Biological, antigenic and phylogenetic characterization of the flavivirus Alfuy

F.J. May; M. Lobigs; E. Lee; D.J. Gendle; J.S. Mackenzie; A.K. Broom; J.V. Conlan; R.A. Hall

doi:10.1099/vir.0.81252-0

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Biological, antigenic and phylogenetic characterization of the flavivirus Alfuy

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Biological, antigenic and phylogenetic characterization of the flavivirus Alfuy

F.J. May, M. Lobigs, E. Lee, D.J. Gendle, J.S. Mackenzie, A.K. Broom, J.V. Conlan and R.A. Hall

Journal of General Virology, Vol.87(2), pp.329-337

2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.81252-0

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Abstract

Alfuy virus (ALFV) is classified as a subtype of the flavivirus Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV); however, despite preliminary reports of antigenic and ecological similarities with MVEV, ALFV has not been associated with human disease. Here, it was shown that ALFV is at least 10(4)-fold less neuroinvasive than MVEV after peripheral inoculation of 3-week-old Swiss outbred mice, but ALFV demonstrates similar neurovirulence. In addition, it was shown that ALFV is partially attenuated in mice that are deficient in alpha/beta interferon responses, in contrast to MVEV which is uniformly lethal in these mice. To assess the antigenic relationship between these viruses, a panel of monoclonal antibodies was tested for the ability to bind to ALFV and MVEV in ELISA. Although the majority of monoclonal antibodies recognized both viruses, confirming their antigenic similarity, several discriminating antibodies were identified. Finally, the entire genome of the prototype strain of ALFV (MRM3929) was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Nucleotide (73 %) and amino acid sequence (83 %) identity between ALFV and MVEV confirmed previous reports of their close relationship. Several nucleotide and amino acid deletions and/or substitutions with putative functional significance were identified in ALFV, including the abolition of a conserved glycosylation site in the envelope protein and the deletion of the terminal dinucleotide 5'-CU(OH)-3' found in all other members of the genus. These findings confirm previous reports that ALFV is closely related to MVEV, but also highlights significant antigenic, genetic and phenotypic divergence from MVEV. Accordingly, the data suggest that ALFV is a distinct species within the serogroup Japanese encephalitis virus.

Details

Title: Biological, antigenic and phylogenetic characterization of the flavivirus Alfuy
Authors/Creators: F.J. May (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
M. Lobigs (Author/Creator) - Australian National University
E. Lee (Author/Creator) - Australian National University
D.J. Gendle (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
J.S. Mackenzie (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
A.K. Broom (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
J.V. Conlan (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
R.A. Hall (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
Publication Details: Journal of General Virology, Vol.87(2), pp.329-337
Publisher: Society for General Microbiology
Identifiers: 991005544241907891
Copyright: © 2006 SGM
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.228 Virology - Tropical Diseases; 1.228.200 Mosquito-borne Viruses
Web Of Science research areas: Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Virology
ESI research areas: Microbiology