Filovirus genes preserved in mammalian genomes: Impact on viral replication
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs of several WMD-relevant zoonotic viruses, including Ebola viruses (EBOVs) and Marburg viruses (MARVs). Fatal filovirus virus infection is associated with systemic virus replication that is not controlled by host immunity. We have demonstrated that filovirus evasion of innate immunity is required for virulence.Recent studies identified genes encoding homologues to filoviral VP35 and NP proteins in the genome of the microbat, Myotis lucifugus. We hypothesize that, in bats, filoviruses will suppress innate immunity incompletely, such that infection is controlled but not eliminated; and that innate immune responses and filovirus replication are modulated by the endogenous filoviral VP35 and NP. To address these hypotheses, we will (1) profile bat innate immune responses to viral infection; (2) assess the function of viral and endogenous bat filoviral proteins; (3) define the biochemical and structural properties of microbat VP35 and NP by determining their relationship to viral counterparts; and (4) characterize interaction between the bat innate immune system and filovirus proteins that antagonize innate immunity
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 2018
- Source ID
- HDTRA11710005
Entities
People
- Christopher F Basler
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Georgia State University