title: Sub-genomic replicon and virus-like particles of Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus.
abstract: Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV) is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis serocomplex of flaviviruses, and causes hemorrhagic disease in humans. To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in OHFV pathogenesis, we constructed several subgenomic OHFV replicons containing large deletions in the structural region. Replicon RNA was introduced into BHK cells by transfection and the production of viral proteins was monitored by IFA. GFP and luciferase genes were inserted into the OHFV replicon, and these reporter genes were expressed in cells harboring replicating replicon RNA. OHFV replicons were packaged into single-round infectious virus-like particles (VLPs) by sequential transfection with replicon RNA and a plasmid expressing the viral structural proteins. Reporter genes were expressed in cells infected with VLPs, and the infection was inhibited by neutralizing antibodies. These replicon and VLP systems will be useful tools for investigating the molecular mechanism of OHFV pathogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555-0609, USA.
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshii
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Holbrook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D016679:Genome, Viral; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012093:Replicon; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022701:Virosomes; D019065:Virus Assembly; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; D022701:Virosomes; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008156:Luciferases