Association of foot-and-mouth disease virus induced RNA polymerase with host cell organelles

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus: Molecular Interplays with IFN Response and the Importance of the Model

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals with a significant socioeconomic impact. One of the issues related to this disease is the ability of its etiological agent, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), to persist in the organism of its hosts via underlying mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. The establishment of a virus–host equilibrium via protein–protein interactions could contribute to explaining these phenomena. FMDV has indeed developed numerous strategies to evade the immune response, especially the type I interferon response. Viral proteins target this innate antiviral response at different levels, ranging from blocking the detection of viral RNAs to inhibiting the expression of ISGs. The large diversity of impacts of these interactions must be considered in the light of the in vitro models that have been used to demonstrate them, some being sometimes far from biological systems. In this review, we have therefore listed the interactions between FMDV and the interferon response as exhaustively as possible, focusing on both their biological effect and the study models used.

The Different Tactics of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus to Evade Innate Immunity

Like all pathogens, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is recognized by the immune system inducing a heightened immune response mainly mediated by type I and type III IFNs. To overcome the strong antiviral response induced by these cytokines, FMDV has evolved many strategies exploiting each region of its small RNA genome. These include: (a) inhibition of IFN induction at the transcriptional and translational level, (b) inhibition of protein trafficking; (c) blockage of specific post-translational modifications in proteins that regulate innate immune signaling; (d) modulation of autophagy; (e) inhibition of stress granule formation; and (f) in vivo modulation of immune cell function. Here, we summarize and discuss FMDV virulence factors and the host immune footprint that characterize infection in cell culture and in the natural hosts.

Genomic comparison of foot-and-mouth disease virus R strain and its chick-passaged attenuated strain

The present study examined the genomic differences between foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) R strain and its attenuated, chick-passaged (R(304)) strain. Eleven pairs of primers were used to amplify the complete genome of FMDV R and R(304) by RT-PCR. Each fragment was cloned into pMD18-T vector and sequenced. Nucleotide analyses showed that the genome encoding regions of R and R(304) strains open reading frame (ORF) were both 6966 nucleotides (nt) in length, encoding 2322 amino acids. One hundred and ten nucleotides or 32 amino acids were found to be mutated most frequently were in the 3A gene. The next highest rates of mutation were observed in the LP and 1D genes. No mutations were found in either the 2A or 2C genes. The length of 5'IRES region and 3'UTR were 450 nt and 94 nt, respectively. The 5'IRES region and 3'UTR had only 4 nt and 3 nt mutation, respectively after attenuation. The R(304) poly(A) tail length of 18 nt, while that of the R strain was 30 nt. This result demonstrated the primary genomic changes of a FMDV and its attenuated strain, which has important implications in understanding the molecular epidemiology and functional genomics of FMDV.

Comparative genomics of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Here we present complete genome sequences, including a comparative analysis, of 103 isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) representing all seven serotypes and including the first complete sequences of the SAT1 and SAT3 genomes. The data reveal novel highly conserved genomic regions, indicating functional constraints for variability as well as novel viral genomic motifs with likely biological relevance. Previously undescribed invariant motifs were identified in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTR), as was tolerance for insertions/deletions in the 5' UTR. Fifty-eight percent of the amino acids encoded by FMDV isolates are invariant, suggesting that these residues are critical for virus biology. Novel, conserved sequence motifs with likely functional significance were identified within proteins L(pro), 1B, 1D, and 3C. An analysis of the complete FMDV genomes indicated phylogenetic incongruities between different genomic regions which were suggestive of interserotypic recombination. Additionally, a novel SAT virus lineage containing nonstructural protein-encoding regions distinct from other SAT and Euroasiatic lineages was identified. Insights into viral RNA sequence conservation and variability and genetic diversity in nature will likely impact our understanding of FMDV infections, host range, and transmission.

Foot-and-mouth disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The disease was initially described in the 16th century and was the first animal pathogen identified as a virus. Recent FMD outbreaks in developed countries and their significant economic impact have increased the concern of governments worldwide. This review describes the reemergence of FMD in developed countries that had been disease free for many years and the effect that this has had on disease control strategies. The etiologic agent, FMD virus (FMDV), a member of the Picornaviridae family, is examined in detail at the genetic, structural, and biochemical levels and in terms of its antigenic diversity. The virus replication cycle, including virus-receptor interactions as well as unique aspects of virus translation and shutoff of host macromolecular synthesis, is discussed. This information has been the basis for the development of improved protocols to rapidly identify disease outbreaks, to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals, and to begin to identify and test novel vaccine candidates. Furthermore, this knowledge, coupled with the ability to manipulate FMDV genomes at the molecular level, has provided the framework for examination of disease pathogenesis and the development of a more complete understanding of the virus and host factors involved.

Molecular basis of pathogenesis of FMDV

Current understanding of the molecular basis of pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been achieved through over 100 years of study into the biology of the etiologic agent, FMDV. Over the last 40 years, classical biochemical and physical analyses of FMDV grown in cell culture have helped to reveal the structure and function of the viral proteins, while knowledge gained by the study of the virus' genetic diversity has helped define structures that are essential for replication and production of disease. More recently, the availability of genetic engineering methodology has permitted the direct testing of hypotheses formulated concerning the role of individual RNA structures, coding regions and polypeptides in viral replication and disease. All of these approaches have been aided by the simultaneous study of other picornavirus pathogens of animals and man, most notably poliovirus. Although many questions of how FMDV causes its devastating disease remain, the following review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge into the molecular basis of the virus' interaction with its host that produces one of the most contagious and frightening diseases of animals or man.

