Highly effective inhibition of Akabane virus replication by siRNA genes

Virus Res. 2006 Sep;120(1-2):121-7. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2006.02.009. Epub 2006 Apr 17.

Abstract

Since 2002 there has been a rise in arthrogryposis/hydranencephaly (AGH) incidence in Israel, caused by Akabane (AKA) and, possibly, Aino viruses. To test the ability to control the disease, three siRNA genes targeted to the S genome segment were designed and prepared in the form of siRNA cassettes. For the design all published S segment were aligned and two conserved target sequences with 100% homology were chosen. A third conserved target that was found exhibited only one base change found in the two Australian isolates and was also designed and tested. It was demonstrated that cells transfected with single siRNA genes showed 99% inhibition, as measured by real-time RT-PCR, virus titration and immunofluorescence. When cells were transfected with all three genes together the inhibition levels were increased and reached almost 100%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / prevention & control
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genome, Viral
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Simbu virus / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering