Deletion of M2 gene open reading frames 1 and 2 of human metapneumovirus: effects on RNA synthesis, attenuation, and immunogenicity.

ABSTRACT: The M2 gene of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) contains two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), M2-1 and M2-2. The expression of separate M2-1 and M2-2 proteins from these ORFs was confirmed, and recombinant HMPVs were recovered in which expression of M2-1 and M2-2 was ablated individually or together [rdeltaM2-1, rdeltaM2-2, and rdeltaM2(1+2)]. Each M2 mutant virus directed efficient multicycle growth in Vero cells. The ability to recover HMPV lacking M2-1 contrasts with human respiratory syncytial virus, for which M2-1 is an essential transcription factor. Expression of the downstream HMPV M2-2 ORF was not reduced when translation of the upstream M2-1 ORF was silenced, indicating that it is initiated separately. The rdeltaM2-2 mutants exhibited a two- to fivefold increase in the accumul

SUBMITTER: Buchholz UJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1112115 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature