Project Number: 3625-32000-088-06
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2008
End Date: Dec 31, 2009

Objective:
Identify the underlying viral-specific elements of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) disease pathogenesis. The goal of the study is to gain knowledge on the critical domains of PRRSV nonstructural protein 2, to assess the growth characteristics of constructed deletion mutants, to understand if the immune response of swine to the deletion mutants is altered, and to localize the protein in infected cells.

Approach:
Identify the underlying viral-specific elements of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) disease pathogenesis. 1. Test the hypothesis that nsp2 harbors dispensable domains for nsp2 function. 2. Test the hypothesis that the porcine immune response will be improved by modification of nsp2 in recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV). 3. Test the hypothesis that PRRSV nsp2 is targeted to the endosome-lysosome system.