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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288006
Title: Characterization of ovine Nectin-4, a novel peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) receptor

Author
item BIRCH, JAMIE - Pirbright Laboratory
item JULEFF, NICKOLAS - Pirbright Laboratory
item Heaton, Michael - Mike
item KALBFLEISCH, TED - University Of Louisville
item KIJAS, JAMES - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item BAILEY, DALAN - Pirbright Laboratory

Submitted to: Journal of Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2013
Publication Date: 2/6/2013
Citation: Birch, J., Juleff, N., Heaton, M.P., Kalbfleisch, T., Kijas, J., Bailey, D. 2013. Characterization of ovine Nectin-4, a novel peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) receptor. Journal of Virology. 87(8):4756-4761.

Interpretive Summary: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), also known as ovine rinderpest, is a fast growing and economically important disease of sheep and goats in developing countries. PPR is caused by a highly contagious virus that may kill up to 90% of the affected flock. The disease is currently found across Africa, the Middle-East, the Indian subcontinent and is spreading. Understanding the mechanisms by which the virus attacks small ruminants is important for controlling and preventing the spread of disease. Our study confirmed the identity and function of the PPR virus receptors in allowing infection in sheep. We also showed there are differences between sheep in their PPR virus receptors, although the effect of these differences are presently unknown.

Technical Abstract: Small ruminants infected with peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) exhibit lesions typical of epithelial infection and necrosis. However, the only established host receptor for this virus is the immune cell marker signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM). We have confirmed that the ovine Nectin-4 protein, when over-expressed in epithelial cells, permits efficient replication of PPRV. Furthermore, this gene was predominantly expressed in epithelial tissues and encoded by multiple haplotypes in sheep breeds from around the world.