Insertion of glycoprotein gene between P and M gene influences the pathogenicity of the rabies virus Flury LEP

Abstract:

Abstract: ［Objective］To study the biological characteristics and pathogenicity of a recombinant rabies virus Flury LEP (low egg passage) that has two glycoprotein genes (Ggene)．［Methods］By using reverse genetics techniques，we constructed a recombinant virus Flury LEP that has an additional G gene between P and M gene (rLEP-PGM)．Then we studied the biological characteristics of the recombinant virus and its pathogenicity on mice．［Results］The in vitro growth characteristic of rLEP-PGM were similar to the LEP strain． Western blot analysis of glycoprotein expression showed that the glycoprotein expression level of rLEP-PGM was 1.5 times higher than LEP． The LD50 of rLEP-PGM and LEP was 3 FFU and 1 FFU by intracerebral injection． However，the LD50 of intramuscular injection was 4×104 Lg FFU and 3.2×105 Lg FFU，respectively．［Conclusion］Insertion of an additional G gene between P and M gene can significantly raise the expression level of glycoprotein and enhance the ability to invade central nervous system from peripheral sites．