Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models.
Reassortment is a critical evolutionary mechanism for segmented viruses, enabling the exchange of intact genome segments during co-infection and driving orthobunyavirus evolution; however, the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process remain unclear. With over 100 orthobunyavirus species, many...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-05-01
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| Series: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013120 |
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| _version_ | 1849422929078517760 |
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| author | James M Bowen Krista Gunter Andrew M Lunel Dorcus C A Omoga Jennifer E Jones Henry Giesel W Paul Duprex Natasha L Tilston |
| author_facet | James M Bowen Krista Gunter Andrew M Lunel Dorcus C A Omoga Jennifer E Jones Henry Giesel W Paul Duprex Natasha L Tilston |
| author_sort | James M Bowen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Reassortment is a critical evolutionary mechanism for segmented viruses, enabling the exchange of intact genome segments during co-infection and driving orthobunyavirus evolution; however, the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process remain unclear. With over 100 orthobunyavirus species, many of which are significant human and veterinary pathogens, understanding how reassortment influences transmissibility and virulence is essential for preempting the emergence of novel pathogens. Here, we use Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) and Batai virus (BATV) as models to explore orthobunyavirus reassortment through reverse genetics. We established the first reverse genetics system for BATV, generated reassortants, and employed minigenome assays to assess replication machinery compatibility. Additionally, we developed a novel hybridization chain reaction assay for high-resolution visualization of viral RNA segments. Our findings revealed that all six reassortants between BUNV and BATV are viable, exhibiting notable phenotypic differences in interferon-deficient (IFNAR-/-) mice. This work introduces essential tools and new insights into orthobunyavirus reassortment and pathogenesis, laying the groundwork for understanding this critical evolutionary process. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a68dd404805e4c86b03f3a63eb6e489b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1935-2727 1935-2735 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-a68dd404805e4c86b03f3a63eb6e489b2025-08-20T03:30:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352025-05-01195e001312010.1371/journal.pntd.0013120Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models.James M BowenKrista GunterAndrew M LunelDorcus C A OmogaJennifer E JonesHenry GieselW Paul DuprexNatasha L TilstonReassortment is a critical evolutionary mechanism for segmented viruses, enabling the exchange of intact genome segments during co-infection and driving orthobunyavirus evolution; however, the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process remain unclear. With over 100 orthobunyavirus species, many of which are significant human and veterinary pathogens, understanding how reassortment influences transmissibility and virulence is essential for preempting the emergence of novel pathogens. Here, we use Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) and Batai virus (BATV) as models to explore orthobunyavirus reassortment through reverse genetics. We established the first reverse genetics system for BATV, generated reassortants, and employed minigenome assays to assess replication machinery compatibility. Additionally, we developed a novel hybridization chain reaction assay for high-resolution visualization of viral RNA segments. Our findings revealed that all six reassortants between BUNV and BATV are viable, exhibiting notable phenotypic differences in interferon-deficient (IFNAR-/-) mice. This work introduces essential tools and new insights into orthobunyavirus reassortment and pathogenesis, laying the groundwork for understanding this critical evolutionary process.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013120 |
| spellingShingle | James M Bowen Krista Gunter Andrew M Lunel Dorcus C A Omoga Jennifer E Jones Henry Giesel W Paul Duprex Natasha L Tilston Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| title | Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. |
| title_full | Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. |
| title_fullStr | Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. |
| title_short | Probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using Bunyamwera and Batai viruses as models. |
| title_sort | probing orthobunyavirus reassortment using bunyamwera and batai viruses as models |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013120 |
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