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Journal of Virology, March 2004, p. 2445-2453, Vol. 78, No. 5
0022-538X/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JVI.78.5.2445-2453.2004

African Swine Fever Virus Multigene Family 360 Genes Affect Virus Replication and Generalization of Infection in Ornithodoros porcinus Ticks

T. G. Burrage, Z. Lu, J. G. Neilan, D. L. Rock, and L. Zsak*

Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Greenport, New York 11944-0848

Received 7 August 2003/ Accepted 29 October 2003

Recently, we reported that African swine fever virus (ASFV) multigene family (MGF) 360 and 530 genes are significant swine macrophage host range determinants that function by promoting infected-cell survival. To examine the function of these genes in ASFV's arthropod host, Ornithodoros porcinus porcinus, an MGF360/530 gene deletion mutant (Pr4{Delta}35) was constructed from an ASFV isolate of tick origin, Pr4. Pr4{Delta}35 exhibited a significant growth defect in ticks. The deletion of six MGF360 and two MGF530 genes from Pr4 markedly reduced viral replication in infected ticks 100- to 1,000-fold. To define the minimal set of MGF360/530 genes required for tick host range, additional gene deletion mutants lacking individual or multiple MGF genes were constructed. The deletion mutant Pr4{Delta}3-C2, which lacked three MGF360 genes (3HL, 3Il, and 3LL), exhibited reduced viral growth in ticks. Pr4{Delta}3-C2 virus titers in ticks were significantly reduced 100- to 1,000-fold compared to control values at various times postinfection. In contrast to the parental virus, with which high levels of virus replication were observed in the tissues of infected adults, Pr4{Delta}3-C2 replication was not detected in the midgut, hemolymph, salivary gland, coxal gland, or reproductive organs at 15 weeks postinfection. These data indicate that ASFV MGF360 genes are significant tick host range determinants and that they are required for efficient virus replication and generalization of infection. The impaired virus replication of Pr4{Delta}3-C2 in the tick midgut likely accounts for the absence of the generalized infection that is necessary for the natural transmission of virus from ticks to pigs.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Plum Island Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, NY 11944-0848. Phone: (631) 323-3023. Fax: (631) 323-2507. E-mail: lzsak{at}piadc.ars.usda.gov.

Journal of Virology, March 2004, p. 2445-2453, Vol. 78, No. 5
0022-538X/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JVI.78.5.2445-2453.2004




This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Chapman, D. A. G., Tcherepanov, V., Upton, C., Dixon, L. K. (2008). Comparison of the genome sequences of non-pathogenic and pathogenic African swine fever virus isolates. J. Gen. Virol. 89: 397-408 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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