Comparison of European bat rabies virus and fixed rabies virus protein sequences with respect to rabies virus pathogenesis and immunity

153 Comparison of European Bat Rabies Virus and Fixed Rabies Virus Sequences with Respect to Rabies Virus Pathogenesis and Xmmunity William

H. Wunner, Jovi

The Wistar

Institute,

K. Larson, Esteban Philadelphia,

PA

Celis and Bernhard

Protein

Dietzschold

19104 U.S.A.

A rabies-related virus strain identified in European bats (DUV-6) that is closely related to the Duvenhage virus found in southern Africa has been characterized by nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence analysis. Amino acid differences which account for the low (71.5%) sequence homology between the glycoprotein (G) of the rabies-related DUV-6 virus and rabies virus strains have been correlated with the lack of several antigenic determinants characteristic of rabies viruses. Considering the various including binding of virusfunctions of the rabies virus G protein neutralizing antibodies, activation of T lymphocytes, attachment to putative cell surface receptors, and its tendency to prejudice virus virulence in adult mice infected by intracerebral inoculation, variable and conserved sequences in the rabies-related DUV G protein provide fresh answers to sevvirus pathogenicity and immunity. questions concerning rabies eral Nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (NS), and matrix (M) protein will be discussed with respect to the variable and conserved sequences of the DUV-6 strain compared with fixed rabies virus strains and their relation to the known functions of particularly in their role as inducers of the immune these proteins, system.

154 &n&ration

and

avirulent

propagation

derivatives

P. Coulon,

C. Derbin,

Laboratoire

de

of

the

CVS

in the central

strain

nervous

of

rabies

virus

and

its

system of adult mice.

F. Lafay and A. Flamand.

Genbtique

des

Virus,

91198

CNRS,

GIF

SUR

YVETTE

CEDEX,

FRANCE.

Penetration intramuscular

and

propagation

inoculation

of

the

l-5x105

of

CVS

PFU

strain

130 LD50)

was

or

studied

IO8 PFU

after

into

the

front and hind limbs of adult mice. We motor

found

and

that

sensory

the

virus

neurons

axon

at a speed in

transported central

of cell

back

body,

system

flows.

at least

giving

(SNC),

in sensory

exclusively

at

propagation

to (and into)

synapses.

and its avirulent

rise

periphery

The virus

moves

fate

of

this

the CNS are under

or attenuated

derivatives

82

endings

in the

spinal

anterograd from

transmission

bulb

and

cell

transmission

which

cord,

as

investigation. will be compared.

':he take are and

retrograd

bodies would

of

muscle.

tra.?scription

nucleocapsids

the

fast

Viral

ganglions.

The

by

cycle

secondary

propagate

nerve

to the cell body along

new

toward

and

not

and to

probably

does

into

a multiplication

Replication

1 mm/hr.

to the

nervous

axoplasmic bodies,

the

without

penetrates

the nucleocapsid

From the point of entry,

place

directly

to

cell

then occur

well

The CVS

as

the

strain