Aquareovirus Effects Syncytiogenesis by Using a Novel Member of the FAST Protein Family Translated from a Noncanonical Translation Start Site

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00171-09
• Publication Date: 2009-03-19T01:09:14Z
• Authors: Trina Racine; Tara Hurst; Chris Barry; Jingyun Shou; Frederick Kibenge; Roy Duncan
• Keywords: Syncytium

As nonenveloped viruses, the aquareoviruses and orthoreoviruses are unusual in their ability to induce cell-cell fusion syncytium formation. While an extraordinary family of fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins is responsible for orthoreovirus syncytiogenesis, basis aquareovirus-induced syncytiogenesis unknown. We now report that S7 genome segment Atlantic salmon reovirus polycistronic uses a noncanonical CUG translation start codon produce 22-kDa integral membrane protein syncytiogenesis. The aquareovirus p22 represents fourth distinct member FAST with unique repertoire arrangement structural motifs.