The Caliciviridae contains many viruses which are pathogenic to humans, marine mammals, domestic animals, and numerous species of wildlife. Currently there is no single assay to detect antigenic response to the multiple serotypes of calicivirus. The development of calicivirus specific synthetic peptides having highly conserved epitopes common to many serotypes would facilitate the development of a simple and rapid serologic assay for calicivirus antibodies irrespective of the serotype. Calicivirus cDNA recombinants which express fusion proteins that react with multiple calicivirus typing sera may be useful in the development of a serologic assay for antibodies to caliciviruses. For this purpose RNA was isolated from cell culture infected with San Miguel sea lion virus type 5 (SMSV-5) and used to construct a cDNA library, named SMSV-5 lambda. Immunoassay techniques were used to screen the SMSV-5 lambda library and a second cDNA library, named SMSV-5RT, also constructed from SMSV-5. One recombinant named 8-SN was identified which produced a fusion protein that reacted positively with a pool of four polyclonal calicivirus typing sera (SMSV-5, SMSV-13, SMSV-15, and SMSV-17). This construct was amplified, induced, and a fusion protein identified which reacted positively in four western blot assays using individual polyclonal typing sera to the caliciviruses SMSV-13, SMSV-15, SMSV-16, and SMSV-17. / Graduation date: 1997

Caliciviruses are single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. The viral genome is polyadenylated and 7-8 kb in length. Non-structural polypeptide coding sequences are located in the 5' region of the genome whereas structural polypeptide coding sequences are located at the 3' end. In addition the replication cycle involves the synthesis of at least one 3' co-terminal subgenomic RNA. The most important feature of calicivirus mRNA is the lack of a "cap" structure at the 5' end. The viral mRNA bears a 10-15 IcDa VPg protein linked to both genomic and sub-genomic RNAs. The lack of a 'cap' structure suggests that calicivirus mRNA is translated by a cap-independent mechanism. The aim of this project was to investigate the mechanism of translation initiation on feline calicivirus (FCV) mRNA. This was achieved by examining (i) the proposed role for the 15 IcDa VPg protein, as a 'cap analogue', and (ii) the interactions of cellular proteins to the 5' and 3' ends of the FCV genome. Firstly, expressed FCV VPg was purified and used to raise antisera in rabbits. The antisera were subsequently used to analyse proteins from FCV-infected CRFK cells. Secondly, pull-down and ELISA-based binding assays suggested interaction of recombinant FCV VPg with the canonical initiation factor eIF4E. Thirdly, studies of the interactions between cellular proteins and the 5' and 3' terminal ends of the FCV genome by UV cross-linking and oligo(dT) RNA-protein binding assays were conducted. Results suggested interaction of the 5' end of the FCV genome with proteins eIF4A, polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) and La, and eIF4A with the 3' end of the FCV genome. Based on the results of this work, this thesis proposes a model of the interactions between the FCV genome, VPg and cellular proteins in translation initiation.

No description available.

This report describes the partial characterization of the first cultivable calicivirus isolated from a European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), named rabbit calicivirus Oryctolagus-1 and abbreviated RaCv Ory-1. RaCv Ory-1 was isolated from juvenile feeder rabbits displaying symptoms of diarrhea. Absence of neutralization by type specific neutralizing antibodies for 40 caliciviruses and phylogenetic sequence comparisons among the caliciviruses of partial ORF1 and complete ORF2 and ORF3 sequences demonstrate that RaCv Ory-1 is a novel member of the marine calicivirus sub-group. Phylogenetic evaluation of the Caliciviridae indicates that analyses using pooled 3D-polymerase and capsid sequences are more statistically robust than identically executed analyses of single gene sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis of pooled 3D-polymerase and capsid a.a. sequences show canine calicivirus isolate 48 (CaCv-48) to be an intermediate species which forms a node approximately equidistant to the feline, marine, and Sapporo-like caliciviruses. RaCV Ory-1 is suggested as a possible cultivable model of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus. / Graduation date: 1999

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2005. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michele Hardy. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-133).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-328).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / "December 2007" The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, 2000? / Bibliography: leaves 106-128.

Graduation date: 1994

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-300).