Journal article

Authors list: Savellini, GG; Weber, F; Terrosi, C; Habjan, M; Martorelli, B; Cusi, MG

Publication year: 2011

Pages: 71-79

Journal: Journal of General Virology

Volume number: 92

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0022-1317

eISSN: 1465-2099

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.025999-0

Publisher: Microbiology Society

Abstract: 

Toscana virus (TOSV) is a phlebotomus-transmitted virus that belongs to the family Bunyaviridae and causes widespread infections in humans; about 30% of these cases result in aseptic meninigitis. In the present study, it was shown that TOSV is an inducer of beta interferon (IFN-beta), although its non-structural protein (NSs) could inhibit the induction of IFN-beta if expressed in a heterologous context. A recombinant Rift Valley fever virus expressing the TOSV NSs could suppress IFN-beta expression in infected cells. Moreover, in cells expressing NSs protein from a cDNA plasmid, IFN-beta transcripts were not inducible by poly(I : C). Unlike other members of the family Bunyaviridae, TOSV appears to express an NSs protein that is a weak antagonist of wFN induction. Characterization of the interaction of TOSV with the IFN system will help our understanding of virus-host cell interactions and may explain why the pathogenesis of this disease is mostly mild in humans.

Harvard Citation style: Savellini, G., Weber, F., Terrosi, C., Habjan, M., Martorelli, B. and Cusi, M. (2011) Toscana virus induces interferon although its NSs protein reveals antagonistic activity, Journal of General Virology, 92(1), pp. 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.025999-0

APA Citation style: Savellini, G., Weber, F., Terrosi, C., Habjan, M., Martorelli, B., & Cusi, M. (2011). Toscana virus induces interferon although its NSs protein reveals antagonistic activity. Journal of General Virology. 92(1), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.025999-0