Identification of novel host antiviral factors that control viral infection.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07048
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49060:Virology-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Nakatsu Yuichiro 国立感染症研究所, ウイルス第三部, 主任研究官 (70572113)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 風疹ウイルス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Culture cells that efficiently support rubella virus growth were generated by knocked out of several factors that were important for interferon (IFN) pathway using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method. To elucidate what host factor(s) contribute this restriction of rubella virus, IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) were ectopically expressed in this cell and finally it was revealed that six ISGs were related to the restriction of rubella virus. Finally, recombinant rubella viruses and cultured cells were generated and evaluated as a preliminary phase of genome wide screening for searching previously unknown antiviral factors.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでにインターフェロン経路により風疹ウイルスの増殖が抑制されることが報告されていた一方で、どのような宿主因子がその抑制に直接的に関わっているかについては未知であった。本研究では、6種類の宿主因子が風疹ウイルスの増殖抑制に寄与していることが明らかとなり、今後の作用機序解析が待たれるところである。また、宿主ゲノムにコードされた未知の抗ウイルス因子の探索法の構築も進展させており、今後様々なウイルスを制御しうる分子基盤の解明に貢献できると考えられる。