Mutations associated with viral sequences isolated from mice persistently infected with MHV-JHM.
Mouse hepatitis virus JHM (JHMV or MHV-4) induces subacute and chronic demyelination in rodents and has been studied as a model human demyelinating diseases, such a multiple sclerosis. However, despite intensive investigation, the state of JHMV during chronic disease is poorly understood. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification (RT-PCR) to "rescue" viral RNA, we have found that JHMV-specific sequences persist for at least 787 days after intracerebral inoculation of experimental mice. Analysis of persisting viral RNA reveals that it is extensively mutated, and we hypothesize that the mutations observed reflect adaptation of the viral quasispecies to low-level intracellular replication during chronic disease.
Fleming
J O
JO
Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, USA.
Adami
C
C
Pooley
J
J
Glomb
J
J
Stecker
E
E
Fazal
F
F
Baker
S C
SC
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008957:Models, Genetic; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012377:Rodentia; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication
D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral