Infection of a single cell line with distinct strains of human cytomegalovirus can result in large variations in virion production and facilitate efficient screening of virus protein function

Anamaria G. Zavala, John M. O'Dowd, Elizabeth A. Fortunato

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previously, we reported that the absence of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, a critical DNA damage response (DDR) signaling component for double-strand breaks, caused no change in HCMV Towne virion production. Later, others reported decreased AD169 viral titers in the absence of ATM. To address this discrepancy, human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) and three ATM- lines (GM02530, GM05823, and GM03395) were infected with both Towne and AD169. Two additional ATM- lines (GM02052 and GM03487) were infected with Towne. Remarkably, both previous studies' results were confirmed. However, the increased number of cell lines and infections with both lab-adapted strains confirmed that ATM was not necessary to produce wild-type-level titers in fibroblasts. Instead, interactions between individual virus strains and the cellular microenvironment of the individual ATM- line determined efficiency of virion production. Surprisingly, these two commonly used lab-adapted strains produced drastically different titers in one ATM- cell line, GM05823. The differences in titer suggested a rapid method for identifying genes involved in differential virion production. In silico comparison of the Towne and AD169 genomes determined a list of 28 probable candidates responsible for the difference. Using serial iterations of an experiment involving virion entry and input genome nuclear trafficking with a panel of related strains, we reduced this list to four (UL129, UL145, UL147, and UL148). As a proof of principle, reintroduction of UL148 largely rescued genome trafficking. Therefore, use of a battery of related strains offers an efficient method to narrow lists of candidate genes affecting various virus life cycle checkpoints.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2523-2535
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Virology
Volume90
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Infection of a single cell line with distinct strains of human cytomegalovirus can result in large variations in virion production and facilitate efficient screening of virus protein function'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this