Topic
Virus
About: Virus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 136914 publications have been published within this topic receiving 5209107 citations. The topic is also known as: infectious agent & viruses.
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TL;DR: In this article, a system that allows the cloning of any γ-herpesvirus in Escherichia coli onto an F factor-derived plasmid was proposed.
Abstract: With current techniques, genetic alterations of herpesviruses are difficult to perform, mostly because of the large size of their genomes. To solve this problem, we have designed a system that allows the cloning of any γ-herpesvirus in Escherichia coli onto an F factor-derived plasmid. Immortalized B cell lines were readily established with recombinant Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), demonstrating that the F factor-cloned EBV genome has all the characteristics of wild-type EBV. Because any genetic modification is possible in E. coli, this experimental approach opens the way to the genetic analysis of all EBV functions. Moreover, it is now feasible to generate attenuated EBV strains in vitro such that vaccine strains can be designed. Because we incorporated the genes for hygromycin resistance and green fluorescent protein onto the E. coli cloned EBV genome, the still open question of the EBV target cells other than B lymphocytes will be addressed.
484 citations
TL;DR: Non-nucleosidic inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid maturation that possess in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity are described and have potential for future therapeutic regimens to combat chronic HBV infection.
Abstract: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver disease. Only interferon-alpha and the nucleosidic inhibitors of the viral polymerase, 3TC and adefovir, are approved for therapy. However, these therapies are limited by the side effects of interferon and the substantial resistance of the virus to nucleosidic inhibitors. Potent new antiviral compounds suitable for monotherapy or combination therapy are highly desired. We describe non-nucleosidic inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid maturation that possess in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity. These inhibitors have potential for future therapeutic regimens to combat chronic HBV infection.
483 citations
TL;DR: Indirect immunofluorescence analyses of cultures inoculated with wild-type virus with use of a vpu-specific antiserum demonstrated that vpu is mainly localized to a perinuclear region in the cytoplasm of virus-producing cells.
Abstract: A deletion mutation affecting vpu was introduced into an infectious molecular clone of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and the resultant phenotype was examined after infection of human T lymphocytes. The absence of vpu resulted in an accumulation of cell-associated viral proteins and impaired the release of progeny virions. Both electron microscopic and biochemical analyses indicated that a large proportion of the mutant particles was attached to the surface of infected cells. Significant variation in the size and shape of these progeny virions was observed. In addition, intracytoplasmic particles, some of which formed aberrant budding structures, were visualized in T cells infected with the vpu mutant. Indirect immunofluorescence analyses of cultures inoculated with wild-type virus with use of a vpu-specific antiserum demonstrated that vpu is mainly localized to a perinuclear region in the cytoplasm of virus-producing cells.
483 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that, in human T-cell lines infected with HTLV-III, gene expression directed by the long terminal repeat sequence of this virus is stimulated by more than two orders of magnitude compared to matched uninfected cells.
Abstract: Human T-cell leukemia virus type III (HTLV-III) was recently identified as the probable etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Here it is shown that, in human T-cell lines infected with HTLV-III, gene expression directed by the long terminal repeat sequence of this virus is stimulated by more than two orders of magnitude compared to matched uninfected cells. The rate of transcription of the HTLV-III long terminal repeat is more than 1000 times that of the SV40 early promoter in one infected cell line. Thus, HTLV-III, like HTLV-I, HTLV-II, and the bovine leukemia virus, is characterized by trans-activation of transcription in infected cells. The efficiency of trans-activation in the case of HTLV-III may account, at least in part, for the virulent nature of HTLV-III infection.
483 citations
TL;DR: The newly discovered vacuolating virus appears to be a common and essentially ubiquitous contaminant of rhesus monkey kidney cell cultures and a likely common contaminants of cynomolgus kidney cultures in which it develops to high titer without evident cytopathic change.
Abstract: SummaryThe newly discovered vacuolating virus, S.V.40, appears to be a common and essentially ubiquitous contaminant of rhesus monkey kidney cell cultures and a likely common contaminant of cynomolgus kidney cultures in which it develops to high titer without evident cytopathic change. The virus grows readily in grivet, vervet and patas kidney and in rhesus testicle cultures causing a unique cytopathology characterized by ballooning and intense vacuolation. Some biological and biophysical properties of the virus are described. Principal interest in and importance of the vacuolating virus arise from its demonstrated presence in all 3 types of Sabin's live poliovirus vaccines and in numerous respiratory virus seed lines employed in human volunteer inoculation experiments. Demonstration of the virus has raised the question of safety following administration to human subjects, especially infants, and of possible lack of validity of conclusions reached from experiments to measure neurovirulence or “genetic” ma...
482 citations