# REPLICATION AND INTERFERENCE OF RNA VIRUSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 1990 · $217,906

## Abstract

Our long range goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of
transcription and replication of the RNA genomes of the negative
strand viruses.  For VSV, we will determine the transcriptive
properties of a synthetic virion (-) strand nucleocapsid which can
be assembled from synthetic RNA and purified N protein in vivo.
We will test the ability of this nucleocapsid to bind the
individual VSV polymerase subunits derived from purified virus or
synthesized de novo from an expression vector.  Productive binding
will be measured by synthesis of (+) strand leader RNA from the
nucleocapsid.  By mutating the RNA of the nucleocapsid, we can
identify the cis sequences in the RNA which regulate transcription
and RNA processing.  We plan to extend our studies on the sequence
requirements for the specific in vitro encapsidation of synthetic
VSV RNAs by purified wild type and mutant N proteins.  Ultimately
we would like to assemble defective interfering nucleocapsids in
order to identify the minimal sequences which are required for
replication and interference in vitro.  We also plan to
characterize a newly discovered cellular factor which confers
specificity for VSV RNA on the encapsidation process.

Using Sendai virus, a system very amenable for in vitro replication
studies, we hope to understand the functional domains of the viral
proteins required for the various steps of RNA replication.  We
will synthesize wild type and mutant NP (nucleocapsid) proteins via
an expression vector containing the NP cDNA for use in replication
reconstitution experiments.  We shall identify and characterize a
second viral protein which is required for the initiation step of
SV RNA encapsidation.  We shall characterize the nature of the
interaction between and the roles of the Sendai virus M protein and
cellular actin which act to inhibit viral RNA synthesis and promote
morphogenesis, respectively, utilizing purified and/or genetically
engineered proteins.  For both viruses we shall continue to
characterize the role of tubulin and MAPs in RNA synthesis by
studying how these proteins interact with the RNA polymerase
subunits and the RNA-N template and affect transcription.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125810
- **Project number:** 5R01AI014594-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNFQH1JAPEP3
- **Principal Investigator:** Sue A. Moyer
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $217,906
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-06-01 → 1994-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125810

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125810, REPLICATION AND INTERFERENCE OF RNA VIRUSES (5R01AI014594-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125810. Licensed CC0.

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