The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus

Background Many human strains of influenza A virus produce highly pleomorphic virus particles that at the extremes can be approximated as either spheres of around 100 nm diameter or filaments of similar cross-section but elongated to lengths of many microns. The role filamentous virions play in the...

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Main Authors: Elton, Debra, Bruce, Emily A., Bryant, Neil, Wise, Helen M., MacRae, Shona, Rash, Adam, Smith, Nikki, Turnbull, Matthew L., Medcalf, Liz, Daly, Janet M., Digard, Paul
Format: Article
Published: Wiley 2013
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Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/29217/
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author Elton, Debra
Bruce, Emily A.
Bryant, Neil
Wise, Helen M.
MacRae, Shona
Rash, Adam
Smith, Nikki
Turnbull, Matthew L.
Medcalf, Liz
Daly, Janet M.
Digard, Paul
author_facet Elton, Debra
Bruce, Emily A.
Bryant, Neil
Wise, Helen M.
MacRae, Shona
Rash, Adam
Smith, Nikki
Turnbull, Matthew L.
Medcalf, Liz
Daly, Janet M.
Digard, Paul
author_sort Elton, Debra
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Background Many human strains of influenza A virus produce highly pleomorphic virus particles that at the extremes can be approximated as either spheres of around 100 nm diameter or filaments of similar cross-section but elongated to lengths of many microns. The role filamentous virions play in the virus life cycle remains enigmatic. Objectives/Methods Here, we set out to define the morphology and genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus, using reverse genetics and microscopy of infected cells. Results and Conclusions The majority of H3N8 strains tested were found to produce filamentous virions, as did the prototype H7N7 A/eq/Prague/56 strain. The exception was the prototype H3N8 isolate, A/eq/Miami/63. Reassortment of equine influenza virus M genes from filamentous and non-filamentous strains into the non-filamentous human virus A/PR/8/34 confirmed that segment 7 is a major determinant of particle shape. Sequence analysis identified three M1 amino acid polymorphisms plausibly associated with determining virion morphology, and the introduction of these changes into viruses confirmed the importance of two: S85N and N231D. However, while either change alone affected filament production, the greatest effect was seen when the polymorphisms were introduced in conjunction. Thus, influenza A viruses from equine hosts also produce filamentous virions, and the major genetic determinants are set by the M1 protein. However, the precise sequence determinants are different to those previously identified in human or porcine viruses.
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spelling nottingham-292172020-05-04T16:39:50Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/29217/ The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus Elton, Debra Bruce, Emily A. Bryant, Neil Wise, Helen M. MacRae, Shona Rash, Adam Smith, Nikki Turnbull, Matthew L. Medcalf, Liz Daly, Janet M. Digard, Paul Background Many human strains of influenza A virus produce highly pleomorphic virus particles that at the extremes can be approximated as either spheres of around 100 nm diameter or filaments of similar cross-section but elongated to lengths of many microns. The role filamentous virions play in the virus life cycle remains enigmatic. Objectives/Methods Here, we set out to define the morphology and genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus, using reverse genetics and microscopy of infected cells. Results and Conclusions The majority of H3N8 strains tested were found to produce filamentous virions, as did the prototype H7N7 A/eq/Prague/56 strain. The exception was the prototype H3N8 isolate, A/eq/Miami/63. Reassortment of equine influenza virus M genes from filamentous and non-filamentous strains into the non-filamentous human virus A/PR/8/34 confirmed that segment 7 is a major determinant of particle shape. Sequence analysis identified three M1 amino acid polymorphisms plausibly associated with determining virion morphology, and the introduction of these changes into viruses confirmed the importance of two: S85N and N231D. However, while either change alone affected filament production, the greatest effect was seen when the polymorphisms were introduced in conjunction. Thus, influenza A viruses from equine hosts also produce filamentous virions, and the major genetic determinants are set by the M1 protein. However, the precise sequence determinants are different to those previously identified in human or porcine viruses. Wiley 2013-11-14 Article PeerReviewed Elton, Debra, Bruce, Emily A., Bryant, Neil, Wise, Helen M., MacRae, Shona, Rash, Adam, Smith, Nikki, Turnbull, Matthew L., Medcalf, Liz, Daly, Janet M. and Digard, Paul (2013) The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 7 (s4). pp. 81-89. ISSN 1750-2640 Budding Filamentous Influenza Matrix http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irv.12197/abstract doi:10.1111/irv.12197 doi:10.1111/irv.12197
spellingShingle Budding
Filamentous
Influenza
Matrix
Elton, Debra
Bruce, Emily A.
Bryant, Neil
Wise, Helen M.
MacRae, Shona
Rash, Adam
Smith, Nikki
Turnbull, Matthew L.
Medcalf, Liz
Daly, Janet M.
Digard, Paul
The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title_full The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title_fullStr The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title_full_unstemmed The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title_short The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus
title_sort genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza a virus
topic Budding
Filamentous
Influenza
Matrix
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/29217/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/29217/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/29217/