Detection and Characterization of Antiviral Proteins Against Bunyaviruses in Mosquito-Derived Cells

Methods Mol Biol. 2025:2893:73-84. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4338-9_7.

Abstract

Viruses of the class Bunyaviricetes are often transmitted by arthropods, including mosquitoes. The innate immune response in mosquitoes comprises several pathways, including sequence-specific degradation through RNA interference (RNAi). It is known that bunyavirus infections are targeted by the innate immune response in mosquitoes and derived cells; however, detailed information is often still missing. In this chapter, we describe a detailed protocol to determine if a protein of interest acts antiviral against bunyavirus infection in mosquito-derived cells. In line, we also describe a detailed protocol to investigate the effect of overexpression of a mosquito-encoded protein or analysis of mutant proteins on bunyavirus infection.

Keywords: Antiviral; Bunyaviricetes; Mosquito-derived cells; RNAi; dsRNA transfection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Bunyaviridae / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Culicidae* / virology
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Orthobunyavirus / genetics
  • Orthobunyavirus / immunology
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents