Poliovirus host range is determined by a short amino acid sequence in neutralization antigenic site I.
The mouse-adapted strain of poliovirus type 2 (Lansing) induces fatal poliomyelitis in mice after intracerebral inoculation, whereas mice inoculated with poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney) show no signs of disease. Previous work indicated that the adaptation to mouse virulence is associated with the viral capsid proteins and that mutations in neutralization antigenic site I of poliovirus reduce neurovirulence of the Lansing strain in mice. The role of antigenic site I in mouse neurovirulence was further explored by constructing an antigenic hybrid virus. Six amino acids in antigenic site I of the Mahoney strain were replaced with a sequence specific for the Lansing strain by using a mutagenesis cartridge. The hybrid virus was neutralized by polyclonal antisera elicited by the type 1 and type 2 strains of poliovirus and by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic site I of type 2 virus. The hybrid virus induced paralytic disease in mice, an observation demonstrating that a short sequence of amino acids in antigenic site I is an important determinant of poliovirus host range. Antigenic site I may be involved in attachment of poliovirus to cells of the mouse central nervous system.
Murray
M G
MG
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
Bradley
J
J
Yang
X F
XF
Wimmer
E
E
Moss
E G
EG
Racaniello
V R
VR
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D002213:Capsid / Q000502:physiology; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014779:Virus Replication
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral