The morphology and morphogenesis of jaagsiekte retrovirus (JSRV)

Abstract

Jaagsiekte retrovirus (JSRV) was recently shown to be the aetiological agent of jaagsiekte (ovine pulmonary adenomatosis). The morphogenesis of JSRV was studied in jaagsiekte tumour tissue. Intracytoplasmic particles, often associated with centrioles, were found in tumour cells. JSRV budded from tumour cells with a complete core which appeared to mature during the budding process. Extracellular particles were found in the alveolar lumen. Immature extracellular particles were rare. Mature extracellular JSRV was membrane-bound and had a slightly eccentric nucleoid with an electron-dense perinucleoidal space. In negatively stained preparations of JSRV the envelope was covered with spikes. JSRV is morphologically distinct from all known retroviruses.