The prM-independent packaging of pseudotyped Japanese encephalitis virus

Virol J. 2009 Jul 30:6:115. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-115.

Abstract

As noted in other flaviviruses, the envelope (E) protein of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into target cells, thus eliciting neutralizing antibody response. The formation of the flavivirus prM/E complex is followed by the cleavage of precursor membrane (prM) and membrane (M) protein by a cellular signalase. To test the effect of prM in JEV biology, we constructed JEV-MuLV pseudotyped viruses that express the prM/E protein or E only. The infectivity and titers of JEV pseudotyped viruses were examined in several cell lines. We also analyzed the neutralizing capacities with anti-JEV sera from JEV-immunized mice. Even though prM is crucial for multiple stages of JEV biology, the JEV-pseudotyped viruses produced with prM/E or with E only showed similar infectivity and titers in several cell lines and similar neutralizing sensitivity. These results showed that JEV-MuLV pseudotyped viruses did not require prM for production of infectious pseudotyped viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dogs
  • Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / immunology
  • Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / physiology*
  • Virus Assembly*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • prM protein, Flavivirus