Optimal Expression of the envelope Glycoprotein of Orthobrornaviruses Determines the Production of Mature Virus Particles

Borna disease virus 1, a member of the genus Orthobornavirus, is characterized by its long term gene expression. For improving reproduction RNA virus-based episomal vector system, authors focused on that expression of G protein which is type I surface glycoprotein and contains signal peptide is important for Bornavirus infection to cell. They confirmed the importance of G expression for reproduction of infectious viral particles. As the results, excessive G expression of most Bornavirus except canary bornavirus didn’t affect reproduction but reduces infectious reproduced particles with mature G and genomic RNA. These results suggest that limitation of G expression is necessary for normal Borna viral particle production, because increased pre-G inhibits cleavage of G and introduction of mature-G and viral genomic RNA into particles.

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