A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus That Lacks the E Gene Is Attenuated In Vitro and In Vivo

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01467-06
• Publication Date: 2006-11-16T04:23:45Z
• Authors: Marta L. DeDiego; Enrique Álvarez; Fernando Almazán; María Teresa Rejas; Elaine Lamirande; Anjeanette Roberts; Wun-Ju Shieh; Sherif R. Zaki; Kanta Subbarao; Luis Enjuanes
• Keywords: Vero cell; Recombinant virus; Coronavirus; Attenuated vaccine; Nidovirales

A deletion mutant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been engineered by deleting the structural E gene in an infectious cDNA clone that was constructed as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). The recombinant virus lacking (rSARS-CoV-DeltaE) rescued Vero E6 cells. recovered grew E6, Huh-7, and CaCo-2 cells to titers 20-, 200-, 200-fold lower than wild-type virus, respectively, indicating although protein effect on growth, it is not essential for replication. No differences virion stability under wide range pH temperature were detected between viruses. Although both viruses showed same morphology electron microscopy, process morphogenesis seemed be less efficient with defective one. rSARS-CoV-DeltaE replicated 100- 1,000-fold upper tract hamsters, viral load accompanied inflammation lungs hamsters infected virus. Therefore, SARS-CoV lacks attenuated might safer research tool, may good candidate development live vaccine.