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Role of the non-structural proteins encoded by gene 3 of infectious bronchitis coronavirus

Reference	BBS/E/I/00000883
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor David Cavanagh
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	5,480
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2001
End date	30/09/2004
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a coronavirus, having a 27.6 kb single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome. In addition to gene 1, which encodes the replicase, there are two genes that encode non-structural proteins. One of these, gene 3, has three open reading frames (ORFs), encoding proteins 3a, 3b and 3c. ORF 3c encodes the E envelope glycoprotein, which is essential for virus particle formation. Whether the 3a and 3b proteins are required for replication is not known, though they are conserved amongst IBVs worldwide, and in IBV-like viruses in turkeys and pheasants, suggesting that they do have a role. As a first step in the elucidation of the roles of the 3a and 3b proteins, we are preparing knock-out mutants. As the ORF 3a and 3b nucleotide sequences control the translation of the E protein, minimal changes will be made to the ORFs. Recombinant IBVs containing these mutations will be produced using our recently developed reverse genetics system, after which the replication properties of the recombinants will be studied. Monospecific antisera are being prepared against 3a and 3b proteins, to identify their cellular location and to ascertain if they interact with other proteins, both viral and cellular.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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