Transgenic plant-derived siRNAs can suppress propagation of influenza virus in mammalian cells.
As an example of the cost-effective large-scale generation of small-interfering RNA (siRNAs), we have created transgenic tobacco plants that produce siRNAs targeted to the mRNA of the non-structural protein NS1 from the influenza A virus subtype H1N1. We have investigated if these siRNAs, specifically targeted to the 5'-portion of the NS1 transcripts (5mNS1), would suppress viral propagation in mammalian cells. Agroinfiltration of transgenic tobacco with an Agrobacterium strain harboring a 5mNS1-expressing binary vector caused a reduction in 5mNS1 transcripts in the siRNA-accumulating transgenic plants. Further, H1N1 infection of siRNA-transfected mammalian cells resulted in significant suppression of viral replication. These results demonstrate that plant-derived siRNAs can inhibit viral propagation through RNA interference and could potentially be applied in control of viral-borne diseases.
Zhou
Yuanxiang
Y
Department of Botany, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China. seanzhou@hkucc.hku.hk
Chan
Jack H
JH
Chan
Annie Y
AY
Chak
Regina K F
RK
Wong
Elaine Y L
EY
Chye
Mee-Len
ML
Peiris
Joseph S M
JS
Poon
Leo L M
LL
Lam
Eric
E
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003062:Codon; D004285:Dogs; D018390:Gene Targeting; D006384:Hemagglutination; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry*; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000235:genetics; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication
D003062:Codon; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering