MECHANISMS OF MOUSE HEPATITIS VIRUS HOST RANGE EXPANSION

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The model coronavirus Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) is dependent upon its Spike protein for target cell binding. Once bound, Spike directs subsequent virus-cell membrane fusion thus leading to entry and by extension regulating host range. Spike protein displays the features of a Class I fusion protein, similar to the fusion proteins of Influenza. Prior research with MHV and other Class I viruses has demonstrated that mutations in and adjacent to conserved heptad repeat regions (regions vital to the fusion process) can lead to altered host range. The hypothesis is that the Spike protein has an inherent "slack" in the fusion mechanism that may be exposed under certain selective environments leading to altered host range. This project has two goals. The first is to examine the biochemical properties of Spike proteins from previously isolated MHV host range mutants. The second will examine what, if any, mutations result when selective pressure is applied to the heptad repeats using a fusion inhibiting peptide, similar to the drug Fuzeon. By combining these studies, a clearer picture of how MHV can cross the species barrier should be developed and possibly extended to other Class I viruses.