Recombinant rift valley fever virus encoding a dominant-negative inhibitor of DSRNA-dependent protein kinase in the NSS region
Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and compositions comprising a Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) wherein a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) inhibitor is inserted into the NSs region of the virus.
1. A Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) S genome segment comprising a heterologous nucleic acid inserted into the NSs coding region of the RVFV, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid encodes a dominant negative dsRNA dependent protein kinase (PKR) inhibitor of SEQ ID NO:2.
2. The S genome segment of claim 1 , wherein S genome segment comprises a deletion of all or substantially all of NSs gene.
3. A vector encoding the S genome segment of claim 1 .
4. An isolated cell expressing the genome segment of claim 1 .
5. An attenuated virus comprising the S genome segment of claim 1 .
6. The attenuated virus of claim 5 , wherein the Rift Valley fever virus is a MP-12 Rift Valley fever virus.
7. An immunogenic composition comprising the attenuated virus of claim 5 .
8. The composition of claim 7 , further comprising an adjuvant.
9. A kit comprising an S genome segment of claim 1 , a virus of claim 5 , or an immunogenic composition of claim 6 .