title: Efficient cellular release of Rift Valley fever virus requires genomic RNA.
abstract: The Rift Valley fever virus is responsible for periodic, explosive epizootics throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The development of therapeutics targeting this virus is difficult due to a limited understanding of the viral replicative cycle. Utilizing a virus-like particle system, we have established roles for each of the viral structural components in assembly, release, and virus infectivity. The envelope glycoprotein, Gn, was discovered to be necessary and sufficient for packaging of the genome, nucleocapsid protein and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase into virus particles. Additionally, packaging of the genome was found to be necessary for the efficient release of particles, revealing a novel mechanism for the efficient generation of infectious virus. Our results identify possible conserved targets for development of anti-phlebovirus therapies.
authors: Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: Mary E
authors: ME
authors: Piper
authors: Dorothy R
authors: DR
authors: Sorenson
authors: Sonja R
authors: SR
authors: Gerrard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D055162:Biocatalysis; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014461:Ultracentrifugation; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012313:RNA; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase