Identification of viral genes associated with the interferon-inducing phenotype of a synthetic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain

Haiyan Sun, Asit K. Pattnaik, Fernando A. Osorio, Hiep L X Vu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We recently generated a fully synthetic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain (designated as PRRSV-CON), which confers unprecedented levels of heterologous protection. We report herein that the synthetic PRRSV-CON possesses a unique phenotype in that it induces type-I interferons (IFNs) instead of suppressing these cytokines as most of the naturally occurring PRRSV isolates do. Through gain- and loss- of-function studies, the IFN-inducing phenotype of PRRSV-CON was mapped to the 3.3 kb genomic fragment encoding three viral nonstructural proteins: nsp1α, nsp1β and the N-terminal part of nsp2. Further studies indicated that a cooperation among these 3 proteins was required for effective induction of IFNs. Collectively, this study constitutes the first step toward understanding the mechanisms by which the synthetic PRRSV-CON confers heterologous protection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)313-321
Number of pages9
JournalVirology
Volume499
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016

Keywords

  • Innate immunity
  • PRRSV
  • Reverse genetics
  • Synthetic virus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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