Analysis of the structural proteins from the Musca domestica hytrosavirus with an emphasis on the major envelope protein

The Musca domestica hytrosavirus (MdHV), a member of the family Hyrosaviridae, is a large, dsDNA, enveloped virus that infects adult house flies and causes a diagnostic hypertrophy of the salivary gland. Herein, studies were directed at identifying key structural components of the viral envelope and nucleocapsid. SDS-PAGE of detergent-treated virus fractions identified protein bands unique to the envelope and nucleocapsid components. Using prior LC-MSMS data we identified the viral ORF associated with the major envelope band, cloned and expressed recombinant viral antigens, and prepared a series of polyclonal sera. Western blots confirmed that antibodies recognized the target viral antigen and provided evidence that the viral protein MdHV96 underwent post-translational processing; antibodies bound to the target high molecular weight parent molecule as well as distinct sets of smaller bands. Immuno gold electron microscopy demonstrated that the anti-MdHV96 sera recognized target antigens associated with the envelope. The nucleocapsids migrated from the virogenic stroma in the nucleus through the nuclear membrane into the cytoplasm, where they acquired an initial envelope that contained MdHV96. This major envelope protein, appeared to incorporate into intracellular membranes of both the caniculi and rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes and mediate binding to the nucleocapsids. Oral infection bioassays demonstrated that the anti-HV96 polyclonal sera acted as neutralizing agents in suppressing the levels of orally acquired infections.

Graphical abstractMuscavirus (MdHV) envelope protein is expressed by ORF 96, acquired in the cytoplasm (A), and involved in the oral infection process (B).Download full-size imageHighlights► Hytrosaviridae cause characteristic salivary gland hypertrophy in their host insects. ► We identified viral peptides associated with both the nucleocapsid and viral envelope. ► Antibodies against the major envelope protein were used to study viral morphogenesis. ► The antibodies were capable of neutralizing oral infectivity of this virus.