Mosquito densonucleosis virus non-structural protein NS2 is necessary for a productive infection

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2008-04, Vol.374 (1), p.128-137
• Main Authors: Azarkh, Eugene, Robinson, Erin, Hirunkanokpun, Supanee, Afanasiev, Boris, Kittayapong, Pattamaporn, Carlson, Jonathan, Corsini, Joe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Amino Acid Substitution - genetics; AMINO ACIDS; Animals; ANTIBODIES; Brevidensovirus; Cell Line; Cell Nucleus - chemistry; Culicidae; Culicidae - virology; Cytoplasm - chemistry; Densovirinae - genetics; Densovirinae - physiology; Densovirus; FLUORESCENCE; fluorescent antibody technique; Gene Deletion; IMMUNE SERUMS; Immuno-fluorescent assay; Infectious Disease; Microbial Viability - genetics; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mosquito densonucleosis viruses; MOSQUITOES; MUTATIONS; Non-structural proteins; nuclear localization signal; Parvoviridae; pathogenesis; PEPTIDES; TIME DEPENDENCE; Time Factors; Viral Nonstructural Proteins - analysis; Viral Nonstructural Proteins - genetics; Viral Nonstructural Proteins - physiology; viral proteins; Virus Replication - genetics; VIRUSES; Western analysis; Western blotting
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.11.035

Abstract Mosquito densonucleosis viruses synthesize two non-structural proteins, NS1 and NS2. While NS1 has been studied relatively well, little is known about NS2. Antiserum was raised against a peptide near the N-terminus of NS2, and used to conduct Western blot analysis and immuno-fluorescence assays. Western blots revealed a prominent band near the expected size (41 kDa). Immuno-fluorescence studies of mosquito cells transfected with Ae DNV indicate that NS2 has a wider distribution pattern than does NS1, and the distribution pattern appears to be a function of time post-infection. Nuclear localization of NS2 requires intact C-terminus but does not require additional viral proteins. Mutations ranging from complete NS2 knock-out to a single missense amino acid substitution in NS2 can significantly reduce viral replication and production of viable progeny.