Rift Valley Fever Virus: Molecular Biologic Studies of the M Segment RNA for Application in Disease Prevention.

Abstract

Various aspects of the genomic M segment RNA of RVFV were investigated. The messenger RNA (mRNA) of this segment was found to lack at its 3' end approximately 112 nucleotides found at the 5' end of the M genomic RNA. The 5' end of the mRNA possessed all of the sequences present at the 3' end of the M RNA, but was further extended beyond the end of the genome by about 12-14 nucleotides. Four distinct antigenic determinants along the G2 glycoprotein were localized to small peptide regions of between 11 and 34 amino acids. These epitopes were defined by four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), three of which were capable of neutralizing virus ineffectivity; one was non-neutralizing. This and other information were used to design and construct plasmids that, when introduced into E. coli, directed the synthesis of novel polypeptides containing glycoprotein G2 sequences. These polypeptides are under evaluation for their ability to elicit protective immunity in lab animals against RVFV challenge. Live recombinant vaccinia viruses have been constructed that possess the entire coding regions for both RVFV glycoproteins. These viruses expressed and correctly processed the G2 and G1 proteins. Mice immunized with these viruses developed high titers of virus neutralizing antibodies and were protected from lethal RVFV challenge.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA174610

Entities

People

  • Marc Collett

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Amino Acids
  • Animals
  • Antigens
  • Biomedical Research
  • Chemistry
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Immunity
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology
  • Mrna
  • Proteins
  • Recombinant Dna
  • Rift Valley Fever
  • Rift Valleys
  • Viruses

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Virology (or Medical Virology).