Respiratory syncytial virus mRNA coding assignments

Abstract

The polypeptide coding assignments for six of the respiratory syncytial virus-specific mRNAs were determined by translation of the individual mRNAs in vitro. The coding assignments of the RNAs are as follows. RNA band 1 is complex and can be separated into at least two components on the basis of electrophoretic mobility (molecular weights [MWs] approximately equal to 0.21 X 10(6) and 0.31 X 10(6), respectively) that code for three polypeptides of 9.5, 11, and 14 kilodaltons (K). RNA 2 (MW, 0.39 X 10(6)) codes for a 34K polypeptide; RNA 3 (MW, 0.40 X 10(6)) codes for a 26K polypeptide; RNA 4 (MW, 0.47 X 10(6)) codes for a 42K polypeptide; and RNA 5 (MW, 0.74 X 10(6)) codes for a 59K polypeptide. By limited-digest peptide mapping, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro appeared to be unique. Additionally, peptide mapping showed that the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro were indistinguishable from their counterparts synthesized in infected cells. Thus, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides coded for by mRNAs 2, 3, and 4, respectively, were identified as the respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein (34K), matrix protein (26K), and nucleocapsid protein (42K), respectively. RNA 5 was shown to code for a 59K polypeptide. The 59K polypeptide synthesized in vitro did not comigrate with any polypeptide specific to infected cells, suggesting that it is a candidate for co- or post-translational modification.

Pneumovirus-like characteristics of the mRNA and proteins of turkey rhinotracheitis virus

“…The mRNA profile of TRTV closely resembles that of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, a pneumovirus (Huang and Wertz, 1983). Seven major RNA species have been reported in RS virus infected cells, ranging in J4, from 0.26 to 2.5 x 106, but some of these bands represent two or three mRNAs.…”

“…Seven major RNA species have been reported in RS virus infected cells, ranging in J4, from 0.26 to 2.5 x 106, but some of these bands represent two or three mRNAs. In addition there are several other bands which are polycistronic read-through transcripts (Huang and Wertz, 1983;Dickens et al, 1984). As shown in Fig.…”

mRNA sequence of three respiratory syncytial virus genes encoding two nonstructural proteins and a 22K structural protein

“…Several paramyxoviruses have been shown to encode one or two small NS proteins either from a second overlapping ORF within the P gene (Sendai and measles) (11, 34; B. Bellini, personal communication) or from the N-terminal portion of the P protein itself as in Newcastle disease virus (5). Interestingly, the mRNA sequence of RS virus P gene had a single ORF, and distinct transcripts for three viral NS proteins have been identified (2,16,32). Although no functional roles have been ascribed to RS viral NS proteins, transcripts for two of these are the earliest to be synthesized, and it might be argued that the protein products of at least two of these genes may be involved in transcriptional modulation.…”

“…It has been shown to encode at least 10 polyadenylate [poly(A)]containing mRNAs. Gene coding assignments based on cell-free translation of individual mRNAs have identified protein products for nine of these species (2,14,16). Analyses of infected cells and extracellular virus have revealed three major proteins integrated in the viral envelope, namely, an 84,000-molecular-weight (84K) envelope glycoprotein, a 68K fusion glycoprotein, and a 28K nonglycosylated membrane or matrix (M) protein.…”

“…200,000 molecular weight (presumably the viral polymerase) (1,8,21,26,38). In addition, two or three small proteins (9.5K to 15K) are visualized in infected cell lysates but are not usually present in purified virus and are hence referred to as nonstructural (NS) proteins (2,16,38). Unlike the paramyxovirus NS proteins, RS virus apparently encodes the NS proteins within separate genetic units (2,38).…”