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Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
[Sendai virus proteins counteracting the host innate immunity]
1Department of Virology 3, National Institute of Infectious Diseases 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan. akato@nih.go.jp
Abstract:
The nucleotide sequence of Sendai virus (SeV) genome was determined in the 1980's. During the analysis of its cDNA, two mRNAs were found to be transcribed from the P gene; one encoding P protein, the other encoding V protein. In addition, C protein was found to be translated from both/ mRNAs. Though the function of V and C proteins was being unknown for a while, the reverse-genetic technique of paramyxoviruses developed at the latter half of the 1990's gave the light on studying them. The V or C protein-knockout-SeV can be made successfully, indicating that the V and C proteins are nonessential for virus growth, However, V knockout-SeV was cleared from the mouse lungs at the one day post inoculation, and C knockout-SeV was cleared immediately after the inoculation. Both V and C proteins were thus appeared to be important for counteracting host innate immunity generated in the early phase of viral infection.
Insights
Sendai virus P and C proteins, initially of unknown function, are crucial for early viral infection. These proteins counteract the host
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Context:
- Sendai virus (SeV) genome sequencing in the 1980s identified P and V mRNAs from the P gene.
- C protein is translated from both P and V mRNAs.
- The function of SeV V and C proteins remained unclear until the advent of reverse-genetic techniques.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of Sendai virus V and C proteins in viral infection and host immune response.
- To determine if V and C proteins are essential for virus replication.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which V and C proteins interact with host innate immunity.
Summary:
- Reverse-genetic studies enabled the creation of V or C protein-knockout SeV, demonstrating these proteins are nonessential for general virus growth.
- V knockout SeV was cleared from mouse lungs within one day post-inoculation.
- C knockout SeV was cleared immediately post-inoculation, highlighting the critical role of both proteins in early infection stages.
Impact:
- V and C proteins are essential for Sendai virus to counteract host innate immunity during the early phase of infection.
- These findings provide insights into paramyxovirus-host interactions and immune evasion strategies.
- Understanding the function of V and C proteins can inform the development of antiviral therapies.
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