The rabies virus genome: an overview (original) (raw)
Related papers
Whole-genome analysis of a human rabies virus from Sri Lanka
Archives of Virology, 2011
The complete genome sequence of a human rabies virus, strain H-08-1320, from Sri Lanka was determined and compared with other rabies viruses. The size of the genome was 11,926 nt, and it was composed of a 58-nucleotide 3 0 leader, five protein genes -N (1353 nt), P (894 nt), M (609 nt), G (1575 nt), and L (6387 nt) -and a 70-nt 5 0 trailer. The intergenic region G-L contained 515 nt. The sizes of the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, matrixprotein, glycoprotein and large-protein was 450, 296, 202, 524 and 2,128 residues, respectively. The phosphoprotein and large protein were one amino acid shorter and longer, respectively, than those of most rabies viruses. The glycoprotein of H-08-1320 had a unique amino acid substitution at antigenic site I. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis showed that strain H-08-1320 formed an independent lineage and did not cluster with rabies viruses from other countries.
Viruses
The rabies virus is a major zoonosis that causes severe nervous disease in humans, leading to paralysis and death. The world’s second anti-rabies center was established in 1888 by Victor Babeș, in Bucharest, where an eponymous strain of rabies was isolated and used to develop a method for immunization. The Babeș strain of the rabies virus was used for over 100 years in Romania to produce a rabies vaccine for human use, based on animal nerve tissue, thus having a proven history of prophylactic use. The present study aimed to sequence the whole genome of the Babeș strain and to explore its genetic relationships with other vaccine strains as well as to characterize its relevant molecular traits. After being adapted for multiplication in cell lines and designated BAB-TMP, 99% of the viral genome was sequenced. The overall organization of the genome is similar to that of other rabies vaccine strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the BAB-TMP strain is closely related to the Russia...
One-step protocol for amplification of near full-length cDNA of the rabies virus genome
Journal of Virological Methods, 2011
Full-length genome sequencing of the rabies virus is not a routine laboratory procedure. To understand fully the epidemiology, genetic variation and evolution of the rabies virus, full-length viral genomes need to be obtained. For rabies virus studies, cDNA synthesis is usually performed using nonspecific oligonucleotides followed by cloning. When specific primers are used, the cDNA obtained is only partial and is limited to the coding regions. Therefore, the development of methods for synthesizing long cDNA using rabies virus-specific primers is of fundamental importance. A new protocol for the synthesis of long cDNA and the development of 19 new primers are described in this study. This procedure allowed the efficient amplification of the full-length genome of the rabies virus variant maintained by hematophagous bat (Desmodus rotundus) populations following the synthesis of a complete long cDNA. Partial sequencing of the rabies virus genome was performed to confirm rabies-specific PCR amplification. Because degenerate primers were employed, this technique can be adapted easily to other variants. Importantly, this new method is faster and less expensive than cloning methods.► Full-length genome of the rabies virus is not a routine laboratory procedure. ► A new protocol for the synthesis of long cDNA and the development of 19 new primers. ► The efficient synthesis of a complete long cDNA was performed. ► This technique can be adapted easily to other variants. ► This new method is faster and less expensive than cloning methods.
In-silico molecular analysis of rabies virus across regions
Computational Molecular Biology, 2014
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Almost all human deaths caused by rabies occur in Asia and Africa. There are approximately 55000 human deaths annually from rabies worldwide. The disease affects domestic and wild animals and is spread to people through close contact with infected materials usually saliva via bites and scratches. The objective of this study wasi to determine the phylogenic structure of rabies viruses across species and geographical locations. A total of 22 Rabies virus sequences from 5 species (Dog, Cat, Cow, Wolf and Fox) across 8 locations (Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Niger, Brazil, Argentina and Texas) were obtained from the GenBank. A Neighbor-joining tree on the basis of genetic distances depicting phylogenetic relationship among Rabies viruses was constructed using the complete deletion and p-distance option using the MEGA VERSION 5 SOFTWARE. The phylogenic analysis revealeds a strong subdivision of rabies viruses by geographical location. The phylogenic groups also formed clusters associated with species from which the virus is isolated.
Nucleic Acids Research, 1986
We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the 3'region of the rabies genome (PV strain). This work is a first step in a project aimed at establishing the complete primary structure. From the 3'nucleotide sequence of the RNA genome, an octadecanucleotide complementary to the 3'extremity was constructed and used to prime cDNA synthesis. Two overlapping recombinant cDNA clones hybridizing with the nucleoprotein mRNA (NmRNA) were isolated and sequenced. The 1500 first nucleotides of the rabies genome cover two transcriptional units: the leader RNA and the NmRNA which was shown to be initiated around residue 59 by S1 nuclease protection experiments. Comparison between rabies PV and CVS strains up to residue 180 suggests a rapid evolution in the leader region. Studies of the sequence relationships between the 3'regions of two Rhabdoviruses, rabies virus and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), demonstrate that there is a segmented homology. Stretches of highly conserved amino acids possibly involved in the interaction with the RNA genome were observed in the N protein, despite a wide divergence in the remaining sequence. In addition, the high homology between the transcription start and stop signals reflects the conservation of a similar transcriptional mechanism in these two non segmented negative strand RNA viruses.
Walking along the rabies genome: is the large G-L intergenic region a remnant gene?
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1986
Rabies cDNA clones, obtained by "walking along the genome" using'two successive DNA primers, have allowed the sequence determination of the genes encoding the N, Ml, M2, G, and the beginning of the L protein as well as the rabies intergenic regions. Start and stop transcription signals located at the border of each gene encoding a protein have been identified and are similar to the corresponding signals from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Sendai virus. Except for
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2023
Background Rabies is the oldest fatal zoonotic disease recognised as a neglected tropical disease and is caused by an RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae. Methodology/Principal findings A deep molecular analysis was conducted on full-length nucleoprotein (N) gene and whole genome sequences of rabies virus from 37 animal brain samples collected between 2012 and 2017 to study the circulation of rabies virus (RABV) variants. The overall aim was to better understand their distribution in Moldova and northeastern Romania. Both Sanger and high throughput sequencing on Ion Torrent and Illumina platforms were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of the RABV sequences from both Moldova and Romania revealed that all the samples (irrespective of the year of isolation and the species) belonged to a single phylogenetic group: northeastern Europe (NEE), clustering into three assigned lineages: RO#5, RO#6 and RO#7. Conclusions/Significance High throughput sequencing of RABV samples from domestic and wild animals was performed for the first time for both countries, providing new insights into virus evolution PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES