Studies on a Temperature-sensitive Mutant of Fowl Plague Virus Having a Mutation in Gene 7 Coding for the M Protein

• Published in: Journal of general virology Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 291 - 304
• Main Authors: Ghendon, Y. Z, Markushin, S. G, Klimov, A. I, Lotte, V. D, Ginzburg, V. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Soc General Microbiol 01-02-1983
• Subjects: Genes, Viral; Genetic Code; Genetic Complementation Test; Hemagglutinins, Viral - genetics; Influenza A virus - genetics; Microscopy, Electron; Mutation; Neuraminidase - genetics; RNA, Viral - genetics; Temperature; Viral Matrix Proteins; Viral Proteins - genetics; Virion - genetics
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-64-2-291

Research Institute for Viral Preparations, Moscow, U.S.S.R.
A fowl plague virus (FPV) temperature-sensitive mutant, ts 303/1 having a ts mutation in gene 7 coding for the matrix (M) protein has been obtained. The mutant induced synthesis of virus-specific RNA and polypeptides as well as ribonuclear protein (RNP) formation in cells under non-permissive conditions; however, haemagglutinin cleavage was reduced, functionally active haemagglutinin and neuraminidase were absent and virions were not formed. In mutant-infected cells at 36 °C haemagglutinin cleavage was also reduced and virions formed had an altered NP:M ratio as well as a decreased haemagglutinin content. A population of virions formed under these conditions was heterogeneous both in morphology and in buoyant density. The data obtained suggest that a mutation in the M proteins of orthomyxoviruses can affect processing of the haemagglutinin and impair final stages of virion morphogenesis.
Keywords: orthomyxoviruses, fowl plague virus, ts mutants, M protein
Received 22 April 1982;
accepted 31 August 1982.