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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Virol / Equine arteritis virus is not a togavirus but belongs to the...
Journal of virology1991; 65(6); 2910-2920; doi: 10.1128/JVI.65.6.2910-2920.1991

Equine arteritis virus is not a togavirus but belongs to the coronaviruslike superfamily.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of the genome of equine arteritis virus (EAV) was determined from a set of overlapping cDNA clones and was found to contain eight open reading frames (ORFs). ORFs 2 through 7 are expressed from six 3'-coterminal subgenomic mRNAs, which are transcribed from the 3'-terminal quarter of the viral genome. A number of these ORFs are predicted to encode structural EAV proteins. The organization and expression of the 3' part of the EAV genome are remarkably similar to those of coronaviruses and toroviruses. The 5'-terminal three-quarters of the genome contain the putative EAV polymerase gene, which also shares a number of features with the corresponding gene of corona- and toroviruses. The gene contains two large ORFs, ORF1a and ORF1b, with an overlap region of 19 nucleotides. The presence of a "shifty" heptanucleotide sequence in this region and a downstream RNA pseudoknot structure indicate that ORF1b is probably expressed by ribosomal frameshifting. The frameshift-directing potential of the ORF1a/ORF1b overlap region was demonstrated by using a reporter gene. Moreover, the predicted ORF1b product was found to contain four domains which have been identified in the same relative positions in coronavirus and torovirus ORF1b products. The sequences of the EAV and coronavirus ORF1a proteins were found to be much more diverged. The EAV ORF1a product contains a putative trypsinlike serine protease motif. Our data indicate that EAV, presently considered a togavirus, is evolutionarily related to viruses from the coronaviruslike superfamily.
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Publication Date: 1991-06-01 PubMed ID: 1851863PubMed Central: PMC240924DOI: 10.1128/JVI.65.6.2910-2920.1991Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on discovering the characteristics and the structure of the equine arteritis virus (EAV). This study turns the common belief about taxonomy of EAV upside down – rather than being part of the Togaviridae family, it claims that EAV fits better within the superfamily the coronaviruses belong to.

Determining the Genome Sequence

Researchers were able to determine the nucleotide sequence of EAV’s genome using overlapping cDNA clones. Through this, they discovered that the genome contained eight open reading frames (ORFs), proteins that potentially encode for other proteins.

  • ORFs 2 through 7 are expressed from six 3′-coterminal subgenomic mRNAs.
  • These mRNAs are transcribed from the 3′-terminal quarter of the EAV genome.
  • Several of these ORFs, expressed from the 3′-terminal quarter, are anticipated to encode structural EAV proteins.

Similarities with Coronaviruses

The organization and expression patterns found in the 3′ part of the EAV genome are strikingly similar to those of coronaviruses and toroviruses.

  • The 5′-terminal three-quarters of the genome contain the presumed EAV polymerase gene, which also has similarities with the corresponding gene of corona- and toroviruses in several aspects.
  • The gene contains two large ORFs, ORF1a and ORF1b, with overlapping regions of 19 nucleotides.
  • A “shifty” heptanucleotide sequence in this region, together with a downstream RNA pseudoknot structure, suggests that ORF1b is likely expressed by ribosomal frameshifting.
  • The possibility of frameshift was then demonstrated by using a reporter gene.

In addition to these points, researchers found that the derived product of ORF1b contains four domains appearing in the same relative positions as in coronavirus and torovirus ORF1b products.

Divergence in Protein Sequences

Though there are several similarities, one divergence was found in sequences of EAV and coronavirus’ ORF1a proteins, which were discovered to be significantly different from each other.

  • EAV ORF1a product contains a putative trypsinlike serine protease motif.

This research implies an evolutionary link between EAV and the coronavirus superfamily, indicating that EAV likely does not belong to the togavirus family as traditionally thought.

Cite This Article

APA
den Boon JA, Snijder EJ, Chirnside ED, de Vries AA, Horzinek MC, Spaan WJ. (1991). Equine arteritis virus is not a togavirus but belongs to the coronaviruslike superfamily. J Virol, 65(6), 2910-2920. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.65.6.2910-2920.1991

Publication

Journal of virology
ISSN: 0022-538X
NlmUniqueID: 0113724
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 6
Pages: 2910-2920

Researcher Affiliations

den Boon, J A
  • Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Snijder, E J
    Chirnside, E D
      de Vries, A A
        Horzinek, M C
          Spaan, W J

            MeSH Terms

            • Amino Acid Sequence
            • Base Sequence
            • Biological Evolution
            • Coronaviridae / genetics
            • DNA, Viral / chemistry
            • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
            • Equartevirus / genetics
            • Equartevirus / growth & development
            • Gene Expression
            • HeLa Cells / microbiology
            • Humans
            • Molecular Sequence Data
            • Open Reading Frames
            • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
            • Ribosomes / metabolism
            • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry
            • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
            • Togaviridae / genetics
            • Virion / genetics
            • Virus Replication

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