processing products (62 KDa, 64 KDa, 110 KDa).
- The 34 KDa protein (p3) was the earliest detected viral protein, synthesized at 5 hours post-infection in both BHK-21 and Aedes albopictus cells.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the structural protein composition of Mayaro virus.
- The 34 KDa protein is identified as an early-synthesized viral component, potentially significant for viral replication.
- These findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of Mayaro virus biology.