title: Gene order rearrangement of the M gene in the rabies virus leads to slower replication.
abstract: The matrix protein (M) is one of only five genes in the RV genome and is an important multifunctional protein. Besides to allow for the release of newly replicated virions pairing with G, the M protein also functions in virus replication, pathogenicity, and host cell apoptosis. The goal of present study is to generate recombinant viruses with M gene rearranged, thus laying the foundation for further exploring what will happen when the gene for M is relocated on the RV single-strand RNA. We used rHEP-Flury, an attenuated virus that remains virulent for less than 3 days in sucking mice, to reshuffle the M gene, using an approach that leaves the other viral nucleotide sequence intact. Two viruses with translocated M genes (N1M2 and N1M4) were recovered from each of the rearranged cDNAs, whose gene order is 3'-N-M-P-G-L-5' and 3'-N-P-G-M-L-5' respectively. The growth dynamics of these viruses showed slower replication than the wild-type virus in multiple-step growth curves, but they can grow to a comparable titer in tests of single-step growth curves. Further experimentation with these rearranged viruses will provide insights into the relationships between genome structure and virus phenotypes.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Xian-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Yang
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Jiao-Jiao
authors: JJ
authors: Peng
authors: Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fishery Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510000 China.
authors: Hong-Ru
authors: HR
authors: Liang
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: You-Tian
authors: YT
authors: Yang
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Yi-Fei
authors: YF
authors: Wang
authors: Technical Centre of Guangdong Entry-exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau, Guangzhou, 510623 China.
authors: Xiao-Wei
authors: XW
authors: Wu
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Jiao-Jiao
authors: JJ
authors: Pan
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Yong-Wen
authors: YW
authors: Luo
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China.
authors: Xiao-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Guo
keywords: Gene rearrangement; Matrix protein; Rabies virus; Reverse genetics