Molluscum Contagiosum Virus

Moss, B.

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum virus is a human poxvirus that causes lesions that can persist for months to years in the skin of healthy or immunodeficient individuals, particularly children. Infection with this virus is increasing and has become a troublesome complication for adults with AIDS. At present, there is no specific preventive or treatment for this disease. All attempts to culture this virus have failed, and little is known about it. The object of this project is to analyze the structure of the viral genome and determine its mode of expression and replication. Cloned DNA fragments representing the entire genome of molluscum contagiosum virus have been obtained, and sequencing has been initiated.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Type: Intramural Research (Z01)
• Project #: 1Z01AI000714-01
• Application #: 3746687
• Support Year: 1
• Fiscal Year: 1994

Institution

• Name: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Country: United States

Publications

Boutwell, Christian L; Rolland, Morgane M; Herbeck, Joshua T et al. (2010) Viral evolution and escape during acute HIV-1 infection. J Infect Dis 202 Suppl 2:S309-14

Shisler, J L; Moss, B (2001) Molluscum contagiosum virus inhibitors of apoptosis: The MC159 v-FLIP protein blocks Fas-induced activation of procaspases and degradation of the related MC160 protein. Virology 282:14-25

Xiang, Y; Moss, B (2001) Determination of the functional epitopes of human interleukin-18-binding protein by site-directed mutagenesis. J Biol Chem 276:17380-6

Xiang, Y; Moss, B (2001) Correspondence of the functional epitopes of poxvirus and human interleukin-18-binding proteins. J Virol 75:9947-54

Calderara, S; Xiang, Y; Moss, B (2001) Orthopoxvirus IL-18 binding proteins: affinities and antagonist activities. Virology 279:22-6

Moss, B; Shisler, J L; Xiang, Y et al. (2000) Immune-defense molecules of molluscum contagiosum virus, a human poxvirus. Trends Microbiol 8:473-7

Xiang, Y; Moss, B (1999) IL-18 binding and inhibition of interferon gamma induction by human poxvirus-encoded proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 96:11537-42