Structure-function relationship in the 'termination upstream ribosomal binding site' of the calicivirus rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus.

Caliciviruses use a termination/reinitiation mechanism for translation of their minor capsid protein VP2. A sequence element of about 80 nucleotides denoted 'termination upstream ribosomal binding site' (TURBS) is crucial for reinitiation. RNA secondary structure probing and computer aided secondary structure prediction revealed a rather low degree of secondary structure determinants for the TURBS of the rabbit hermorrhagic disease virus.

Interferon-Stimulated Gene (ISG)-Expression Screening Reveals the Specific Antibunyaviral Activity of ISG20.

Bunyaviruses pose a significant threat to human health, prosperity, and food security. In response to viral infections, interferons (IFNs) upregulate the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), whose cumulative action can potently inhibit the replication of bunyaviruses. We used a flow cytometry-based method to screen the ability of ∼500 unique ISGs from humans and rhesus macaques to inhibit the replication of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (BUNV), the prototype of both the family and the order.

Sensitivity to BST-2 restriction correlates with Orthobunyavirus host range.

Orthobunyaviruses include several recently emerging viruses of significant medical and veterinary importance. There is currently very limited understanding on what determines the host species range of these pathogens. In this study we discovered that BST-2/tetherin restricts orthobunyavirus replication in a host-specific manner.

The Rift Valley fever accessory proteins NSm and P78/NSm-GN are distinct determinants of virus propagation in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an enzootic virus circulating in Africa that is transmitted to its vertebrate host by a mosquito vector and causes severe clinical manifestations in humans and ruminants. RVFV has a tripartite genome of negative or ambisense polarity. The M segment contains five in-frame AUG codons that are alternatively used for the synthesis of two major structural glycoproteins, GN and GC, and at least two accessory proteins, NSm, a 14-kDa cytosolic protein, and P78/NSm-GN, a 78-kDa glycoprotein.

Role of the cytosolic tails of Rift Valley fever virus envelope glycoproteins in viral morphogenesis.

The correct folding, heterodimerization and trafficking of Gn/Gc envelope glycoproteins of Rift Valley fever virus, RVFV (Bunyaviridae and Phlebovirus genus) are essential for Golgi assembly and budding of viral particles. The Gn and Gc carboxy-terminus contain a Golgi targeting and an ER-retrieval signal, respectively. We generated RVFV-like particles with mutations in the cytosolic tails of Gn or Gc and identified regions important for release of infectious particles.