Figure 5. vRNA binding by RIG-I.

GFP-RIG-I expressed by 293T cells was coupled to protein G Sepharose beads via a GFP-specific antiserum. Beads were incubated with vRNAs of either RVFV, HTNV, CCHFV, or BDV. After extensive washing, RNAs were extracted from the precipitates and cDNA synthesis was performed using random hexanucleotide oligomers. An aliquot of 10% of the input RNA was kept as RT-PCR control (first lane). All precipitated RNAs were subjected to RT-PCR specific for sequences of RVFV (panel 1), HTNV (panel 2), CCHFV (panel 3), and BDV (panel 4). H₂O was used as negative control.