CORONAVIRUS STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $59,718 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

The long term objectives are to (1) understand the molecular details of coronavirus structure and replication, (2) develop cloned genes (DNA copies of the viral RNA genes) to be used for (i) probes to examine virus replication, (ii) improved methods of virus diagnosis, and (iii) improved vaccines, and (3) understand the mechanism(s) of persistent coronavirus infection in chronic human disease, especially chronic intestinal disease. The specific aims of this proposal are the following: (1) To complete the cDNA cloning and to establish the primary sequence for as much as possible of the remaining portion (18 Kb) of the genome (20 Kb) for each the porcine transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) and the bovine enteric coronavirus (BCV). For this, synthetic oligonucleotides of now established sequences will be used to prime cDNA synthesis of the genome for further cloning. Sequencing will employ both the Maxam and Gilbert, and Sanger methods. Protein sequences will be deduced and concensus sequences, particularly at intergenic regions, will be sought. (2) To isolate the intracellular mRNA sequences for each TGEV and BVC and (a) translate them to identify their protein products, and (b) sequence their 5' terminal regions to (i) establish a gene map, and (ii) identify potential transcriptional control sequences. (3) To continue a concentrated characterization of the genetics, structure, synthesis, and glycosylation of the BCV hemagglutinin glycoprotein (gp 140). Continued work on TGEV and BVC as model enteric coronaviruses is needed because, (1) both are important pathogens in animals and some evidence suggests that they both may be zoonotic, (2) each is closely related to a different human respiratory coronavirus, (3) human enteric coronaviruses cannot yet be readily cultured in vitro, and (4) each possesses unique structural features so far not described in the highly studied murine or avian coronaviruses, namely, (a) 10 polyadenylated intracellular RNA species for TGEV, and (b) an unusual dimeric glycoprotein of 14O Kd (gp140, the hemagglutinin) for BCV.

Key facts

NIH application ID
3125715
Project number
5R01AI014367-08
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE
SAM.gov UEI
FN2YCS2YAUW3
Principal Investigator
David Alvin Brian
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
1987
Award amount
$59,718
Award type
5
Project period
1977-07-01 → 1989-08-31