Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
NS38 is required for aquareovirus replication via interaction with viral core proteins and host eIF3A
Jie Zhang1, Hong Guo2, Fuxian Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
Abstract:
Aquareoviruses contain an 11-segmented double-stranded RNA genome. Previous studies indicated that NS38, a virus-encoded putative single-stranded RNA binding protein, interacts with NS80 in viral inclusion bodies (VIBs). However, the role of NS38 in aquareovirus infection remained unclear. Here, we found that NS38 interacts with inner-capsid proteins (VP1-VP4 and VP6) and the NS80-RNA complex in both transfected and infected cells. Knockdown of NS38 by siRNAs-115/219 clearly reduced viral infection, with decreased mRNA and protein yields. Moreover, NS38 can interact with host cellular eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit A (eIF3A) in transfected cells, while no association was detected between eIF3A and NS80. This study is the first to define that the NS38 is essential to viral replication. Together, our findings indicate that NS38 might function as a mediator by interacting with viral and host cellular components in VIBs during replication.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Structure
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
The Nucleosome Core Particle
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
Proteins: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Chromosome Replication

