Characterization of the molecular features of the pestivirus Erns protein with regard to ist function as structural component of the virion and virulence factor

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The Erns protein of pestiviruses represents a specifically interesting viral protein since it combines the role of a structural surface protein with functions in repression of the type 1 interferon response, establishment of persistent infection and virulence in the natural host with the latter three features linked to the RNase activity of this protein. The mechanisms underlying both functions of the protein are not known in detail and will be investigated in the planned studies. Major questions in context with the function as a structural protein concern the role of Erns in virion assembly and budding and identification of the structure responsible for sorting of the protein into the virus particle. A special focus of the work will be on the importance of the unusual Erns membrane anchor with its conserved amino acid motifs for these processes. The virulence factor function of Erns is so far regarded to depend on its intrinsic RNase activity, its dimerization and its partial secretion form the host cell. The planned work aims at elucidation of the biochemical and cell biological basis of these features of Erns. The results of this work will contribute to understanding general aspects of pestivirus biology and the interaction of these viruses with the immune system of their hosts.