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    Total infectome investigation of diphtheritic stomatitis in yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) reveals a novel and abundant megrivirus.
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-11-01) Wierenga JR; Grimwood RM; Taylor HS; Hunter S; Argilla LS; Webster T; Lim L; French R; Schultz H; Jorge F; Bostina M; Burga L; Swindells-Wallace P; Holmes EC; McInnes K; Morgan KJ; Geoghegan JL
    First identified in 2002, diphtheritic stomatitis (DS) is a devastating disease affecting yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes, or hoiho in te reo Māori). The disease is associated with oral lesions in chicks and has caused significant morbidity and mortality. DS is widespread among yellow-eyed penguin chicks on mainland New Zealand yet appears to be absent from the subantarctic population. Corynebacterium spp. have previously been suspected as causative agents yet, due to inconsistent cultures and inconclusive pathogenicity, their role in DS is unclear. Herein, we used a metatranscriptomic approach to identify potential causative agents of DS by revealing the presence and abundance of all viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa - together, the infectome. Oral and cloacal swab samples were collected from presymptomatic, symptomatic and recovered chicks along with a control group of healthy adults. Two novel viruses from the Picornaviridae were identified, one of which - yellow-eyed penguin megrivirus - was highly abundant in chicks irrespective of health status but not detected in healthy adults. Tissue from biopsied oral lesions also tested positive for the novel megrivirus upon PCR. We found no overall clustering among bacteria, protozoa and fungi communities at the genus level across samples, although Paraclostridium bifermentans was significantly more abundant in oral microbiota of symptomatic chicks compared to other groups. The detection of a novel and highly abundant megrivirus has sparked a new line of inquiry to investigate its potential association with DS.
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    Characterisation of an interaction involved in viral replication : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2010) Claridge, Jolyon
    Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a major cause of illness worldwide and, as members of Picornaviridae, are closely related to several other human and animal pathogens that exact a large medical and economic cost on society. Viral infections in general are particularly difficult to treat, as viruses co-opt many of the host’s own biochemical pathways, making disabling the virus without harming the host very difficult. Carefully targeted strategies are required and detailed structural information is useful, both to identify new drug targets, and to fully understand interactions. One particular protein expressed by picornaviruses is 3C protease, which is responsible for post-translational processing of the viral capsid. This protease has a cysteine as its active site nucleophile, a functionality not found in eukaryotic proteases. The unusual active site makes 3C an attractive target for pharmaceuticals. Drugs that block the proteolytic action of 3C are currently in clinical trials. In addition to its proteolytic activity, 3C protease also has another function, that of an RNA binding protein. This activity has been shown to be required during replication of the viral RNA genome. In this study, the structure of 3C protease from HRV14 is investigated using NMR and other biophysical techniques. The structural information gained from these studies is used, along with data on 3C protease RNA-binding activity acquired using solution-state NMR and SAXS data, to elucidate a structure of the 3C–RNA complex. In addition, the dynamics of the free protein and of the protein in the presence of a specific inhibitor are investigated by solution-state NMR, and the potential role of dynamics in the function of the protein is explored. Finally, potential allosteric interaction between the RNA-binding and proteolytic functions of 3C is postulated, and further interactions of 3C and the 3C–RNA complex are discussed. It is hoped that a more complete understanding of 3C and its interactions will lead to more effective treatments for picornaviral infections in the future.