Coordinated cleavages in the flavivirus structural polyprotein: role in virus assembly and host-pathogen interaction

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Flaviviruses are important human pathogens responsible for epidemics of hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis, world-wide. This project aims to investigate unique aspects in the biology of the flaviviruses with wider cell biological and immunological implications. First, we propose to test a mechanism important for the efficient assembly of virus particles. An understanding of this stage of the virus life-cycle will benefit research applying recombinant DNA technology in order to produce replication-incompetent viruses for use in vaccination and gene delivery. Second, we have recently discovered a mechanism for immune-modulation, so far unique to the flaviviruses, which interferes with the immune response important in the destruction of virus-infected cells. This project aims to identify the viral gene products responsible for this phenomenon.