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Updated: Aug 5, 2025
09:05
MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
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Regulated control of virus replication by 4-hydroxytamoxifen-induced splicing
Zhenghao Zhao1, Busen Wang1, Shipo Wu1
1Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|March 30, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a controllable virus using a novel intein switch. This tool precisely regulates viral replication with a small molecule, aiding studies of viral diseases and host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Studying viral pathogenic mechanisms and virus-host interactions requires controlled viral replication.
- Developing tools for precise regulation of viral replication is crucial for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a modified virus with a controllable replication mechanism using a small molecule-inducible switch.
- To investigate the efficacy of intein-mediated control in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).
Main Methods:
- Intein sequences were inserted into key VSV proteins (nucleocapsid, phosphoprotein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase).
- Recombinant VSV strains (LC599, LY1744) with intein insertion in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase were generated and screened.
- Viral replication was assessed in vitro and in vivo in the presence and absence of 4-hydroxytamoxifen.
Main Results:
- Two VSV strains, LC599 and LY1744, demonstrated intein-mediated replication control.
- Replication of modified VSV was precisely regulated in a dose-dependent manner by 4-hydroxytamoxifen.
- Intein-modified VSV LC599 showed efficient replication in an animal model when induced by 4-hydroxytamoxifen.
Conclusions:
- A universal, small molecule-inducible switch element was successfully developed for precise control of virus replication.
- Intein-mediated regulation offers a simple, adaptable tool for studying viral pathogenesis and host interactions.
- This technology facilitates controlled viral replication for advanced research applications.
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