Neuronal loss in a lower motor neuron disease induced by a murine retrovirus.
An animal model of neuronal loss induced by a murine retrovirus is described. The neurological disease is manifested by a lower limb paralysis and is characterized as a spongiform myeloencephalopathy. The primary determinant of neurovirulence has been mapped within the viral env sequences and a secondary determinant is present within the LTR region. A model of pathogenesis, suggesting that the disease is receptor-mediated, is proposed.
Jolicoeur
P
P
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D009052:Leukemia Virus, Murine; D051379:Mice; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*