The glycosylation site in the envelope protein of West Nile virus (Sarafend) plays an important role in replication and maturation processes.
The complete genome of West Nile (Sarafend) virus [WN(S)V] was sequenced. Phylogenetic trees utilizing the complete genomic sequence, capsid gene, envelope gene and NS5 gene/3' untranslated region of WN(S)V classified WN(S)V as a lineage II virus. A full-length infectious clone of WN(S)V with a point mutation in the glycosylation site of the envelope protein (pWNS-S154A) was constructed. Both growth kinetics and the mode of maturation were affected by this mutation. The titre of the pWNS-S154A virus was lower than the wild-type virus. This defect was corrected by the expression of wild-type envelope protein in trans. The pWNS-S154A virus matured intracellularly instead of at the plasma membrane as shown for the parental WN(S)V.
Li
J
J
Flavivirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 Science Drive 2, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597.
Bhuvanakantham
R
R
Flavivirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 Science Drive 2, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597.
Howe
J
J
Flavivirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 Science Drive 2, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597.
Ng
M-L
ML
Flavivirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 Science Drive 2, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006031:Glycosylation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013045:Species Specificity; D014709:Vero Cells; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins