Analysis of a novel mechanism of nuclear localization for arthropod-borne Orthobunyavirus nucleoprotein

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14981
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Kawahara Madoka 国立感染症研究所, ウイルス第一部, 主任研究官 (80847559)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ブニヤウイルス / オルソブニヤウイルス / Oropouche virus / 節足動物媒介性ウイルス / 細胞内局在

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Orthobunyaviruses, arthropod-borne zoonotic viruses, are widely maintained between domestic and wild animals and mosquitoes and other arthropods worldwide, and many cases of human infection have been reported. Among them, Oropouche virus (OROV) is the second most frequent emerging infectious disease after dengue fever in Central and South America, but studies on pathogenesis and mechanisms of action are insufficient. In this study, we observed that OROV "localizes nuclear proteins (N) to the nucleus of infected cells," which has not been reported in existing infection mechanisms. Investigating new functions of N, which is essential for viral infection, may provide a new infection mechanism of OROV and may also be a breakthrough in elucidating the diverse virulence mechanisms of orthobunyaviruses.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年OROVは中南米において多くの感染者が報告されている一方、病原性発現機構や作用機序に関する知見が不足している。蛋白質の中で最も産生量が多く、強い免疫原性を持つ重要な蛋白質であるNの分子機構を明らかにすることは、ブニヤウイルスにおける新たな感染機構を提供し、また多くの宿主と臨床症状の多様性を持つオルソブニヤウイルスの多様な病原性メカニズム解明の突破口となり得ることが期待される。