Characterization of the haemorrhagic enteritis virus genome and the sequence of the putative penton base and core protein genes

Abstract

Haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) is a member of a genetically ill-defined group within the genus Aviadenovirus which causes significant clinical disease in gallinaceous fowl. Using DNA obtained from a low virulence isolate of HEV passed in turkeys, we developed a genomic restriction map and estimated an apparent genomic length of 25.5 kb. No evidence for extensive DNA hybridization was found between the HEV genome and either the hexon or penton base genes of human adenovirus 2 (HAdV-2) and fowl adenovirus 10 (FAdV-10). The HEV penton base gene was identified by PCR using primers based on conserved adenoviral DNA sequences. The penton base gene was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein and detected by anti-HEV serum in both colony and denaturing gel immunoblots. DNA sequencing revealed a putative penton base ORF with a predicted amino acid sequence showing approximately 39.0 %, 53.0 % and 44.2 % similarity with the penton base of HAdV-2, human adenovirus 40 (HAdV-40) and FAdV-10, respectively. The penton base gene was located at 43.3-48.6 m.u. on the HEV genome and had a remarkably low G + C content (33'8 %). DNA sequencing also revealed ORFs for putative core proteins resembling pVII, p-mu and a partial ORF similar to pVI (hexon-associated protein) of HAdV-2 and HAdV-40. The results support the claim that HEV represents a distinct group of viruses within the genus Aviadenovirus.

Full genome analysis of a novel adenovirus from the South Polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) in Antarctica

“…However, other clinical manifestations have been observed. For example, turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) causes inclusion body hepatitis, depression, splenomegaly, immunosuppression and death (Beach et al, 2009;Jucker et al, 1996;Pitcovski et al, 1998); falcon adenovirus also causes hepatitis ; and agamid adenovirus infection can be subclinical or lethal (Wellehan et al, 2004).…”

Haemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys – current knowledge

“…Virions are observed in the nucleus of the cell, in diffuse array as well as in tight crystalline pattern Itakura & Carlson 1975;Ossa et al 1983). Also, DNA hybridization experiments and gene sequence data has revealed that HEV is distinct from other aviadenoviruses (Jucker et al 1996). The whole DNA genome sequence of the virus is now available and the information suggests it contains a linear double standard DNA of 26 Kbp, which is shorter than the genomic DNA of other adenoviruses (Jucker et al 1996).…”

“…Also, DNA hybridization experiments and gene sequence data has revealed that HEV is distinct from other aviadenoviruses (Jucker et al 1996). The whole DNA genome sequence of the virus is now available and the information suggests it contains a linear double standard DNA of 26 Kbp, which is shorter than the genomic DNA of other adenoviruses (Jucker et al 1996). The genome consists of eight open reading frames (ORFs) in two clusters; one that includes ORFs 1, 2, 3 and 4, and other as ORFs 7 and 8 and at least 13 genes including 52K, IIIa, Penton base, pVI, Hexon, EP,100K, pVIII, Fiber,IVa2, POL, pTP, and DBP.…”