Summary
Comparative analysis of structural virion polypeptides of 24 selected EEE virus strains, representing North and South American types, was performed by one-dimensional discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The structural proteins of different EEE virus isolates, resolved by this method, exhibited mol.wts. values in the range of 57–60 × 103 for (E-1), 51–54 × 103 for (E-2) and 35–38 × 103 daltons for the core (NP) nucleocapsid. The exception was the South American human lethal virus, TRVL-89287 strain, which was shown to possess only a single envelope glycoprotein. The high molecular weight envelope (E-1) glycoprotein species was absent or co-migrated adjacent to the smaller envelope (E-2) glycoprotein. Results indicated similarities in the core (NP) proteins, however greater variability in the envelope (E-1 and/or E-2) glycoproteins. Based on these variations seven distinct profiles could be observed among the EEE virus strain studied. The classification based on the patterns of structural polypeptides obtained by SDS-PAGE of these strains does not correlate well with any other previously reportedin vitro characteristics (antigenic subtypes, HTP elution profiles) nor with thein vivo virulence markers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burge, B. W., Huang, A. S.: Comparison of membrane protein glycopeptides of Sindbis virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. J. Virol.6, 176–182 (1970).
Casals, J.: Arboviruses: incorporation in a general system of virus classification. In:Maramorosch, K., Kirstak, E. (eds.), Comparative Virology, 307. New York: Academic Press 1971.
Casals, J.: Antigenic variants of eastern equine encephalitis virus. J. exp. Med.119, 547–565 (1964).
Dalrymple, J. M., Vogel, S. N., Teramoto, A. Y., Russell, P. K.: Antigenic components of group A arbovirus virions. J. Virol.12, 1034–1042 (1973).
Goldblum, N.: Molecular biology of togaviruses: relationship between structure, composition and immunologic function. Isr. J. Med. Sci.12, 267 (1976). (Abstract.)
Heine, J. W., Spear, P. G., Roizman, B.: Proteins specified by herpes simplex virus. VI. Viral proteins in the plasma membrane. J. Virol.9, 431–439 (1972).
Keller, J. M., Spear, P. G., Roizman, B.: The proteins specified by herpes simplex virus. III. Viruses differing in their effects on the social behaviours of infected cells specify different membrane glycoproteins. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.65, 865–871 (1970).
Maizel, J. V., Jr.: Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids. In:Habel, K., Salzman, N. P. (eds.), Fundamental Techniques in Virology, 334–362. New York: Academic Press 1969.
McCarthy, M., Harrison, S. C.: Glycosidase susceptibility: a probe for the distribution of glycoprotein oligosaccharides in Sindbis virus. J. Virol.23, 61–73 (1977).
Pedersen, C. E., Jr., Marker, S. C., Eddy, G. A.: Comparative electrophoretic studies on the structural proteins of selected group A arboviruses. Virology60, 312–314 (1974).
Pedersen, C. E., Jr., Eddy, G. A.: Comparative analyses of members of the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus complex. Amer. J. Epidemiol.101, 245–252 (1975).
Roizman, B.: Herpes viruses, membranes and the social behaviours of infected cells, 37–72. Proc. 3rd Int. Symp. Appl. Med. Virol., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Louis, Mo.: Warren Green Publishers 1970.
Schlesinger, M. J., Schlesinger, S., Burge, B. W.: Identification of a second glycoprotein in Sindbis virus. Virology47, 539–541 (1972).
Shapiro, A. L., Vinuela, E., Maizel, J. V., Jr.: Molecular weight estimation of polypeptide chains by electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.28, 815–820 (1967).
von Bonsdorff, C. H., Harrison, S. C.: Sindbis virus glycoproteins form a regular icosahedral surface lattice. J. Virol.16, 141–145 (1975).
Wadell, G.: Classification of human adenoviruses by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of structural polypeptides. Intervirology11, 47–57 (1979).
Walder, R., Suarez, O. M.: Studies of arboviruses in southwestern Venezuela: I. Isolation of Venezuelan and eastern equine encephalitis viruses from sentinel hamster in the Catatumbo region. Int. J. Epidemiol.5, 375–384 (1975).
Walder, R., Bradish, C. J.: Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEEV). Strain differentiation and specification of virulence markers. J. gen. Virol.26, 265–275 (1975).
Walder, R., Bradish, C. J.: Multifactorial specification of virus host interaction: studies with strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus in mice. J. gen. Virol.44, 373–382 (1979).
Walder, R., Jahrling, P. B., Eddy, G. A.: Differentiation markers of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) viruses and virulence. Zbl. Bact. Microbiol. Hyg. Suppl.9, 237–250 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
With 1 Figure
The views of the authors do not purport to reflect the positions of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Walder, R., Rosato, R.R. & Eddy, G.A. Virion polypeptide heterogeneity among virulent and avirulent strains of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. Archives of Virology 68, 229–237 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314576
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314576