# CORONAVIRUS STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE · 1987 · $59,718

## 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 organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FN2YCS2YAUW3
- **Principal Investigator:** David Alvin Brian
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $59,718
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-07-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125715, CORONAVIRUS STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION (5R01AI014367-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125715. Licensed CC0.

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