Expression of bovine Mx1 protein inhibits the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus in BHK-21 cells

Acta Virol. 2013;57(4):429-34. doi: 10.4149/av_2013_04_429.

Abstract

Mx proteins belonging to the dynamin superfamily of large GTPases inhibit replication of a wide range of RNA viruses. In this study, we examined whether bovine Mx1 protein could interfere with the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). For this purpose we established cloned BHK-21 cells expressing bovine Mx1 protein (BM1 cells) and infected them with FMDV serotype O. Cloned BHK-21 cells expressing neomycin resistance instead of Mx1 protein (BH1 cells) and original BHK-21 cells served as negative controls. The results showed that the expression of bovine Mx1 protein reduced viral yields by 90% and levels of viral VP1 mRNA by 60%. These findings correlated with a significant reduction of viral antigen detectable in infected cells by immunofluorescent assay. These results demonstrate that bovine Mx1 protein interferes with the replication of FMDV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / genetics*
  • Cattle Diseases / metabolism
  • Cattle Diseases / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Down-Regulation
  • Foot-and-Mouth Disease / genetics*
  • Foot-and-Mouth Disease / metabolism
  • Foot-and-Mouth Disease / virology
  • Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / genetics
  • Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / physiology*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / genetics*
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins