Biomaterial Database

Molecular analysis of viral RNAs in mice persistently infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. 1988

S J Francis, and P J Southern

Department of Immunology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California 92037.

Infection of newborn mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) results in a lifelong persistent infection. Persistently infected animals continuously produce low levels of infectious virus and accumulate large amounts of intracellular viral nucleic acid (P. J. Southern, P. Blount, and M. B. A. Oldstone, Nature [London] 312:555-558, 1984). We have used gel electrophoresis and hybridization techniques to analyze viral RNAs that appear during the establishment and maintenance of a persistent LCMV infection in vivo to identify any role for defective and/or defective interfering RNAs. We have found a complex, heterogeneously sized population of viral RNAs in multiple independent tissues that is uniquely associated with persistent infections in vivo, but we have not yet established whether these RNAs have a causal or a consequential association with persistent infection by LCMV. Within the complex virus RNA population, full-length genomic L and S RNAs were readily detectable and represented the most abundant individual viral RNA species. RNAs apparently corresponding in size to the viral nucleoprotein and glycoprotein mRNAs could also be detected in these tissue RNA samples. The presence of glycoprotein mRNA indicates a potential mechanism of posttranscriptional regulation to account for the previously documented restriction in viral glycoprotein expression in persistently infected mice (M. B. A. Oldstone and M. J. Buchmeier, Nature (London) 300:360-362, 1982).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008216	Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis	A form of meningitis caused by LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS VIRUS. MICE and other rodents serve as the natural hosts, and infection in humans usually occurs through inhalation or ingestion of infectious particles. Clinical manifestations include an influenza-like syndrome followed by stiff neck, alterations of mentation, ATAXIA, and incontinence. Maternal infections may result in fetal malformations and injury, including neonatal HYDROCEPHALUS, aqueductal stenosis, CHORIORETINITIS, and MICROCEPHALY. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, pp1-3)	Armstrong Syndrome,Armstrong's Syndrome,Encephalomyelitis, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus,Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Encephalomyelitis,Choriomeningitis, Lymphocytic,Syndrome, Armstrong,Syndrome, Armstrong's
D008217	Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus	The type species of ARENAVIRUS, part of the Old World Arenaviruses (ARENAVIRUSES, OLD WORLD), producing a silent infection in house and laboratory mice. In humans, infection with LCMV can be inapparent, or can present with an influenza-like illness, a benign aseptic meningitis, or a severe meningoencephalomyelitis. The virus can also infect monkeys, dogs, field mice, guinea pigs, and hamsters, the latter an epidemiologically important host.	LCM Viruses,LCMV,LCM Virus,Lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses
D008807	Mice, Inbred BALB C	An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in IMMUNOLOGY studies and cancer research.	BALB C Mice, Inbred,BALB C Mouse, Inbred,Inbred BALB C Mice,Inbred BALB C Mouse,Mice, BALB C,Mouse, BALB C,Mouse, Inbred BALB C,BALB C Mice,BALB C Mouse
D009693	Nucleic Acid Hybridization	Widely used technique which exploits the ability of complementary sequences in single-stranded DNAs or RNAs to pair with each other to form a double helix. Hybridization can take place between two complimentary DNA sequences, between a single-stranded DNA and a complementary RNA, or between two RNA sequences. The technique is used to detect and isolate specific sequences, measure homology, or define other characteristics of one or both strands. (Kendrew, Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology, 1994, p503)	Genomic Hybridization,Acid Hybridization, Nucleic,Acid Hybridizations, Nucleic,Genomic Hybridizations,Hybridization, Genomic,Hybridization, Nucleic Acid,Hybridizations, Genomic,Hybridizations, Nucleic Acid,Nucleic Acid Hybridizations
D004587	Electrophoresis, Agar Gel	Electrophoresis in which agar or agarose gel is used as the diffusion medium.	Electrophoresis, Agarose Gel,Agar Gel Electrophoresis,Agarose Gel Electrophoresis,Gel Electrophoresis, Agar,Gel Electrophoresis, Agarose
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005814	Genes, Viral	The functional hereditary units of VIRUSES.	Viral Genes,Gene, Viral,Viral Gene
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831	Animals, Newborn	Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth.	Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D012261	Ribonucleoproteins	Complexes of RNA-binding proteins with ribonucleic acids (RNA).	Ribonucleoprotein