Autor(es): Saxton-Shaw Kali D, Ledermann Jeremy P, Borland Erin M, Stovall Janae L, Mossel Eric C, Singh Amber J, Wilusz Jeffrey, Powers Ann M

Resumo: O'nyong nyong virus (ONNV) - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are two closely related alphaviruses with very different infection patterns in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. ONNV is the only alphavirus transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes, but specific molecular determinants of infection of this unique vector specificity remain unidentified. Fifteen distinct chimeric viruses were constructed to evaluate both structural - non-structural regions of the genome - infection patterns were determined through artificial infectious feeds in An. gambiae with each of these chimeras. Only one region, non-structural protein 3 (nsP3), was sufficient to up-regulate infection to rates similar to those seen with parental ONNV. When ONNV non-structural protein 3 (nsP3) replaced nsP3 from CHIKV virus in one of the chimeric viruses, infection rates in An. gambiae went from 0% to 63.5%. No other single gene or viral region addition was able to restore infection rates. Thus, we have shown that a non-structural genome element involved in viral replication is a major element involved in ONNV's unique vector specificity.

Imprenta: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 7, n. 1, p. e1931, 2013

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001931

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Biosynthesis ; Chikungunya virus - Genome ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Proteins ; Chikungunya virus - Infectious diseases ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de publicação: 2013

INDICADORES

ACESSO