[Taxonomic structure of Orthomyxoviridae: current views and immediate prospects].

Analysis of taxonomic structure of Orthomyxoviridae was undertaken in view of its anticipated evolution. Four concepts of circulation of influenza A viruses in the biosphere are discussed, viz. anthrponose, zooanthroponose, metastrongilose, and protozoan. All of them may be considered in the framework of the general zooantroponose concept. Influenza B and C viruses can not be regarded as strictly anthroponose. Comparative molecular-genetic analysis of the genus Thogotovirus provides a basis for the designation of Thogoto and Batken-Dhori as independent geni. It is speculated that t he proof of transmission of Isaviruses by copepods Caligus elongates and Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Crustacea: Copepoda) may open up a new line of developments in arborvirology since crustacean vectors of viruses have never been described before.

[Relationship of nuclear import of influenza virus nucleoprotein polymers to their conformational status].

It has been earlier shown that in the cells infected with influenza virus, the molecules of nucleoprotein (NP) are polymers that differ in their conformational maturity and stability. The present investigation has studied the ability of different conformational forms of NP polymers to migrate into the nucleus. Conformationally mature compact NP oligomers are shown to predominantly import into the nucleus. In contrast, unstable, loose, and conformationally immature NP multimers accumulate in the cytoplasm and do not migrate into the nucleus. The present investigation is the first evidence for that that the conformational maturity of influenza virus NPs is essential for their nuclear traffic and, hence, for participation in the transcription and replication of viral genomes.

[Native and renatured oligomer-dependent epitopes of intracellular influenza virus nucleocapsid protein].

Intracellular NP oligomers have been shown to react with some anti-NP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in radio-immnoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and dot immunoassay. Soluble NP monomers obtained after thermal dissociation of NP oligomers are not recognized by mAbs unlike the NP monomers whose concentration increased by about 100-fold due to transfer to the nitrocellulose membrane after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The findings demonstrated that in the intact NP oligomers there were epitopes determined by their quaternary structure. These oligomer-dependent epitopes may be renaturated in vitro under the conditions allowing for a concentration-dependent NP-NP association.

[Two types of NP-NP associations in influenza virus-infected cells].

Two types of NP-NP associations are shown to form in the influenza virus-infected cells. Early NP synthesis gives rise to NP associations stabilized by relatively weak bonds. These structures are designed as NP multimers. The high protease- and heat-sensitivities allow NP-multimers to be regarded as incompletely folded proteins. Post-translationally, NP-multimers transform to compact NP associations (NP oligomers) that are relatively highly heat-and protease-resistant. The NP-multimers untransformed to the folded compact NP-oligomers accumulate in the cells and partially degraded. Whether both types of NP-NP associations may be of significance is under discussion.

[Complex environmental and virological monitoring in the Primorye Territory in 2003-2006].

The paper presents the results of monitoring of viruses of Western Nile (WN), Japanese encephalitis (JE), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Geta, Influenza A, as well as avian paramicroviruses type I (virus of Newcastle disease (ND)) and type 6 (APMV-6) in the Primorye Territory in 2003-2006. Totally throughout the period, specific antibodies to the viruses were detected by neutralization test in wild birds (7.3%, WN; 8.0%, Geta; 0.7% Batai; 2.8%, Alpine hare (Lepus timidus); by hemagglutination-inhibition test in cattle (11.4% WN; 5.9%, JE; j 3.0%, TBE; 11.6%, Geta), horses (6.1, 6.8, 0, and 25.3%, respectively), and pigs (5.4, 1.5, 0, and 5.9%, respectively) by enzyme immunoassay (IgG) in human beings (0.8, 0.5, 6.8, and 3.2%, respectively. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to reveal RNA of the NP segment of influenza A virus in 57.9 and 65% of the cloacal swabs from wild and domestic birds, respectively; and the HA-segment of subtype HH was not detected in 2005. HA/H5 RNA was recorded in 5.5 and 6.7% of the swabs from wild and domestic birds, respectively; 6% of the specimens from domestic birds were M-segment positive in 2006. RNA of influenza A virus NA/H7 and RNA was not detected throughout the years. In 2004, the cloacal swabs 8 isolated influenza A strains: two H3N8 and two H4N8 strains from European teals (Anas crecca), two (H3N8 and H6N2) strains from Baikal teals (A. formosa), one (H10N4) strain from shovelers (A. clypeata), and one (H4N8) from garganeys (A. querquedula). In 2004, one ND virus strain was isolated from the cloacal swabs from European teals (A. crecca). RT-PCR revealed RNA of this virus in some 8 more cloacal swabs from black ducks (A. poecilorhyncha) (3 positive specimens), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) (n = 2), garganeys (A. querquedula) (n = 1), gadwalls (A. strepera) (n = 1), and geese (Anser anser domesticus) (n = 1). Sequencing of the 374-member fragment of the ND virus F gene, which included a proteolytic cleavage site, could assign two samples to the weakly pathogenetic variants of genotype 1, one sample to highly pathogenic variants of genotype 3a, five to highly pathogenic ones of genotype 5b. Isolation of APMV-6 (2003) from common egrets (Egretta alba) and geese (Ans. anser domesticus) is first described.

[Newcastle disease virus in the populations of wild birds in the south of the Primorye Territory in the period of autumn migrations in 2001-2004].

The paper presents the results of molecular virological monitoring of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by reverse-polymerase chain reaction (followed by sequence of F-gene fragment 374 p.n.) and chick embryo isolation of samples from the avian cloacal swabs collected in the south of the Primorye Territory in September-October 2001-2004. It shows that before 2004, there were only slightly pathogenic variants of NDV of genotype 1 in this region and in 2004 they were added by highly pathogenic variants of subtypes 3a and 5b. The impact of landscaping features of the south of the Primorye Territory on the environment of NDV is discussed.

[Temporary acquisition of intra-chain disulphide bonds by nucleocapsid protein of influenza virus].

The in vitro reducing agents were shown to promote the NP-NP association and to stabilize the NP oligomers, which dissociate when heated in non-reducing buffer. This confirms that non-covalent linkages in electrophoresis stabilize the influenza virus NP oligomers. The mobility of pulse-labeled and chased NPs in PAGE as well as their sensitivity to protease were investigated. The S-S bonds reduce at later stages of conformational maturation of NP; the disulfide-containing NP transforms itself into an NP free of S-S bonds with non-covalently linked NP-oligomers being subsequently formed. Presumably, the early disulfide-dependent stage in NP maturation is needed for the correct NP-NP association and for the protection of early monomeric NPs against protease action.

Transient disulfide bonds formation in conformational maturation of influenza virus nucleocapsid protein (NP).

It has been previously shown that influenza virus nucleocapsid protein (NP) forms homooligomers in vivo. Our analyses revealed that the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) introduced in pulse labeling period prevented further formation of native NP-oligomers. The shortly pulse-labeled non-reduced newly synthesized NP possessed a relatively faster mobility in non-reducing PAGE and a higher resistance to protease than the reduced one. These data suggest that there is an early disulfide-dependent step in NP maturation and that the newly synthesized NP possesses the intrachain disulfide bonds. In contrast to the newly synthesized NP, the non-reduced chased NP possessed the same mobility in non-reducing PAGE and the same sensitivity to protease as the reduced NP. DTT introduced in the chase period did not prevent NP-oligomers formation and did not destabilize already formed NP-oligomers. This suggests that the chased NP monomers and NP-oligomers do not contain intrachain nor interchain disulfide bonds. It was also shown that the non-reduced newly synthesized NP could not form NP-NP complexes in vitro, and acquired such ability only after reducing. The possibility is discussed that there are several stages in the maturation of NP: the initial formation of intrachain disulfide-linked NP and conversion into disulfide-free NP, which forms non-covalently stabilized NP-oligomers. Early intrachain disulfide bonds may be necessary for the prevention of early spontaneous NP-NP association.

Extracellular truncated influenza virus nucleoprotein.

In the culture medium of MDCK cells infected with influenza A/Duck/Ukraine/1/63(H3N8) virus two kinds of virus nucleoprotein (NP) are detected: full-length 56 kDa NP and truncated 53 kDa NP. However, in infected cells 53 kDa NP may be detected only at short pulse and after 10 min chase it becomes nondetectable. The extracellular truncated 53 kDa NP is detected in free RNP, and not in the virions. Both extracellular free 53 and 56 kDa NP in the virions are completely oligomerized. Several data argue against the possibility of extracellular 53 kDa NP formation being a result of extracellular 56 kDa NP proteolytic degradation. Thus, the accumulation of extracellular 53 kDa NP takes place only in the course of infection, and the amount of 53 kDa NP is not increased during prolonged storage of cell-free culture medium at +37 degrees C. Moreover, all extracellular 56 kDa NP of A/Duck/Ukraine/1/63 influenza virus is present in the oligomeric form, and the latter, in contrast to the mononeric form, is highly resistant to proteases. The possibility is discussed that in the course of A/Duck/Ukraine/1/63 (H3N8) influenza virus infection a fraction of the synthesized 56 kDa monomeric NP undergoes the proteolytic cleavage in the infected cells before oligomerization and forms the 53 kDa NP. This 53 kDa NP is then oligomerized, enters the RNP and is quickly secreted from the cells.

Investigation of human immunodeficiency virus fusion peptides. Analysis of interrelations between their structure and function.

The N-terminal region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 appears to be involved in virus-cell membrane fusion. To study the influence of fusion domain structure on gp41 interaction with artificial lipid membranes, two families of peptides were synthesized. The peptides of the first family starting from the C-terminal Gly-532 of gp160 (BRU isolate) were assembled in a stepwise manner to N-terminus of gp41(Ala-517). These hydrophobic peptides, containing 10-16 amino acid residues (a.a.), were able to form channel-like current fluctuation through planar lipid membranes, and the longest 15-16 a.a. peptides lysed the liposomes. Peptides of the second family beginning from the C-terminal Arg-538 and continuing to Val-510 contained several hydrophilic amino acid residues. These 15-22 a.a. peptides also increased the conductance of planar lipid bilayers and lysed liposomes. The degree of liposome lysis depended upon peptide length and concentration. The attachment of gp120 C-terminal amino acid or peptides to N-terminus of 517-538 peptide resulted in complete loss of activity. The effects of the second family of peptides on membranes were reduced to a great extent at acidic pH. The conjugation of 22 a.a. Lys peptide with bovine serum albumin decreased its lytic activity. The circular dichroism study of these peptides revealed alpha-helix configuration in hydrophobic and aqueous media only for deca- and longer peptides. The electron microscopy of 22 a.a. peptide performed in the aqueous medium showed large spherical aggregates about 0.5-0.7 micron in diameter consisting of long filaments approximately 5 nm in diameter. Other tested peptides could generate only short strings. Thus, the effects of fusion peptides on lipid membranes depends on their sequence and length, secondary and tertiary structures, and freedom of their N-terminus.

Avian and human influenza a virus strains possess different intracellular nucleoprotein oligomerization efficiency.

We have previously shown (Prokudina-Kantorovich EN and Semenova NP, Virology 223, 51-56, 1996) that the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus forms in infected cells oligomers which in the presence of SDS and 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) as reducing agent are stable at room temperature (RT) and dissociate at 100 degrees C. Here we report that the efficiency of intracellular NP oligomerization depends on the host origin of influenza A virus strain. Thus, in the cells infected with avian influenza A virus strains the viral NP was almost completely oligomerized and only traces of monomeric NP were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in unboiled samples. However, in the cells infected with human influenza A virus strains, besides oligomeric NP also a significant amount of non-oligomerized monomeric NP was detected in unboiled samples. In purified virions of avian and human strains the same difference in NP monomers/oligomers ratio was detected as in the infected cells. A reassortant having all internal protein genes from a human strain and the glycoprotein genes from an avian strain revealed the same intracellular pattern of NP monomers/oligomers ratio as its parental human virus. These findings suggest that the type of NP oligomerization is controlled by the NP gene. The possible connection between the accumulation of protease-sensitive monomeric NP in cells infected with a human influenza strain and the parallel accumulation of cleaved NP in these cells is discussed.

