INVESTIGADORES
SCOLARO Luis Alberto
artículos
Título:
Inhibition of Junín virus replication by small interfering RNAs.
Autor/es:
ARTUSO, MA. CAROLINA; ELLENBERG, PAULA; SCOLARO, LUIS; DAMONTE, ELSA; GARCÍA, CYBELE
Revista:
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Referencias:
Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2009 vol. 84 p. 31 - 37
ISSN:
0166-3542
Resumen:
Junín virus (JUNV), the etiological agent of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever, has a single-stranded RNA
genome with ambisense expression which encodes for five proteins. In previous works we have demonstrated
that the Z arenavirus matrix protein represents an attractive target for antiviral therapy. With
the aim of studying a new alternative therapeutic mechanism, four Z-specific siRNAs (Z1- to Z4-siRNAs)
were tested showing variable efficacy. The most effective inhibitor was Z2-siRNA targeted at the region
encompassed by nt 179197 of Z gene. The efficacy of this Z2-siRNA against JUNV was also demonstrated
in virus-infected cells, by testing infectious virus plaque formation (92.8% JUNV yield reduction), viral
RNA level or antigen expression, as well as in cells transfected with Z-specific reporter plasmids (91%
reduction in expression of Z-EGFP fusion protein). Furthermore, the lack of effect of this Z-siRNA on the
expression of other JUNV proteins, such as N and GPC, confirmed the specificity of action exerted by Z2-
siRNA on Z transcript. Thus, the present study represents the first report of virus inhibition mediated by
RNA interference for a NewWorld arenavirus.