Measles virus matrix protein gene expression in a subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patient brain and virus isolate demonstrated by cDNA hybridization and immunocytochemistry.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, fatal disease of children caused by a persistent measles virus infection of the central nervous system. A defect in synthesis of measles virus matrix (M) protein may be a factor in virus persistence in the brain. This study details attempts to detect expression of M protein in the brain of an SSPE patient, in the cell-associated virus isolated from this brain, and in brains of ferrets inoculated with the isolate. In situ hybridization with a tritiated cloned cDNA probe was used to search for RNA encoding M protein. Immunostaining with monospecific antiserum and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique was done to locate the polypeptide. The data obtained indicate that although nucleotide sequences coding for M protein were detected in the patient and ferret brains, expression of M protein in these tissues could not be detected. In the culture SSPE virus isolate, the results were the same until the infected cells were examined by electron microscopy and a very limited expression of M protein was revealed. This suggests either diminished synthesis and/or rapid degradation of M protein in this cell-associated virus strain.
Brown
H R
HR
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research, Staten Island 10314.
Goller
N L
NL
Thormar
H
H
Rudelli
R
R
Tourtellotte
W W
WW
Shapshak
P
P
Boostanfar
R
R
Wisniewski
H M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004247:DNA; D005289:Ferrets; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D004247:DNA