Virus-specific proteins and RNAs from cells infected with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) viruses derived from endemic areas of the U.S.S.R.

Abstract

Cell-associated proteins of rodent (CG-1820 strain) and human (K-27 and 360 strains) hantaviruses isolated in the European endemic areas of the U.S.S.R. are antigenically similar as revealed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays. Nucleocapsid-associated RNAs of representative hantaviruses of four antigenic groups [Sugiyama et al. (1987) J Gen Virol 68: 979-987] have unique PAGE patterns. "Electropherotyping" of the RNAs isolated from infected cells might be used for identifying and distinguishing hantaviruses.

The Lassa fever virus L gene: nucleotide sequence, comparison, and precipitation of a predicted 250 kDa protein with monospecific antiserum.

“…LAS L RNA was obtained by immunoprecipitating nucleocapsids from infected cells, extracting them with phenol-chloroform, and isolating the L RNA segment on linear 15-30 % sucrose\0n5 % SDS gradients as described (Lukashevich et al, 1984(Lukashevich et al, , 1988. The majority of the LAS L gene sequence was obtained from four partially overlapping clones (details available from the authors on request).…”

Use of recombinant nucleocapsid proteins of the hantaan and nephropathia epidemica serotypes of Hantaviruses as immunodiagnostic antigens

“…The isolated strains are variable antigenically and have been preliminarily assigned to the 5 serogroups Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala (nephropathia epidemica virus, NEV), Prospect Hill, and Leakey [Baek et al, 1989;Lee et al, 1985;Schmaljohn et al, 1985;Sheshberadaran et al, 1988;Sugiyama et al, 19871, which correspond to different natural rodent hosts. The serogroups Hantaan, Seoul, and Puumala have been related to various forms of HFRS in humans, which mainly differ in terms of severity [Byun et al, 1986;Lee et al, 1980;van Ypersele de Strihou et al, 1985;Zeier et al, 19901. Strains belonging to the Puumala serotype (e.g., Puumala, Hallnas B1, or CG-1820) are associated with the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) as their natural host and cause nephropathia epidemica, a mild form of HFRS, which occurs in Central and Northern Europe [Lukashevic et al, 1988;Niklasson and Leduc, 1984;Tkachenko et al, 1984;Yanagihara et al, 19841. Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation analysis of the humoral immune response in Hantavirus infections provided evidence that the nucleocapsid protein is a major antigenic determinant and induces a strong immune reaction early in the course of the infection [Schmaljohn et al, 1983b[Schmaljohn et al, , 1986aZoller et al, 19893. It was therefore considered to be a potential diagnostic antigen.…”