Feline Morbillivirus: A Unique Pathogen Infecting Domestic Cats

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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