A specific sequence in the genome of respiratory syncytial virus regulates the generation of copy-back defective viral genomes.

ABSTRACT: Defective viral genomes of the copy-back type (cbDVGs) are the primary initiators of the antiviral immune response during infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism governing cbDVG generation remains unknown, thereby limiting our ability to manipulate cbDVG content in order to modulate the host response to infection. Here we report a specific genomic signal that mediates the generation of a subset of RSV cbDVG species. Using a customized bioinformatics tool, we identified regions in the RSV genome frequently used to generate cbDVGs during infection. We then created a minigenome system to validate the function of one of these sequences and to determine if specific nucleotides were essential for cbDVG generation at that position. Furthe

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6504078 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature