Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.

ABSTRACT: Large-scale codon re-encoding represents a powerful method of attenuating viruses to generate safe and cost-effective vaccines. In contrast to specific approaches of codon re-encoding which modify genome-scale properties, we evaluated the effects of random codon re-encoding on the re-emerging human pathogen Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and assessed the stability of the resultant viruses during serial in cellulo passage. Using different combinations of three 1.4 kb randomly re-encoded regions located throughout the CHIKV genome six codon re-encoded viruses were obtained. Introducing a large number of slightly deleterious synonymous mutations reduced the replicative fitness of CHIKV in both primate and arthropod cells, demonstrating the impact of synonymous mutations on fitness. Decrease of re

SUBMITTER: Nougairede A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3578757 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature