Sequence and characterisation of the Z gene encoding ring finger protein of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus MX strain.
We have cloned and characterised a cDNA encoding Z protein of recently identified MX strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) persistently infecting human MaTu cells. Deduced amino acid sequence of LCMV MX Z protein showed 88.9% identity with that of the LCMV Armstrong (ARM) strain and 80.9% identity with that of the LCMV Traub (TRA) strain. It contained conserved zinc-binding RING finger domain and C-terminal proline-rich region. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from MaTu cells revealed presence of abundant truncated forms of L RNA. Z protein-specific rabbit antibodies were produced to glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Z fusion protein expressed in E. coli and used for the detection of Z protein in MaTu cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses detected relatively high levels of Z protein indicating its role in maintenance of persistent LCMV.
Gibadulinová
A
A
Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
Zelník
V
V
Reiserová
L
L
Závodská
E
E
Zatovicová
M
M
Ciampor
F
F
Pastoreková
S
S
Pastorek
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line / Q000821:virology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D016335:Zinc Fingers