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Myxoma virus M063R is a host range gene essential for virus replication in rabbit cells

John W Barrett1, Chew Shun Chang, Gen Wang

  • 1The Biotherapeutics Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 2V4.

Virology
|December 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The myxoma virus M063R gene is essential for rabbit cell replication, acting as a key determinant of host specificity. Deleting this gene creates a safe vaccine candidate that protects rabbits from myxomatosis.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Myxoma virus (MV) is a significant pathogen causing lethal disease in rabbits.
  • The M063R gene of MV shares sequence similarity with poxvirus host range genes, suggesting a role in host specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the myxoma virus M063R gene in rabbit cells.
  • To determine if M063R is essential for viral replication and pathogenesis in rabbits.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and characterization of a M063R deletion mutant (vMyx63KO).
  • In vitro replication assays in rabbit and monkey cell lines.
  • In vivo pathogenesis studies in rabbits.
  • Analysis of viral DNA replication and gene expression.

Main Results:

  • vMyx63KO replicated normally in monkey cells but failed to replicate in rabbit cells.
  • Replication block in rabbit cells occurred before DNA replication and late gene expression.
  • vMyx63KO did not cause myxomatosis in rabbits but provided protection against wild-type MV challenge.

Conclusions:

  • The M063R gene product is critical for myxoma virus replication in rabbit cells.
  • M063R is a key determinant of myxoma virus host specificity.
  • vMyx63KO represents a potential non-replicating vaccine for myxomatosis.

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