Complete Sequence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1-4 and Identification of Conserved Sequences

Prevalence and Distribution of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 in Leishmania Parasites from French Guiana

“…The LRV1-1 and LRV1-4 sequences share 77% nucleotide identity between themselves. 14 In French Guiana, Leishmania species predominantly diagnosed are L. guyanensis, L. braziliensis, and occasionally Leishmania amazonensis (Simon and others, submitted data). 15 Leishmaniasis represents a significant risk for those in contact with the forest.…”

“…9 The LRV complementary DNA (cDNA) was first completely sequenced by Stuart and others 12 for the prototype virus termed LRV1-1. Then, complete cDNA sequences were reported by Scheffter and others 13,14 for the LRV1-4 and LRV2-1 isolates. The LRV1-1 and LRV1-4 sequences share 77% nucleotide identity between themselves.…”

Evidence that the fully assembled capsid of Leishmania RNA virus 1-4 possesses catalytically active endoribonuclease activity

“…The finding that LRV viral capsid particles possess a site-specific endoribonuclease activity responsible for viral RNA genome cleavage is an intriguing component of Leishmaniavirus physiology, but direct evidences for the functional role of LRV capsid endoribonuclease is yet to be generated. Indirect evidences demonstrating that the 5' end of LRV1 genomes is strongly conserved in both nucleotide sequence and RNA secondary structure (Scheffter et al, 1994), as well as data that support the functional role of the 5' UTR of LRV as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) for cap-independent translation in Leishmania (Maga et al, 1995), suggest that this 5' UTR region is important for LRV replication. Also, data that Leishmania cellular proteins can bind specifically to cleave RNA of LRV1-4 produced by post-cleavage event (Saiz et al, 1999) support that the cleavage might alter the functionality of the viral transcript and regulate the viral propagation.…”

“…These viruses are now designated as the genus Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) and classified as a member of the Totiviridae family of viruses. The complete sequences and molecular organizations have been reported for two New World isolates, LRV1-1 and LRV1-4, and one Old World isolate, LRV2-1 (Stuart et al, 1992;Scheffter et al, 1994;1995, respectively). LRV1-4 genome consisting of a 5.3-kbp dsRNA possesses two large overlapping open reading frames (ORF2 and ORF3) constituting 90% of the viral genome (Scheffter et al, 1994).…”

“…The complete sequences and molecular organizations have been reported for two New World isolates, LRV1-1 and LRV1-4, and one Old World isolate, LRV2-1 (Stuart et al, 1992;Scheffter et al, 1994;1995, respectively). LRV1-4 genome consisting of a 5.3-kbp dsRNA possesses two large overlapping open reading frames (ORF2 and ORF3) constituting 90% of the viral genome (Scheffter et al, 1994). When the ORF2 encoding 742 amino acids was expressed in a baculovirus expression system, the expressed protein self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) of identical morphology to native virions , indicating that ORF2 does encode the capsid protein.…”