Influenza Virus Susceptibility of Wild-Derived CAST/EiJ Mice Results from Two Amino Acid Changes in the MX1 Restriction Factor.

ABSTRACT: The interferon-regulated Mx1 gene of the A2G mouse strain confers a high degree of resistance against influenza A and Thogoto viruses. Most other laboratory inbred mouse strains carry truncated nonfunctional Mx1 alleles and, consequently, exhibit high virus susceptibility. Interestingly, CAST/EiJ mice, derived from wild Mus musculus castaneus, possess a seemingly intact Mx1 gene but are highly susceptible to influenza A virus challenge. To determine whether the enhanced influenza virus susceptibility is due to intrinsically reduced antiviral activity of the CAST-derived Mx1 allele, we generated a congenic C57BL/6J mouse line that carries the Mx locus of CAST/EiJ mice. Adult animals of this line were almost as susceptible to influenza virus challenge as standard C57BL/6J mice lacking functi

SUBMITTER: Nurnberger C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5110186 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature