Identification and localization of the structural proteins of anguillid herpesvirus 1

Steven J Van Beurden,Peter Jm Rottier,Baptiste Leroy,Sjef Boeren,Ben Ph Peeters,Olga Lm Haenen,Ruddy Wattiez,Marc Y Engelsma,Jacques Jm Vervoort,Alain F Vanderplasschen

doi:10.1186/1297-9716-42-105

Abstract

Many of the known fish herpesviruses have important aquaculture species as their natural host, and may cause serious disease and mortality. Anguillid herpesvirus 1 (AngHV-1) causes a hemorrhagic disease in European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Despite their importance, fundamental molecular knowledge on fish herpesviruses is still limited. In this study we describe the identification and localization of the structural proteins of AngHV-1. Purified virions were fractionated into a capsid-tegument and an envelope fraction, and premature capsids were isolated from infected cells. Proteins were extracted by different methods and identified by mass spectrometry. A total of 40 structural proteins were identified, of which 7 could be assigned to the capsid, 11 to the envelope, and 22 to the tegument. The identification and localization of these proteins allowed functional predictions. Our findings include the identification of the putative capsid triplex protein 1, the predominant tegument protein, and the major antigenic envelope proteins. Eighteen of the 40 AngHV-1 structural proteins had sequence homologues in related Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3). Conservation of fish herpesvirus structural genes seemed to be high for the capsid proteins, limited for the tegument proteins, and low for the envelope proteins. The identification and localization of the structural proteins of AngHV-1 in this study adds to the fundamental knowledge of members of the Alloherpesviridae family, especially of the Cyprinivirus genus.

Highlights

The Alloherpesviridae family, belonging to the Herpesvirales order comprises all bony fish and amphibian herpesviruses [1]
Several highly abundant proteins showed some overspill in fractions where the proteins were not Conclusions The identification and localization of the structural proteins of Anguillid herpesvirus 1 (AngHV-1) in this study adds to the fundamental knowledge of members of the Alloherpesviridae family, especially for the known members of the related Cyprinivirus genus
The localization and putative function of the identified AngHV-1 structural proteins can be extrapolated for homologous genes in other alloherpersviruses

Summary

Introduction

The Alloherpesviridae family, belonging to the Herpesvirales order comprises all bony fish and amphibian herpesviruses [1]. The family contains 4 genera with 11 species [2]. At least another 17 herpesviruses infecting bony fish have been described, but have not yet been sufficiently characterized to allow classification [1,3,4]. Many of these viruses cause serious disease and mortality in their respective host species, many of which are important aquaculture species. Channel catfish virus or Ictalurid herpesvirus 1 (IcHV-1) may cause up to 100% mortality in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings, which posed a significant problem in the big catfish aquaculture industry in the United States [5]. Koi herpesvirus or Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is another highly contagious and virulent disease in its host species common carp and koi

Methods

Results

Conclusion