Mink

About: Mink is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3504 publications have been published within this topic receiving 65407 citations. The topic is also known as: little mink & great mink.

Coassembly of K(V)LQT1 and minK (IsK) proteins to form cardiac I(Ks) potassium channel.

Abstract: THE slowly activating delayed-rectifier K+ current, IKS, modulates the repolarization of cardiac action potentials. The molecular structure of the IKS channel is not known, but physiological data indicate that one component of theIKSchannel is minK (refs 1–6), a 130-amino-acid protein with a single putative transmembrane domain7. The size and structure of this protein is such that it is unlikely that minK alone forms functional channels8,9. We have previously used positional cloning techniques to define a new putative K+-channel gene, KVLQT110. Mutations in this gene cause long-QT syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias. Here we show that KVLQT1 encodes a K+ channel with biophysical properties unlike other known cardiac currents. We considered that KVLQT1 might coassemble with another subunit to form func-tional channels in cardiac myocytes. Coexpression of KVLQT1 with minK induced a current that was almost identical to cardiac IKS. Therefore, KVLQT1 is the subunit that coassembles with minK to form IKS channels and IKS dysfunction is a cause of cardiac arrhythmia.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms between humans and mink and back to humans.

Abstract: Animal experiments have shown that nonhuman primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits, and bats can be infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink, and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation using whole-genome sequencing of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and the humans living or working on these farms. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced by humans and has since evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period, several weeks before detection. Despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance, and immediate culling of animals in affected farms, transmission occurred between mink farms in three large transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. Of the tested mink farm residents, employees, and/or individuals with whom they had been in contact, 68% had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals for which whole genomes were available were shown to have been infected with strains with an animal sequence signature, providing evidence of animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within mink farms.

A new class of murine leukemia virus associated with development of spontaneous lymphomas

Abstract: A new type of murine leukemia virus has been detected in thymuses of leukemic and late preleukemic AKR mice, in lymphomas developing in NIH Swiss mice carrying the AKR ectopic virus-inducing loci Akv-I or Akv-2, and in the thymus of a preleukemic C58 mouse. The viruses induce focal areas of morphologic alteration in a mink lung cell line and are tentatively referred to as "mink cell focus-inducing" (MCF) strains. They have the host range of both xenotropic and N-tropic ecotropic murine leukemia viruses, are neutralized by antisera to both ecotropic and xenotropic viruses, and are interfered with by both viruses. They may represent a particular type of genetic recombinant which emerges during the preleukemic period in high-ecotropic-virus mouse strains, and they may play a significant role in the etiology of spontaneous lymphomas.

Distinct PrP properties suggest the molecular basis of strain variation in transmissible mink encephalopathy.

Abstract: The molecular basis of strain variation in scrapie diseases is unknown. The only identified component of the agent is the posttranslationally modified host prion protein (PrPSc). The biochemical and physical properties of PrP from two strains of transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME), called hyper (HY) and drowsy (DY), were compared to investigate if PrP heterogeneity could account for strain diversity. The degradation rate of PrPTME digested with proteinase K was found to be strain specific and correlated with inactivation of the TME titer. Edman protein sequencing revealed that the major N-terminal end of HY PrPTME commenced at least 10 amino acid residues prior to that of DY PrPTME after digestion with proteinase K. Analysis of the brain distribution of PrPTME exhibited a strain-specific pattern and localization of PrPTME to the perikarya of specific neuron populations. Our findings are consistent with HY and DY PrPTME having distinct protein conformations and/or strain-specific ligand interactions that influence PrPTME properties. We propose that PrPTME conformation could play a role in targeting TME strains to different neuron populations in which strain-specific formation occurs. These data are consistent with the idea that PrPTME protein structure determines the molecular basis of strain variation. Images

SARS-CoV-2 infection in farmed minks, the Netherlands, April and May 2020.

Abstract: Respiratory disease and increased mortality occurred in minks on two farms in the Netherlands, with interstitial pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in organ and swab samples. On both farms, at least one worker had coronavirus disease-associated symptoms before the outbreak. Variations in mink-derived viral genomes showed between-mink transmission and no infection link between the farms. Inhalable dust contained viral RNA, indicating possible exposure of workers. One worker is assumed to have attracted the virus from mink.