title: Sequence analysis of the membrane protein gene of human coronavirus 229E.
abstract: Human coronaviruses (HCV) are ubiquitous pathogens which cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and possibly neurological disorders. To better understand the molecular biology of the prototype HCV-229E strain, the complete nucleotide sequence of the membrane protein (M) gene was determined from cloned cDNA. The open reading frame is preceded by a consensus transcriptional initiation sequence UCUAAACU, identical to the one found upstream of the N gene. The M gene encodes a 225-amino acid polypeptide with a molecular weight (MW) of 25,822, slightly higher than the apparent MW of 19,000-22,000 observed for the unprocessed M protein obtained after in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation. The M amino acid sequence presents a significant degree of homology (38%) with its counterpart of transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV). The M protein of HCV-229E is highly hydrophobic and its hydropathicity profile shows a transmembranous region composed of three major hydrophobic domains characteristic of a typical coronavirus M protein. About 10% (20 amino acids) of the HCV-229E M protein constitutes a hydrophilic and probably external portion. One N-glycosylation and three potential O-glycosylation sites are found in this exposed domain.
authors.affiliation: Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Laval, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jouvenne
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Talbot
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003332:Coronaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins