Abstract
To help understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of dengue virus (DV), we set out to create an infectious cDNA of the Brazilian prototype strain of DV serotype 1 (DV1-BR/90). PCR-amplified fragments of DV1-BR/90 cDNA were readily assembled into a subgenomic cDNA that could be used to produce replicating RNAs (replicons), lacking the structural protein-encoding regions of the genome. However, assembly of a cDNA capable of producing infectious virus was only possible using a bacterial artificial chromosome plasmid, indicating that DV1 sequences were especially difficult to propagate in E. coli. While characterizing our cDNA we discovered a fortuitous temperature-sensitive mutation in the NS1 encoding region. Using our infectious cDNA and a renilla luciferase-expressing replicon we were able to demonstrate that this mutation produced a defect in RNA replication at 37 °C, demonstrating that the DV1 NS1 protein plays an essential role in RNA replication.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.