Development of a reverse genetics system to generate a recombinant Ebola virus Makona expressing a green fluorescent protein.

Albariño CG1, Wiggleton Guerrero L2, Lo MK2, Nichol ST2, Towner JS2.

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Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated the potential application of reverse genetics technology in studying a broad range of aspects of viral biology, including gene regulation, protein function, cell entry, and pathogenesis. Here, we describe a highly efficient reverse genetics system used to generate recombinant Ebola virus (EBOV) based on a recent isolate from a human patient infected during the 2014-2015 outbreak in Western Africa. We also rescued a recombinant EBOV expressing a fluorescent reporter protein from a cleaved VP40 protein fusion. Using this virus and an inexpensive method to quantitate the expression of the foreign gene, we demonstrate its potential usefulness as a tool for screening antiviral compounds and measuring neutralizing antibodies.

Published by Elsevier Inc.