Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheng-Chieh Lin, Geng-Hao Bai, Pei-Chun Lin, Chung-Yung Chen, Yi-Hsiang Hsu, Yuan-Chang Lee, Shih-Yen Chen
Summary: Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, and their high mutation rate and recombination potential pose challenges in studying their genetic diversity and evolution. Recent advances in technology have allowed for the detection and analysis of complete genome sequences of noroviruses, as well as the tracing of their evolution and genetic diversity. The inability to cultivate infectious viruses in cell models has hindered the understanding of HuNoV infection mechanisms and the development of antiviral drugs. However, reverse genetics has shown promise in recovering and generating infectious viral particles, providing an alternative method for studying viral infection mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Derek J. J. Fisher, Paul A. A. Beare
Summary: The ability to genetically manipulate pathogens is crucial for understanding host-pathogen interactions and developing treatment strategies. Methods for modifying obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens have been limited, but significant progress has been made in the past few decades. This review highlights recent genetic achievements and developments for several important pathogens and discusses future research directions. Overall, the future looks promising for unraveling the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of these significant pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Lucie Feneant, Anne Leske, Karla Gunther, Allison Groseth
Summary: Researchers evaluated the feasibility of different reporter expression approaches using Tacaribe virus as a model, providing new tools for studying the molecular biology of this virus.
Article
Virology
Yuta Kanai, Misa Onishi, Takahiro Kawagishi, Pimfhun Pannacha, Jeffery A. Nurdin, Ryotaro Nouda, Moeko Yamasaki, Tina Lusiany, Pattara Khamrin, Shoko Okitsu, Satoshi Hayakawa, Hirotaka Ebina, Hiroshi Ushijima, Takeshi Kobayashi
Summary: Reverse genetics has been used to develop a new vaccine platform capable of generating recombinant rotaviruses carrying specific VP4 and VP7 genes, providing a promising approach for rapid vaccine production.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Shilpi Jain, Punya Shrivastava-Ranjan, Mike Flint, Joel M. Montgomery, Christina F. Spiropoulou, Cesar G. Albarino
Summary: Arenaviruses are highly pathogenic viruses that pose a serious public health threat. In this study, a reverse genetics system was developed to facilitate the study and future therapeutic research of these pathogens.
Article
Virology
Yifeng Jiang, Wu Tong, Lingxue Yu, Liwei Li, Fei Gao, Guoxin Li, Changlong Liu, Pengfei Chen, Qi Shen, Yujiao Zhang, Yanjun Zhou, Guangzhi Tong
Summary: In this study, we generated chimeric viruses to identify the virulence associated regions of HP-PRRSV during in vitro attenuation. Our results revealed that ORF1a played a crucial role in virus replication, cytokine response, and lung damage. Furthermore, the exchange of ORF1b and ORF2-7 between different backbones led to different outcomes in virus replication and cytokine response. Consistent amino acid changes were also found during PRRSV attenuation. These findings provide fundamental data for understanding PRRSV attenuation and suggest different mechanisms for virulence enhancement in vivo and attenuation in vitro.
Review
Virology
Christian Mittelholzer, Thomas Klimkait
Summary: This article summarizes the recent advances in RNA virus genetics research in Switzerland over the past 25 years, with a focus on HIV and SARS-CoV-2. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between clinical and molecular disciplines for disease management, and mentions that Switzerland is at the forefront of SARS-CoV-2 research.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Weiwei Wan, Shenglin Zhu, Shufen Li, Weijuan Shang, Ruxue Zhang, Hao Li, Wei Liu, Gengfu Xiao, Ke Peng, Leike Zhang
Summary: Through antiviral drug screening, several drug candidates with strong anti-LCMV effects were identified, and the mechanism of action was further explored. These drug candidates not only have inhibitory effects on LCMV, but can also inhibit the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 virus.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Liu, Shao-Jun Tang
Summary: This review aims to summarize the pathology and associated factors of chronic pain among individuals with HIV infection. Research suggests that viral proteins and antiretroviral drugs play a critical role in the interactions between neurons, glial cells, and non-neural cells.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Ma, Shuangyue Zhang, Xinzheng Zhang
Summary: The interaction between the RNA polymerase L and matrix protein Z of arenaviruses provides a novel perspective for developing antiviral drugs. The Z protein acts as a staple to inhibit the activity of L protein, resulting in loss of catalytic activity due to the fixed arrangement of multiple domains.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Vicent Tur-Planells, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Sara Cuadrado-Castano, Estanislao Nistal-Villan
Summary: This review provides an overview of non-human-adapted RNA viruses used in cancer therapy and the diverse strategies employed to optimize their therapeutic capabilities. Through this article, we gain insights into the promising advancements in virotherapy and its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
Article
Virology
Stephen R. Welch, Jessica R. Spengler, Sarah C. Genzer, Payel Chatterjee, Mike Flint, Eric Bergeron, Joel M. Montgomery, Stuart T. Nichol, Cesar G. Albarino, Christina F. Spiropoulou
Summary: A recombinant reporter virus system was developed to evaluate antiviral compounds against the highly pathogenic Lujo virus, identifying six compounds with robust anti-LUJV activity, including potential new pan-arenavirus antivirals. This provides critical evidence for developing broad-spectrum antivirals against high-consequence arenaviruses.
Article
Immunology
B. S. Bodmer, A. Breithaupt, M. Heung, J. E. Brunetti, C. Henkel, J. Mueller-Guhl, E. Rodriguez, L. Wendt, S. L. Winter, M. Vallbracht, A. Mueller, S. Roemer, P. Chlanda, C. Munoz-Fontela, T. Hoenen, B. Escudero-Perez
Summary: Ebolaviruses, including Ebola virus and Reston virus, cause haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Africa. Bombali virus (BOMV), a novel ebolavirus found in bats, has a low pathogenic potential for humans based on in vitro and in vivo experiments.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Angela Wahl, Lisa E. Gralinski, Claire E. Johnson, Wenbo Yao, Martina Kovarova, Kenneth H. Dinnon, Hongwei Liu, Victoria J. Madden, Halina M. Krzystek, Chandrav De, Kristen K. White, Kendra Gully, Alexandra Schafer, Tanzila Zaman, Sarah R. Leist, Paul O. Grant, Gregory R. Bluemling, Alexander A. Kolykhalov, Michael G. Natchus, Frederic B. Askin, George Painter, Edward P. Browne, Corbin D. Jones, Raymond J. Pickles, Ralph S. Baric, J. Victor Garcia
Summary: The study suggests that bats may be the source of coronaviruses that can be directly transmitted to humans. Using the LoM model, efficient replication of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and two SARS-like bat coronaviruses in human lung tissue was demonstrated. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 predominantly targets human lung epithelial cells and induces a sustained inflammatory response. The broad-spectrum antiviral agent EIDD-2801 significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vivo, showing potential for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryotaro Nouda, Shohei Minami, Yuta Kanai, Takahiro Kawagishi, Jeffery A. Nurdin, Moeko Yamasaki, Ryusei Kuwata, Hiroshi Shimoda, Ken Maeda, Takeshi Kobayashi
Summary: Reverse genetics systems are powerful tools for investigating viral gene function and vaccine development. This study developed a plasmid-based reverse genetics system for Tarumizu tick virus (TarTV) of the genus Coltivirus, enhancing understanding of the replication machinery of the Reoviridae family.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Virology
Naiqing Xu, Xinen Tang, Xin Wang, Miao Cai, Xiaowen Liu, Xiaolong Lu, Shunlin Hu, Min Gu, Jiao Hu, Ruyi Gao, Kaituo Liu, Yu Chen, Xiufan Liu, Xiaoquan Wang
Summary: This study found that the H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus has a high airborne transmissibility, while the H7N9 virus does not. The Hemagglutinin protein of the H9N2 virus was found to play a key role in replication, stability, and airborne transmission.
Article
Virology
Samar S. Ewies, Sabry M. Tamam, Ahmed S. Abdel-Moneim, Sherin R. Rouby
Summary: Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a highly contagious viral disease of sheep and goats worldwide. The study provided a clinical description of CE and screened for genetic variation in the B2L gene. Infected sheep exhibited anorexia and oral lesions, while inoculated chicken embryos showed pock lesions. The B2L gene was successfully amplified and found to be highly conserved.
Article
Virology
Yigal Farnoushi, Dan Heller, Avishai Lublin
Summary: In recent years, new variants of avian reovirus (ARV) have caused a variety of symptoms in chickens worldwide, including viral arthritis/tenosynovitis. This study analyzed emerging ARV variants in Israel and found significant genetic diversity. Most ARV isolates in Israel belonged to genotypic cluster 5 (GC5). The study suggests that Israel has not experienced the emergence of new ARV variants since the introduction of the live vaccine (ISR-7585), but ongoing monitoring is needed due to the continuous emergence of ARV variants.
Article
Virology
Shigeru Tajima, Michiyo Kataoka, Yuki Takamatsu, Hideki Ebihara, Chang-Kweng Lim
Summary: Yokose virus (YOKV), a bat-associated flavivirus, was found to replicate at a slower rate in mosquito cells compared to other mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Specific nucleotide mutations in the virus were identified to enhance its proliferation ability in mosquito cells.
Article
Virology
Alejandra Borjabad, Baojun Dong, Wei Chao, David J. Volsky, Mary Jane Potash
Summary: This study investigated HIV brain disease using a mouse model, and found that poly I:C can reverse associated cognitive impairment and reduce virus burden. The results also revealed transcriptional changes related to neuronal function and innate immune responses.
Article
Virology
Ching-Hung Lin, Feng-Cheng Hsieh, Meilin Wang, Chieh Hsu, Hsuan-Wei Hsu, Chun-Chun Yang, Cheng-Yao Yang, Hung-Yi Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that the synthesis of coronavirus subgenomic mRNA is not solely determined by the sequence homology between the leader TRS and TRS-B, but also by the disassociation of the coronavirus polymerase from the viral genome. This finding provides a new insight into the transcription mechanism of coronaviruses.
Article
Virology
Nicholas S. Kron, Benjamin W. Neuman, Sathish Kumar, Patricia L. Blackwelder, Dayana Vidal, Delphina Z. Walker-Phelan, Patrick D. I. Gibbs, Lynne A. Fieber, Michael C. Schmale
Summary: Two recent studies documented the genome of a novel virus in marine animals, finding that the virus is widespread in apparently healthy animals but not highly expressed in neurons. The studies also identified viral replication factories and high levels of defective genomes in chronically infected animals.
Article
Virology
Andrew M. Ramey, Laura C. Scott, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Evan J. Buck, Alison R. Williams, Mia Kim Torchetti, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson
Summary: We successfully detected and characterized highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in hunter-harvested wild waterfowl samples from western Alaska. Genomic analysis revealed three independent viral introductions into Alaska. Our findings demonstrate the utility and potential limitations of using molecular processing approaches directly on original swab samples for viral research and monitoring.
Article
Virology
Ting Gong, Dongdong Wu, Yongzhi Feng, Xing Liu, Qi Gao, Xiaoyu Zheng, Zebu Song, Heng Wang, Guihong Zhang, Lang Gong
Summary: This study discovered that quercetin can inhibit PEDV replication both in vivo and in vitro, and alleviate the clinical symptoms and intestinal injury caused by the virus. This provides a new direction for the development of PED antiviral drugs.
Article
Virology
Min Zhu, Hao Zeng, Jianqiao He, Yaohui Zhu, Pingping Wang, Jianing Guo, Jinfan Guo, Huabo Zhou, Yifeng Qin, Kang Ouyang, Zuzhang Wei, Weijian Huang, Ying Chen
Summary: The reassortment between avian H9N2 and Eurasian avian-like (EA) H1N1 viruses may have potentially changed from avian-to-mammals adaptation. This study found that the introduction of EA H1N1 internal genes into H9N2 virus restored the replication capability and resulted in extreme virulence in some cases. This raises new concerns for public health due to the possible coexistence of H9N2 and EA H1N1 viruses in dogs.
