Replication of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Xenopus laevis oocytes can be used as an alternative system to study replication of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). We have shown that transcript RNA, containing full-length viral genome, can be directly used to programme the oocytes. In the programmed oocytes, there is correct viral translation, polyprotein processing and assembly of capsid proteins leading to the production of infectious TMEV. The vast majority of de novo synthesised virions were found in the medium in which the programmed oocytes were incubated and not in the oocytes.