title: Sequence analysis of the nucleocapsid gene of feline coronaviruses circulating in Italy.
abstract: Molecular analysis of the N genes of feline coronaviruses (FCoV) strains detected in naturally infected cats were carried out to investigate the genetic diversity among these viruses. Phylogeny showed a general clustering trend on the basis of geographic origin rather than on virulence characteristics. The analysis of the pattern of nucleotide substitutions disclosed "hot spots" sites which may represent immunological domains. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the N gene does not carry mutations associated with the pathotypical switch FECV --> FIPV. During persistent infection, the individual qualitative immune response might address the accumulations of mutations in the N gene and the development of FIP.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università& di Bologna, Italy. mara.battilani@unibo.it
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battilani
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balboni
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassani
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scagliarini
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paltrinieri
authors.forename: Santino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prosperi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D002415:Cats; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology*; D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D016765:Coronavirus, Feline / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA
chemical_list: D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins