Biochemical studies on the Phlebotomus fever group viruses (Bunyaviridae family)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Analyses of the virion polypeptides and genomes of several Phlebotomus fever group viruses, Karimabad, Punta Toro, Chagres and the sandfly fever Sicilian serotype viruses, established that they are biochemically similar to the accepted members of the Bunyaviridae family. Like snowshoe hare virus (a member of the California serogroup of the Bunyavirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family), Karimabad, Punta Toro, Chagres and the sandfly fever Sicilian serotype viruses all have 3 viral RNA species, designated large (L), medium (M) and small (S). Oligonucleotide fingerprint analyses of Karimabad and Punta Toro virus RNA species indicated that their L, M and S RNA species are unique. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis it was determined for Karimabad virus that the apparent MW of its L, M and S RNA species are 2.6 .times. 106, 2.2 .times. 106 and 0.8 .times. 106, respectively. For Punta Toro virus, the apparent MW of its L, M and S RNA species are 2.8 .times. 106, 1.8 .times. 106 and 0.75 .times. 106, respectively. The major internal nucleocapsid (N) protein of Karimabad virus had MW of 21 .times. 103. A similar polypeptide size class was identified in preparations of sandfly fever Sicilian serotype, Chagres and Punta Toro viruses. The Karimabad virus glycoproteins formed the external surface projections on virus particles and could be removed from virus preparations by protease treatment. The glycoproteins in an unreduced sample could be resolved into 2 size classes by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They had apparent MW of 62 .times. 103 and 50 .times. 103 in continuous polyacrylamide gels. When Karimabad virus preparations were reduced with 1% .beta.-mercaptoethanol prior to resolution by continuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, all the viral glycoprotein was recovered in a single size class having an apparent MW of 62 .times. 103. Two or 3 major virion polypeptides were identified in preparations of Punta Toro, Chagres and sandfly fever Sicilian serotype viruses.