Project description:Large DNA viruses are known to manipulate and modify host miRNAs during infection. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of infection with the large DNA virus; African swine fever virus (ASFV) on host miRNAs. Small RNA sequencing libraries were prepared from RNA extracted from ASFV (Benin 97/1) infected primary porcine macrophages at 0, 6 and 16 hours post infection. Libraries were pooled and sequenced on 1 lane of an Illumina HiSeq, yielding sequences aligning to a total of 247 different mature Sus scrofa miRNAs. On average, 3779095 (± 1911525) miRNA reads were obtained per sample. The results revealed no widespread modification to host miRNAs, though a number of specific miRNAs were differentially expressed during ASFV infection. Notably, a small number of miRNAs (Ssc-miR-10b, Ssc-miR-144 and Ssc-miR-486) were rapidly upregulated 2-6 fold within the first hour of infection.
Project description:African swine fever virus is highly contagious and causes a fatal infectious disease in pigs, resulting in a significant global impact on pork supply. The African swine fever virus RNA polymerase serves as a crucial multifunctional protein complex responsible for genome transcription and regulation. Therefore, it is essential to investigate its structural and functional characteristics for the prevention and control of African swine fever. Here, we determine the structures of endogenous African swine fever virus RNA polymerase in both nucleic acid-free and elongation states. The African swine fever virus RNA polymerase shares similarities with the core of typical RNA polymerases, but possesses a distinct subunit M1249L. Notably, the dynamic binding mode of M1249L with RNA polymerase, along with the C-terminal tail insertion of M1249L in the active center of DNA-RNA scaffold binding, suggests the potential of M1249L to regulate RNA polymerase activity within cells. These results are important for understanding the transcription cycle of African swine fever virus and for developing antiviral strategies.