Intracellular membrane proliferation in E. coli induced by foot-and-mouth disease virus 3A gene products

During picornavirus infection replication of genomic RNA occurs in membrane-associated ribonucleoprotein complexes. These replication complexes contain different nonstructural viral proteins with mostly unknown function. To examine the function of nonstructural picornaviral proteins in more detail, cDNA of foot-and-mouth-disease virus (FMDV) strain O1 Lausanne was cloned into lambda ZAP II, and different parts of the P3-coding sequence were expressed in E. coli by the T7 polymerase system. Expression products constituted (a) fusion proteins composed of N-terminal leader peptide of bacteriophage T7 phi 10 protein fused to FMDV P3-sequences of different lengths, (b) translation products of authentic P3-region genes, and (c) carboxy-terminally truncated 3A proteins. Expression products were characterized by NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, as well as electron and immunoelectron microscopy. We show here that in the T7 polymerase system a high level of expression of 3A-containing peptides is achieved in E. coli. Remarkably, the expression of 3A-derived proteins induced a dramatic intracellular membrane proliferation in E. coli cells, similar to the vesicle induction observed in FMDV-infected cells. By immunoelectron microscopy, 3A-reactive material was found associated with these membranes. We hypothesize that the FMDV 3A protein is instrumental in eliciting intracellular membrane proliferation in infected cells as a prerequisite for viral RNA replication.

Immunogenicity of foot-and-mouth disease virus grown in BHK-21 suspension cells. Correlation with cell ploidy alterations and abnormal expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin

BHK-21 suspension cells were characterized with regard to genetic and phenotypic features which might adversely affect the immunogenic properties of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) grown therein. A positive correlation was found between number of passages in suspension culture and both prevalence of polyploid cells and reduced cell growth on surfaces. Suspension cells also revealed differences in the expression of RGD-specific integrins and, in particular, of alpha 5 beta 1, which was shown to work as an FMDV receptor structure. These features, along with the notable instability of a few non-structural FMDV A5 proteins in infected cells, outline a new scenario, in which the reduced immunogenicity of FMDV might be accounted for by defined negative influences of the cell environment on viral replication.

Expression of the aphthovirus RNA polymerase gene in Escherichia coli and its use together with other bioengineered nonstructural antigens in detection of late persistent infections

A plasmid has been constructed containing the DNA sequences that direct the expression of the aphthovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (virus infection-associated antigen, VIAA) in its native form. The aphthovirus polypeptide was designed to contain only a single additional amino acid, the N-terminal methionine. The recombinant protein has been purified and used in enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blots to detect aphthovirus-specific antibodies in the sera of persistently infected animals. Furthermore, studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that antibodies against other nonstructural antigens appear in the sera of these animals. It was established that antibodies against polypeptides 3A and 3B can serve as complementary markers for late aphthovirus-carrier state detection. The considerable potential of this approach to detect aphthovirus-specific antibodies, when the isolation of infectious virus is not possible, was demonstrated. Negative results were obtained in animals from virus-free areas and in vaccinated cattle. This assay has the added advantage that no infectious or noninfectious virus is involved during antigen production.

Antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus infection associated (VIA) antigen: use of a bioengineered VIA protein as antigen in an ELISA

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus infection associated (VIA) antigen (viral RNA polymerase) in cattle sera, was developed using a bioengineered VIA (BioVIA) protein antigen. Compared with the classical immunodiffusion test, with viral RNA polymerase purified from infected cell cultures as antigen, this ELISA was more sensitive. However, depending on the cattle population examined, sera with antibodies to viral RNA polymerase, probably due to infection with other picornaviruses, were detected. Despite these observations, the ELISA using BioVIA provided a rapid answer as to whether or not FMD virus circulated in a given herd of cattle. The main advantage of this ELISA is its absolute safety, since in no step of the antigen production was infectious or uninfectious FMD virus involved. The test can therefore be performed under normal laboratory conditions and no isolation units are needed as they are for the immunodiffusion test.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus-induced RNA polymerase is associated with Golgi apparatus

Electrophoretic analysis of the Golgi apparatus isolated by differential centrifugation from radiolabeled cells infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus showed about 10 protein bands. The virus-induced RNA polymerase was identified by immunoprecipitation and electron microscope staining procedures. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the polymerase passed through the Golgi apparatus in less than 1 h.

Effect of salts and other agents on foot-and-mouth disease virus poly (U) polymerase activity

The activity of the purified poly(U) polymerase replication complex of foot-and-mouth disease virus was optimized when 100 mM NH4+ and either 0.75 mM Al3+ or 1.0 mM Fe3+ was added to the standard assay reaction mixture. Zn2+ at concentrations of 10(-5) mM to 5 mM inhibited enzyme activity although all polymerases examined to date have contained zinc. Mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol inhibited polymerase activity despite the presence of cysteine residues in the viral induced polypeptide of the replication complex, possibly because of their action as metal chelators rather than as reducing agents.