Absence of evidence for bornavirus infection in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

In 1983, reports of antibodies in subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) to an as-yet uncharacterized infectious agent associated with meningoencephalitis in horses and sheep led to molecular cloning of the genome of a novel, negative-stranded neurotropic virus, Borna disease virus (BDV). This advance has enabled the development of new diagnostic assays, including in situ hybridization, PCR and serology based on recombinant proteins. Since these assays were first implemented in 1990, more than 80 studies have reported an association between BDV and a wide range of human illnesses that include MDD, bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SZ), anxiety disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia and glioblastoma multiforme. However, to date there has been no blinded case-control study of the epidemiology of BDV infection. Here, in a United States-based, multi-center, yoked case-control study with standardized methods for clinical assessment and blinded serological and molecular analysis, we report the absence of association of psychiatric illness with antibodies to BDV or with BDV nucleic acids in serially collected serum and white blood cell samples from 396 subjects, a study population comprised of 198 matched pairs of patients and healthy controls (52 SZ/control pairs, 66 BD/control pairs and 80 MDD/control pairs). Our results argue strongly against a role for BDV in the pathogenesis of these psychiatric disorders.

One gene, two transcripts: isolation of an alternative transcript encoding for the autoantigen La/SS-B from a cDNA library of a patient with primary Sjögrens' syndrome.

A cDNA library was prepared from peripheral blood lymphocytes of an autoimmune patient with primary Sjögrens' syndrome. The cDNA library was screened with the patients own autoimmune serum being monospecific for the nuclear autoantigen La/SS-B. Thereby an alternative type of La mRNA was identified that differed from the known La mRNA due to an exchange of the exon 1. Sequencing of the genomic region between the exons 1 and 2 showed that the alternative 5'-end is a part of the intron. In addition, the presence of an alternative promoter site, which exists within the intron downstream of the exon 1, became evident. In consequence, the alternative La mRNA is the result of a promoter switching combined with an alternative splicing mechanism. In the intron, further transcription factor binding sites, including a NF-kappa B element, were identified leading to the suggestion that the expression of the gene encoding for the nuclear autoantigen La/SS-B alters in dependence on disease conditions.

Nucleotide-binding characteristics of human guanylate-binding protein 1 (hGBP1) and identification of the third GTP-binding motif.

hGBP1 is a GTPase with antiviral activity encoded by an interferon- activated human gene. Specific binding of hGBP1 to guanine nucleotides has been established although only two classical GTP-binding motifs were found in its primary sequence. The unique position of hGBP1 amongst known GTPases is further demonstrated by the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP and GMP. Although subsequent cleavage of orthophosphates rather than pyrophosphate was demonstrated, GDP coming from bulk solution cannot serve as a substrate. The relation of guanine nucleotide binding and hydrolysis to the antiviral function of hGBP1 is unknown. Here we show similar binding affinities for all three guanine nucleotides and the ability of both products, GDP and GMP, to compete with GTP binding. Fluorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry were applied to prove that only one nucleotide binding site is present in hGBP1. Furthermore, we identified the third canonical GTP-binding motif and verified its role in nucleotide recognition by mutational analysis. The high guanine nucleotide dissociation rates measured by stopped-flow kinetics are responsible for the weak affinities to hGBP1 when compared to other GTPases like Ras or Galpha. By means of fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy it is demonstrated that aluminium fluoride forms a complex with hGBP1 only in the GDP state, presumably mimicking the transition state of GTP hydrolysis. Tentatively, the involvement of a GAP domain in hGBP1 in GTP hydrolysis is suggested. These results will serve as a basis for the determination of the differential biological functions of the three nucleotide states and for the elucidation of the unique mechanism of nucleotide hydrolysis catalysed by hGBP1.

Prenylation of an interferon-gamma-induced GTP-binding protein: the human guanylate binding protein, huGBP1.

