Nipah virus edits its P gene at high frequency to express the V and W proteins.
Nipah virus (NiV) is predicted to encode four proteins from its P gene (P, V, W, and C) via mRNA editing and an alternate open reading frame. By use of specific antibodies, the expression of the V, W, and C proteins in NiV-infected cells has now been confirmed. Analysis of the P-gene transcripts shows a ratio of P:V:W mRNA of 1:1:1, but this differs over time, with greater proportions of V and W transcripts observed as the infection progresses. Eighty-two percent of transcripts are edited, with up to 11 G insertions observed. This exceptionally high editing frequency ensures expression of the V and W proteins.
Kulkarni
Sachin
S
Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Volchkova
Valentina
V
Basler
Christopher F
CF
Palese
Peter
P
Volchkov
Viktor E
VE
Shaw
Megan L
ML
D002460:Cell Line; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D045405:Nipah Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; C539757:V protein, Nipah virus; D014764:Viral Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; C501252:W protein, Nipah virus