Control of African swine fever virus replication by small interfering RNA targeting the A151R and VP72 genes.
BACKGROUND
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the unique member of the Asfarviridae family and Asfivirus genus. It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA arbovirus that replicates in the cell cytoplasm, similar to poxviruses. There is no vaccine and no treatment available to control this virus.


METHODS
We describe the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the A151R and VP72 (B646L) genes to control the ASFV replication in vitro.


RESULTS
Results suggest that siRNA targeting the A151R and VP72 genes can reduce both the virus replication and its levels of messenger RNA transcripts. The reduction was up to 4 log(10) copies on the virus titre and up to 3 log(10) copies on virus RNA transcripts levels. The combination of multiple siRNA did not improve the antiviral effect significantly, compared with use of individual siRNAs.


CONCLUSIONS
The function of the A151R gene product in the virus replication cycle is yet unclear, but is essential. We also demonstrate that it is possible to inhibit, using small interfering RNA, a virus that replicates exclusively in the cell cytoplasm in specific viral factories.
Keita
Djénéba
D
CIRAD, UMR CMAEE, Montpellier, France.
Heath
Livio
L
Albina
Emmanuel
E
D000358:African Swine Fever Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D014709:Vero Cells; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins