Double-stranded RNA virus in Korean isolate IH-2 of Trichomonas vaginalis

Korean J Parasitol. 2007 Jun;45(2):87-94. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2007.45.2.87.

Abstract

In this study, we describe Korean isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis infected with double-stranded (ds) RNA virus (TVV). One T. vaginalis isolate infected with TVV IH-2 evidenced weak pathogenicity in the mouse assay coupled with the persistent presence of a dsRNA, thereby indicating a hypovirulence effect of dsRNA in T. vaginalis. Cloning and sequence analysis results revealed that the genomic dsRNA of TVV IH-2 was 4,647 bp in length and evidenced a sequence identity of 80% with the previously-described TVV 1-1 and 1-5, but only a 42% identity with TVV 2-1 and 3 isolates. It harbored 2 overlapping open reading frames of the putative capsid protein and dsRNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). As previously observed in the TVV isolates 1-1 and 1-5, a conserved ribosomal slippage heptamer (CCUUUUU) and its surrounding sequence context within the consensus 14-nt overlap implied the gene expression of a capsid protein-RdRp fusion protein, occurring as the result of a potential ribosomal frameshift event. The phylogenetic analysis of RdRp showed that the Korean TVV IH-2 isolate formed a compact group with TVV 1-1 and 1-5 isolates, which was divergent from TVV 2-1, 3 and other viral isolates classified as members of the Giardiavirus genus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / parasitology
  • Abscess / pathology
  • Animals
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Frameshifting, Ribosomal
  • Giardiavirus / classification
  • Giardiavirus / genetics
  • Giardiavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Korea
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • Trichomonas Infections / virology*
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / genetics
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / isolation & purification
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / pathogenicity
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / virology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Viral
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ270032