Contribution of the attachment G glycoprotein to pathogenicity and immunogenicity of avian metapneumovirus subgroup C.
Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) causes an upper respiratory tract infection in turkeys leading to serious economic losses to the turkey industry. The G glycoprotein of AMPV is known to be associated with viral attachment and pathogenesis. In this study, we determined the role of the G glycoprotein in the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of AMPV strain Colorado (AMPV/CO). Recombinant AMPV/CO lacking the G protein (rAMPV/CO-deltaG) was generated using a reverse-genetics system. The recovered rAMPV/CO-deltaG replicated slightly better than did wild-type AMPV in Vero cells. However, deletion of the G gene in AMPV resulted in attenuation of the virus in turkeys. The mutant virus induced less-severe clinical signs and a weaker immune response in turkeys than did the wild-type AMPV. Our results suggest that the G glycoprotein is an important determinant for the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of AMPV.
Govindarajan
Dhanasekaran
D
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, 8075 Greenmead Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Kim
Shin-Hee
SH
Samal
Siba K
SK
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014422:Turkeys; D014709:Vero Cells; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014774:Virulence; D014779:Virus Replication
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C116204:attachment protein G