title: The core protein of a pestivirus protects the incoming virus against IFN-induced effectors.
abstract: A multitude of viral factors - either inhibiting the induction of the IFN-system or its effectors - have been described to date. However, little is known about the role of structural components of the incoming virus particle in protecting against IFN-induced antiviral factors during or immediately after entry. In this study, we take advantage of the previously reported property of Classical swine fever virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Pestivirus) to tolerate a deletion of the core protein if a compensatory mutation is present in the NS3-helicase-domain (Vp447∆c). In contrast to the parental virus (Vp447), which causes a hemorrhagic-fever-like disease in pigs, Vp447∆cis avirulent in vivo. In comparison to Vp447, growth of Vp447∆cin primary porcine cells and IFN-treated porcine cell lines was reduced >20-fold. Also, primary porcine endothelial cells and IFN-pretreated porcine cell lines were 8-24 times less susceptible to Vp447∆c. This reduction of susceptibility could be partially reversed by loading Vp447∆cparticles with different levels of core protein. In contrast, expression of core protein in the recipient cell did not have any beneficial effect. Therefore, a protective effect of core protein in the incoming virus particle against the products of IFN-stimulated genes could be demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lamp
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Indik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rümenapf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006692:Classical Swine Fever Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D010576:Pestivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018182:Pestivirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D013552:Swine / Q000821:virology; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014758:Viral Core Proteins