[Complete oligomerization of the nucleoprotein and various strains of influenza virus]. / Polnaia oligomerizatsiia nukleoproteina u nekotorykh shtammov virusa grippa.

Previously we demonstrated that in the course of intracellular reproduction of WSN influenza virus strain, part of monomeric nucleoprotein (NP) undergo polymerization into dimers and trimers, which dissociate into monomers after boiling. Further studies showed that different strains of influenza virus are characterized by different degree of NP-oligomerization. Specifically, Duck/ Ukraine/63 (H3N8) and Seal Massacuhsets 1/80 (H7N7) NP monomers are completely transformed into oligomers. As a result of 40-min chase and of prolonged label exposure only NP-oligomers but not monomers can be detected in unboiled samples of infected cells or in virions. NP monomers of A/Duck/Ukraine strain are detectable in unboiled samples only after a short period of labeling. Influenza virus NP oligomers are more hydrophobic than NP monomers. Oligomers are hypothesized to be the native functionally important form of influenza virus NP.

[Polymeric forms of the influenza virus nucleoprotein]. / Polimernye formy nukleoproteina virusa grippa.

Two high-molecular-weight types of in vivo formed nucleoproteins (NP) capable of reacting with anti-NP monoclonal antibodies were detected in continuous MDCK cells and primary CEFs, along with the monomeric virus NP. High-molecular NP were stable at 37 degrees C, despite the presence of dodecyl sulfate and B-mercaptoethanol, but were converted to monomeric NP at 37 degrees C in the presence of 6 M urea, 1 M NaCl, and at acid pH. Hence, high-molecular-weight NP may be the polymeric forms of NP, which are probably stabilized by noncovalent bonds. The kinetics of NP-polymers formation suggests that NP-monomers are their precursors and NP-polymers are formed rapidly after monomeric NP molecules synthesis. Both forms of NP-polymers are detected in the sedimented and soluble fractions of not only cell lysate, but in the extracellular maintenance medium as well. NP-polymers are resistant to RNAse and are more resistant to protease than NP-monomers.

[Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the structural characteristics of the envelope of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus]. / Izuchenie strukturnykh kharakteristik obolochki virusa venesuél'skogo éntsefalomielita loshadei metodom élektronnogo paramagnitnogo rezonansa.

The method of electron paramagnetic resonance and spin labels was used to study the structural characteristics of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus envelope and cell membranes of chick embryo fibroblasts. The virus envelope lipids form a bilayer structural typical of biological membranes. The lipid bilayer of virions is more rigid than the cytoplasmic membrane of chick embryo fibroblasts. Investigation of interaction of a small hydrophilic molecule with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus particles showed free water to be absent in the virions. A structural translation was detected at 25 degrees-30 degrees C in the virion membrane. The role of membrane structures in virus reproduction is discussed.

[Formation of two types of a proteolytically cleaved nucleoprotein in cells, infected by influenza virus]. / Formirovanie dvukh tipov proteoliticheski rasshcheplennogo nukleoproteina v kletkakh, zarazhennykh virusom grippa.

Two types of proteolytically cleaved influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) are formed in cells infected with influenza virus. One, cell membrane-associated cleaved NP (C-NP), is heterogeneous in size and during analysis in PAGE is localized in the 53 kDa and less zone. Its formation depends on the species appurtenance of the infective virus and occurs only in viruses with a low efficacy of NP oligomerization. C-NP is incapable of intracellular oligomerization. The other type of cleaved NP, extracellular free (F-NP), is most likely a secreted product of intracellular proteolysis of 56 kDa NP. Its molecular weight is about 53 kDa. Its formation does not depend on the species of infective influenza virus and it is capable of intracellular oligomerization.

[Role of certain factors in intracellular oligomerization of influenza virus nucleoproteins]. / Rol' nekotorykh faktorov v protsesse vnutrikletochnoi oligomerizatsii nukleoproteina virusa grippa.

Oligomerization of influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) depends on the virus strain. NP monomers of viruses A/Duck/Ukraine/63 (H3N8) and A/Seal/Massachusets/1/80/ (H7N7) are oligomerized completely. The A/USSR/90/77 virus (H1N1) NP is characterized by just partial oligomerization, similarly as a reassortant containing surface protein genes of virus A/Duck/Ukraine and internal protein genes of A/USSR/90 virus. Hence, it is probable that NP gene controls the type of NP oligomerization. NP oligomerization is shown to depend on the temperature, the optimal t = 37 degrees C, but not on the type of cells or intracellular concentration of total NP. NP oligomers forming in vivo are believed to differ from NP oligomers formed in vitro described previously.

[Differences in oligomerization of nucleocapsid protein of epidemic human influenza A(H1N1), A(H1N2) and B viruses]. / Razlichiia v oligomerizatsii nukleokapsidnogo belka épidemicheskikh virusov grippa cheloveka A(H1N1), A(H3N2) i B.

A comparative analysis of involving the nucleocapsid protein (NP) into shaping-up of SDS-resistant oligomers was carried out presently in circulating epidemic strains of human influenza, viruses A and B. The study results of viral isolates obtained from clinical samples and recent standard strains revealed that the involvement of NP in the SDS-resistant oligomers, which are different in various subtypes of influenza A viruses. According to this sign, the human viruses A(9H3N2) are close to the avian ones, in which, as proved by us previously, virtually the entire NP transforms itself into the oligomers resistant to SDS. About 10-20% of NP are involved in shaping-up the virus influenza A(H1N1) of SDS-resistant oligomers. No SDS-resistant NP-oligomers were detected in influenza of type B. It is suggested that the prevalence of human viruses A(H3N2) in NP-oligomers are the peculiarities of NP structure and of the presence of the PB1 protein from avian influenza virus.

[The formation of the influenza virus aggregates, enriched with hemagglutinin]. / Obrazovanie agregatov virusa grippa, obogashchennykh gemaggliutininom.

The formation of electrostatic aggregates was studied by analysis of two types of virus-containing liquids: initial warm liquid collected at temperature 37 degrees and the same liquid stored over the night at temperature 4 degrees C. The formation of virus aggregates was revealed at 4 degrees C. The aggregates formed at temperature 4 degrees C had a relatively high HA/NP ratio in comparison with unassociated virus analyzed at 37 degrees. HA-enriched aggregates were found in the precipitate formed under short-term high-speed centrifugation as well as in "heavy arm" of the virus profile in the saccharose gradient. Aggregates formed at 4 degrees C dissociated at 37 degrees. The ability to form aggregates is reversible and correlates with the virus concentration. It is shown also that virus containing liquid contains heterogenic structures with molecular weight under 2000 kD having HA involved in the forming aggregates enriching HA. Possible nature of low-molecular HA-containing structures involved in the aggregates and nature of relations stabilizing aggregates are discussed.

[Extracellular immunoreactive nucleoprotein of Influenza virus not related to the virion]. / Vnekletochnyi immunoreaktivnyi nukleoprotein virusa grippa, ne sviazannyi s virionami.

Extracellular immunoreactive virus NP is accumulated in virus-containing fluid in the course of A/Duck/Ukraine/1/63(H3N8) influenza virus infection. The major part of this extracellular NP is included in viral RNP and characterized by relatively low molecular weight: 53 kD vs. 56 kD of virion NP. Extracellular immunoreactive NP is oligomerized. Presumably, there is partially intracellular cleavage of NP with loss of hydrophobic determinants. Such truncated NP in RNP is highly hydrophilic and passes through cell membranes. These data prompt the diagnosis of influenza infection by detection of free immunoreactive NP in analyzed fluids.

[Dependence of oligomerization of influenza virus nucleoprotein on the species affiliation of the virus]. / Zavisimost' oligomerizatsii nukleoproteina virusa grippa ot vidovoi prinadlezhnosti virusa.

Comparison of human and avian influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) oligomerization showed that the efficiency of NP oligomerization is different in influenza viruses of different origin. NP oligomerization is virtually complete in avian influenza viruses, while in human influenza viruses only part of monomeric NP is oligomerized. The authors discuss the utilization of NP oligomerization efficiency as a sign for identification of the origin of influenza virus.