Project Number: 1940-32000-057-37
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 10, 2012
End Date: Jan 09, 2017

Objective:
The objective of this collaborative research project is to identify the host proteins that play critical roles in the process of virus replication. Identified host proteins will be characterized in terms of cell location, interaction’s kinetics, and participation of the virus cycle. Additionally, the mapping of the specific areas of the host proteins responsible of the interaction with the virus proteins will be identified.

Approach:
The identified host proteins will be identified by the two hybrid yeast system. Those identified will be further characterized, particularly the molecular interaction between the host and virus proteins. Residues in the host proteins mediating the interaction with the virus proteins will be identified and characterized. Based on that information, the role of those residues in the process of virus replication will be assessed. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the different virus proteins are critical tools for this type of study since they allow the identification of the virus proteins in different methodological procedures to study the characteristics of the interaction between the host and virus proteins.