Abstract
RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs) are well studied for plant viruses but are not well defined to date for animal viruses. Here, we have identified an RSS from a medically important positive-sense mammalian virus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The viral 7a accessory protein suppressed both transgene and virus-induced gene silencing by reducing the levels of small interfering RNA (siRNA). The suppression of silencing was analyzed by two independent assays, and the middle region (amino acids [aa] 32 to 89) of 7a was responsible for suppression. Finally, the RNA suppression property and the enhancement of heterologous replicon activity by the 7a protein were confirmed for animal cell lines.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Cell Line
-
Genes, Viral
-
Humans
-
Plant Viruses / genetics
-
Plant Viruses / physiology
-
Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
-
Plants, Genetically Modified / virology
-
RNA Interference / physiology*
-
RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
-
RNA, Viral / genetics
-
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / genetics*
-
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity
-
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / physiology*
-
Suppression, Genetic
-
Viral Matrix Proteins / chemistry
-
Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics*
-
Viral Matrix Proteins / physiology*
Substances
-
RNA, Small Interfering
-
RNA, Viral
-
Viral Matrix Proteins
-
sars7a protein, SARS virus