Interferons (IFN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) cause multiple changes in isoprenoid-modified proteins in murine macrophages, the most dramatic being the expression of a prenyl protein of 65 kDa. The guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are IFN-inducible GTP-binding proteins of approximately 65 kDa that possess a CaaX motif at their C-terminus, indicating that they might be substrates for prenyltransferases. The human GBP1 protein, when expressed in transfected COS-1 cells, incorporates radioactivity from the isoprenoid precursor [3H]mevalonate. In addition, huGBPs expressed from the endogenous genes in IFN-gamma-treated human fibroblasts or monocytic cells were also found to be isoprenoid modified. IFN-gamma-induced huGBPs in HL-60 cells were not labeled by the specific C20 isoprenoid, [3H]geranylgeraniol, but did show decreased isoprenoid incorporation in cells treated with the farnesyl transferase inhibitor BZA-5B, indicating that huGBPs in HL-60 cells are probably modified by a C15 farnesyl rather than the more common C20 lipid. Differentiated HL-60 cells treated with IFN-gamma/LPS showed no change in the profile of constitutive isoprenylated proteins and the IFN-gamma/LPS-induced huGBPs remained prenylated. Despite being prenylated, huGBP1 in COS cells and endogenous huGBPs in HL-60 cells were primarily (approximately 85%) cytosolic. Human GBPs are thus among the select group of prenyl proteins whose synthesis is tightly regulated by a cytokine. HuGBP1 is an abundant protein whose prenylation may be vulnerable to farnesyl transferase inhibitors that are designed to prevent farnesylation of Ras proteins.

Isolation of rat cDNA clones coding for the autoantigen SS-B/La: detection of species-specific variations.

Clones of cDNA coding for the autoantigen La (or SS-B) were isolated from a library made from rat liver. A comparison of the rat La cDNA (encoding from nt 38 to 1281 for rat La protein) with the sequences known for human and bovine La protein resulted in the identification of species-specific inserts. The inserts seem to be the result of multiplication of flanking sequences during evolution. In addition to these variations, we observed that rat La cDNAs exhibit non-canonical polyadenylation sites. Finally, a databank search resulted in the identification of a DNA sequence originally termed as TAG or TSG20X (GenBank accession No. X61893) which represents the C terminus of mouse La/SS-B protein.

Binding of mRNA by an oligopeptide containing an evolutionarily conserved sequence from RNA binding proteins.

Several proteins with an affinity to RNA contain a conserved sequence of 8 amino acids which is postulated as being important for RNA binding. An oligopeptide of 11 amino acids containing this sequence is shown to bind 32P-labelled globin mRNA in a filter binding assay. High concentrations of heparin compete for this binding. 10 other peptides with different sequences do not exhibit affinity to RNA in this assay. These results support the relevance of the conserved peptide sequence in the binding of proteins to RNA.

GTPase properties of the interferon-induced human guanylate-binding protein 2.

Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) were originally described as proteins that are strongly induced by interferons and are capable of binding to agarose-immobilized guanine nucleotides. hGBP1, the first of two members of this protein family in humans, was recently shown to represent a novel type of GTPase that hydrolyzes GTP predominantly to GMP. We now report that purified recombinant hGBP2 also hydrolyzes GTP very efficiently, although GDP rather than GMP was the major reaction product. The biochemical parameters of this reaction were as follows: Km = 313 microM, turnover number = 22 min-1. Both hGBP1 and hGBP2 failed to hydrolyze GDP, however, GDP was an effective inhibitor of the hGBP2- but not the hGBP1-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis reaction. Thus, hGBP1 and hGBP2 have similar biochemical properties, but show pronounced differences in product specificity.

Borna disease virus infection in psychiatric patients: are we on the right track?

Animals infected with Borna disease virus (BDV) typically present with neurological dysfunction including behavioural abnormalities. Seroepidemiological surveys suggested that BDV infection can occur in human beings and is associated with mental disorders. Partly contradictory results from studies employing RT-PCR and serological screening led to debate over whether BDV can infect people at all. Critical evaluation of available data led to doubts about the diagnostic value of RT-PCR-based test results. A more consistent picture has emerged from serological studies because seropositive cases were found more frequently among psychiatric patients than among normal controls, supporting the notion that BDV might indeed be responsible for some psychiatric disorders. This view is now challenged by the observation that human BDV-reactive antibodies are of low avidity and might therefore represent cross-reacting antibodies. It remains to be shown whether these antibodies are indeed induced by BDV or by related antigens of unknown identity.

Contribution of a 12 kDa protein to the angiotensin II-induced stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA: interaction with the 3' untranslated mRNA.

Several authors have shown that angiotensin II stimulates hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. In previous studies we have demonstrated that this effect of angiotensin II depends mainly on a transient inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and is the consequence of a stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA. In the present study we describe the isolation of a polysomal 12 kDa protein which, in band shift and cross link assays, shows a specific affinity to the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of angiotensinogen mRNA and prevents enzymatic degradation of angiotensinogen mRNA in a cell-free incubation system. [32P]UTP-labelled or unlabelled 3' fragments of angiotensinogen mRNA were synthesized on a transcription vector (pGEM5zf+) into which the corresponding DNA sequence was cloned after restriction from vector pRAG 16. Binding of the 12 kDa protein to the radioactively labelled 3' UTR of angiotensinogen mRNA could be displaced by unlabelled 3' UTR mRNA fragments but not by a renin mRNA of comparable length derived from the coding region. The RNA-binding protein appears to be derived from a higher molecular mass precursor (45 kDa) which is preferentially present under reducing conditions in vitro; the active low molecular mass form is evident in the absence of reducing agents. In a cross link experiment we established that a band shift signal which was obtained in the presence of the 45 kDa protein preparation exclusively depends on RNA binding of the active 12 kDa protein. In addition, a phosphorylation step may be involved in the activation of the 12 kDa protein, since its molecular mass and isoelectric point correlate with proteins which were phosphorylated in response to transient decreases of cAMP (induced by guanfacine or angiotensin II) or in response to a direct inhibition of protein kinase A by the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMP. The importance of phosphorylation reactions for the stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA was further assessed in a cell-free incubation system of rat liver parenchymal cells. These studies demonstrated that in the presence of acid phosphatase (1 U/ml) the half-life of angiotensinogen was significantly decreased. In the same incubation system the 12 kDa protein increased the half-life of endogenous as well as of exogenous angiotensinogen mRNA three- to fourfold, while no stabilizing effect was apparent when exogenous angiotensinogen mRNA from which the 3' tail had been deleted was added.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Genome trimming by Borna disease viruses: viral replication control or escape from cellular surveillance?

Persistence of RNA viruses is frequently associated with non-uniform terminal nucleotide deletions at both ends of the viral genome, which are believed to restrict viral replication and transcription during persistent infection. Borna disease virus (BDV), a negative strand RNA virus with no recognizable acute phase, quickly establishes persistence. We recently demonstrated that the vast majority of BDV genomes and antigenomes possess uniformly trimmed 5' termini, even if the virus is recovered from complementary DNA encoding a hypothetical full-length viral genome. Here we discuss different mechanisms which might lead to the selective 5'-terminal trimming of the BDV genome and subsequent retrieval of the lost genetic information. We further discuss possible benefits of genome trimming in the light of recent findings that terminal RNA structures are recognized by intracellular sensors which trigger innate immunity. We hypothesize that 5'-terminal genome trimming might represent a smart strategy of BDV to evade the antiviral host response.

The interferon-induced 67-kDa guanylate-binding protein (hGBP1) is a GTPase that converts GTP to GMP.

hGBP1 is an interferon-induced 67-kDa protein of human cells that readily binds to agarose-immobilized GTP, GDP, and GMP but not to other nucleotides. We cloned hGBP1 cDNA into a histidine-tagging vector, produced recombinant hGBP1 with 6 extra histidine residues at its N terminus in Escherichia coli, and purified this protein to near homogeneity from bacterial lysates. Purified hGBP1 hydrolyzed radiolabeled GTP but failed to hydrolyze ATP, UTP, or CTP at significant rates. Unexpectedly, the principal product of the GTP hydrolysis reaction was GMP rather than GDP. Although significant amounts of GDP were produced when the reaction was performed at 15 degrees C, GDP could not serve as substrate or as inhibitor of hGBP1. hGBP1 lacked guanylate cyclase and guanylyltransferase activity. Degradation of GTP to GMP most likely occurred via two consecutive cleavages of single phosphate groups, because pyrophosphate was not a reaction product, and because hGBP1 failed to hydrolyze GTP gamma S. In vitro modification assays with radiolabeled mevalonic acid and farnesyl pyrophosphate showed that the CaaX motif at the C terminus of hGBP1 functions as an isoprenylation signal. Thus, hGBP1 is a GTPase with novel biochemical properties that may be membrane-associated in eukaryotic cells.

Implication of a cis-acting element in the cytoplasmic accumulation of unspliced Borna disease virus RNAs.

Borna disease virus (BDV), the prototype of a new family within the order Mononegavirales, is unusual in its nuclear localization for replication and transcription and use of RNA splicing for gene expression. The BDV antigenome contains three transcription units and six major open reading frames. Multicistronic RNAs containing two introns are elaborated from the third transcription unit. Differential splicing of the two introns and cytoplasmic accumulation of the unspliced and partially spliced RNA are critical for the balanced expression of the putative matrix protein, glycoprotein, and polymerase. To investigate the mechanisms for cytoplasmic expression of unspliced and partially spliced BDV transcripts, the levels of these transcripts were measured in the cytoplasm of infected COS-7 cells and noninfected COS-7 cells transfected with plasmids containing 2.8-kb cDNA inserts representing either wild-type or mutant BDV RNA from the third transcription unit. Analysis of truncation mutations allowed the identification of a cis-acting element present within the 3' end of the BDV 2.8-kb transcript that facilitated the cytoplasmic accumulation of unspliced BDV transcripts through nucleocytoplasmic transport. The nucleocytoplasmic transport activity was not dependent on the presence of BDV proteins. Gel-shift assays revealed that the cis-acting element binds specifically to host cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins.

Characterization of the major nuclear localization signal of the Borna disease virus phosphoprotein.

Borna disease virus (BDV) replicates and transcribes its negative-sense RNA genome in the nucleus. The BDV phosphoprotein (P) is localized in the nucleus of infected cells and cells transfected with P expression constructs. To identify the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of P, COS-7 cells were transfected with wild-type or mutant forms of P fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Whereas GFP alone was exclusively cytoplasmic, P or P-GFP were nuclear. Analysis of carboxy- and amino-terminal truncation mutants of P indicated that amino acids (aa) 20-37 are sufficient to promote efficient nuclear accumulation of the fusion protein. Residual nuclear import of GFP was observed with portions of P including aa 33-134 or aa 134-201, suggesting the presence of additional NLS motifs. The major NLS of P appears to be bipartite. It consists of two basic aa domains, R22RER25 and R30PRKIPR36, separated by four non-basic aa, S26GSP29.

Sequence similarities between human bornavirus isolates and laboratory strains question human origin.

Human bornavirus RW98, whose genome differs by 3-4% from previous isolates, is almost identical to a rat-adapted laboratory strain. Other human bornaviruses are also strongly related to virus strains frequently used for experiments in the various laboratories reporting human bornavirus, questioning a human origin of isolates known to date.

Binding of globin mRNA, beta-globin mRNA segments and RNA homopolymers by immobilized protein of polysomal globin messenger ribonucleoprotein.

The binding of rabbit globin mRNA, in-vitro-generated beta-globin mRNA segments, and RNA homopolymers by proteins of rabbit reticulocyte polysomal messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNP) after SDS gel electrophoresis and electroblotting was examined. The polysomal mRNP proteins have a higher affinity for mRNA than for rRNA and tRNA while having a higher affinity for polypurine than polypyrimidine homopolymers. Binding experiments with synthetic poly(A) and with segments of beta-globin mRNA transcribed from a cDNA in vitro revealed a set of polysomal mRNP proteins which preferentially bind the poly(A)-free beta-globin mRNA. A protein of Mr 90,000 binds specifically the 3'-nontranslated trailer of the poly(A)-free beta-globin mRNA and not the poly(A)-containing globin mRNA. Another set of proteins preferentially binds poly(A). The latter group of proteins contains a prominent species of Mr 72,000, which is most likely the rabbit poly(A)-binding protein. Three polysomal mRNP proteins which bound rabbit globin mRNA did not bind preferentially any of the other RNA probes used.

Sequence variability of Borna disease virus: resistance to superinfection may contribute to high genome stability in persistently infected cells.

The RNA genome of Borna disease virus (BDV) shows extraordinary stability in persistently infected cell cultures. We performed bottleneck experiments in which virus populations from single infected cells were allowed to spread through cultures of uninfected cells and in which RNase protection assays were used to identify virus variants with mutations in a 535-nucleotide fragment of the M-G open reading frames. In one of the cell cultures, the major virus species (designated 2/1) was a variant with two point mutations in the G open reading frame. When fresh cells were infected with a low dose of a virus stock prepared from 2/1-containing cells, only a minority of the resulting persistently infected cultures contained detectable levels of the variant, whereas the others all seemed to contain wild-type virus. The BDV variant 2/1 remained stable in the various persistently infected cell cultures, indicating that the cells were resistant to superinfection by wild-type virus. Indeed, cells persistently infected with prototype BDV He/80 were also found to resist superinfection with strain V and vice versa. Our screen for mutations in the viral M and G genes of different rat-derived BDV virus stocks revealed that only one of four stocks believed to contain He/80 harbored virus with the original sequence. Two stocks mainly contained a novel virus variant with about 3% sequence divergence, whereas the fourth stock contained a mixture of both viruses. When the mixture was inoculated into the brains of newborn mice, the novel variant was preferentially amplified. These results provide evidence that the BDV genome is mutating more frequently than estimated from its invariant appearance in persistently infected cell cultures and that resistance to superinfection might strongly select against novel variants.

