The Bunyamwera virus mRNA transcription signal resides within both the 3' and the 5' terminal regions and allows ambisense transcription from a model RNA segment

J Virol. 2005 Oct;79(19):12602-7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.79.19.12602-12607.2005.

Abstract

Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) is the prototype of the Bunyaviridae family of RNA viruses. BUNV genomic strands are templates for both replication and transcription, whereas the antigenomic RNAs serve only as templates for replication. By mutagenesis of model templates, we showed that the BUNV transcription promoter comprises elements within both the 3' and the 5' nontranslated regions. Using this information, we designed a model ambisense BUNV segment that transcribed BUNV S mRNA from the genomic strand and green fluorescent protein (GFP) mRNA from the antigenome. Demonstration of GFP expression showed that this ambisense strategy represents a viable approach for generating BUNV segments able to express additional proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions*
  • 5' Untranslated Regions*
  • Base Sequence
  • Bunyamwera virus / genetics*
  • Bunyamwera virus / physiology
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins