Inhibition of gammaherpesvirus replication by RNA interference

J Virol. 2003 Mar;77(5):3301-6. doi: 10.1128/jvi.77.5.3301-3306.2003.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism in which double-stranded, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) trigger a sequence-specific gene-silencing process. Here we describe the inhibition of murine herpesvirus 68 replication by siRNAs targeted to sequences encoding Rta, an immediate-early protein known as an initiator of the lytic viral gene expression program, and open reading frame 45 (ORF 45), a conserved viral protein. Our results suggest that RNAi can block gammaherpesvirus replication and ORF 45 is required for efficient viral production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Gammaherpesvirinae / drug effects
  • Gammaherpesvirinae / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics
  • Open Reading Frames / physiology
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Viral Proteins