Vesicular stomatitis virus transcription inhibited by purified MxA protein.

MxA is a GTPase encoded by an interferon-inducible human gene. Its constitutive expression renders transfected mammalian cells resistant to infections with several different RNA viruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Differences in viral RNA levels of VSV-infected cells either expressing or lacking MxA indicated that VSV mRNA synthesis is the principal target of MxA action. We now used purified histidine-tagged MxA (His-MxA) that we produced in Escherichia coli to successfully inhibit VSV in vitro transcription, a reaction catalyzed by VSV ribonucleoprotein complexes isolated from virus-infected cells or from purified virions. MxA was inactive when added to preformed VSV mRNAs, arguing against the possibility that it has a negative effect on viral RNA stability. MxA inhibited both leader RNA and mRNA synthesis of VSV, suggesting that it interfered with transcription initiation. The degree of VSV inhibition correlated directly with the specific GTPase activities of the various wild-type MxA preparations. No inhibition of viral mRNA synthesis was observed when a C-terminally truncated, GTPase-inactive variant of His-MxA was added to the transcription reactions. Purified His-MxA-E645R, a mutant of MxA with normal GTPase activity whose range of antiviral activity in vivo is altered so that it no longer inhibits VSV, showed no inhibitory effect on VSV in vitro transcription. Since MxA inhibited VSV RNA synthesis in the presence of GMP-PNP or GTP gamma S, GTP analogs that are readily accepted by the viral polymerase but cannot be hydrolyzed by MxA, the possibility was excluded that MxA acts by depleting the viral polymerase for its nucleotide substrates. Thus, binding of GTP rather than its hydrolysis seems of importance for the anti-VSV activity of MxA.

Chicken guanylate-binding protein. Conservation of GTPase activity and induction by cytokines.

To gain further insights into the cytokine network of birds, we used polymerase chain reaction technology to clone a cDNA that codes for a chicken homolog of the interferon-induced guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs). In its N-terminal moiety, the 64-kDa chicken GBP contains two sequence blocks of 100 and 19 amino acids, respectively, that are about 70% identical to mammalian GBPs. The first region includes two motifs of the canonical GTP-binding consensus element. The other parts of chicken GBP are poorly conserved, except for a CAAX motif at the extreme C terminus which might signal isoprenylation. Like mammalian GBPs, recombinant chicken GBP specifically bound to agarose-immobilized guanine nucleotides and hydrolyzed GTP to both GDP and GMP. Regulation by interferons was also conserved: chicken GBP RNA was barely detectable in uninduced chicken cells. Low GBP RNA levels were found in cells treated with type I interferon, whereas very high levels were observed in cells treated with supernatant of a chicken T cell line that secretes a gamma-interferon-like activity. Together with recent phylogenetic studies of interferon genes, these results suggest that in spite of low sequence conservation, the various components of the avian interferon system are functionally well conserved.

A 60-kDa protein from rabbit reticulocytes specifically recognizes the capped 5' end of beta-globin mRNA.

The binding of proteins from rabbit reticulocyte lysate to in-vitro-generated beta-globin mRNA and its defined segments was investigated using ultraviolet-cross-linking experiments as well as gel-retardation assays. Under stringent conditions, only three proteins (72, 60 and 50 kDa) were found associated with full-length beta-globin mRNA at different positions. The 72-kDa protein is most likely the poly(A)-binding protein and binds, as expected, to the poly(A) tail, whereas the 50-kDa protein exhibits affinity for the trailer region of beta-globin mRNA. The binding region of the 60-kDa protein is located at the 5' end of beta-globin mRNA. The interaction of this protein is dependent on the presence of the 5' cap structure, as indicated by competition experiments using an uncapped beta-globin-mRNA leader segment. Further competition experiments with beta-globin mRNA, deleted in part in the leader region, suggest that, besides the cap structure, certain sequence elements are necessary for the interaction of the 60-kDa protein and the beta-globin mRNA leader.