View source for Feline Morbillivirus: A Unique Pathogen Infecting Domestic Cats

'''Authors:''' Sham Nambullia, Linda J. Rennick, Andrew S. Acciardo, Natasha L. Tilston-Lunel, Gregory Hoc, Nicholas A. Crossland, Kathy Hardcastle, Betsy Nieto, Graeme Bainbridge, Tracey Williams, Claire R. Sharp, W. Paul Dupre

'''Year:''' 2024

'''Journal:''' Journal Name not provided in the text

'''DOI:''' 10.xxxx/xxxxx or null (not provided in the text)

'''PMID:''' PMID or null (not provided in the text)

=== Summary ===
This paper investigates a newly discovered pathogen, Feline Morbillivirus (FeMV), affecting domestic cats. The study determines the complete sequence of FeMV and reveals unique characteristics that differ from other morbilliviruses. FeMV uses a different protease to furin for processing its fusion glycoprotein and employs feline CD150 as a cellular receptor, making it distinct among morbilliviruses. The study also develops a reverse genetics system for FeMV and demonstrates that it causes an acute morbillivirus-like disease in cats.

=== Key Findings ===
* FeMV lacks the canonical polybasic furin cleavage signal in the fusion (F) glycoprotein
* Conserved amino acids in the hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein used by other morbilliviruses for binding and/or fusion activation with the cellular receptor CD150 are absent in FeMV
* FeMV H glycoprotein uses feline CD150 as a receptor and cannot use human CD150
* The protease responsible for cleaving the FeMV F glycoprotein is a cathepsin, making FeMV unique among morbilliviruses
* FeMV causes an acute morbillivirus-like disease in cats and sheds light on its possible role in the development of chronic kidney disease

=== Methodology ===
* '''Study Type:''' Experimental/Molecular Biology
* '''Sample Size:''' 1 unpassaged clinical isolate
* '''Geographic Focus:''' Not specified
* '''Time Period:''' Not specified

=== Topics ===
Virology, Epidemiology

=== Relevance ===
This paper investigates a newly discovered pathogen affecting domestic cats, which may be related to the etiology of feline chronic kidney disease, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cats.

=== Source ===
View the entire paper: [[File:pnas.202209405.pdf]]