Mutation of Basic Residues R283, R286, and K288 in the Matrix Protein of Newcastle Disease Virus Attenuates Viral Replication and Pathogenicity

The matrix (M) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) contains large numbers of unevenly distributed basic residues, but the precise function of most basic residues in the M protein remains enigmatic. We previously demonstrated that the C-terminus (aa 264–313) of M protein interacted with the extra-terminal (ET) domain of chicken bromodomain-containing protein 2 (chBRD2), which promoted NDV replication by downregulating chBRD2 expression and facilitating viral RNA synthesis and transcription. However, the key amino acid sites determining M’s interaction with chBRD2/ET and their roles in the replication and pathogenicity of NDV are not known. In this study, three basic residues—R283, R286, and K288—in the NDV M protein were verified to be responsible for its interaction with chBRD2/ET. In addition, mutation of these basic residues (R283A/R286A/K288A) in the M protein changed its electrostatic pattern and abrogated the decreased expression of endogenic chBRD2. Moreover, a recombinant virus harboring these mutations resulted in a pathotype change of NDV and attenuated viral replication and pathogenicity in chickens due to the decreased viral RNA synthesis and transcription. Our findings therefore provide a better understanding of the crucial biological functions of M’s basic residues and also aid in understanding the poorly understood pathogenesis of NDV.