HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Caravokyri, C. Articles by Pringle, C. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Caravokyri, C. Articles by Pringle, C. R. Agricola Articles by Caravokyri, C. Articles by Pringle, C. R.

Defective synthesis of envelope proteins by temperature-sensitive mutants representing complementation groups B and D of respiratory syncytial virus

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.

The phenotypes of two complementing temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus indicate that the mutational lesions involve the attachment (G) and matrix (M) proteins of the viral envelope. Synthesis of the G protein was affected in cells infected with mutant tsA2 (complementation group B); the p50 precursor of the G protein was synthesized normally, but further maturation to the fully glycosylated form was defective at 39 °C. A non-ts alteration in the efficiency of cleavage of the F₀ precursor to the F₁ and F₂ subunits of the fusion protein was also observed in tsA2-infected cells, which is consistent with the aberrant non-syncytial plaque morphology induced by tsA2 in certain cells. In cells infected with mutant tsN1 (complementation group D) the M protein disappeared from the soluble cytoplasmic fraction soon after synthesis at 39 °C and had a slightly decreased electrophoretic mobility. The M protein of non-ts revertants was stable at 39 °C, which links the defect in M protein stability with the tsN1 phenotype. However, the aberrant mobility phenotype remained, suggesting pseudoreversion. These results assign two of the eight complementation groups of ts mutants of RS virus.

Received 22 February 1991; accepted 19 June 1991.