Figure 1.
Construction and characterization of chimeric pestiviruses. (A) Genome structure of the chimeric CSFV vaccine candidates. The reverse genetic system allows to generate synthetic genome-like RNAs of CSFV Alfort-p2477 by sp6-driven RNA synthesis after plasmid linearization with SmaI. The chimeric derivatives of CSFV designated “Ra”, “Pro” and “RaPro” contain the Erns coding sequences of the Norway rat and Pronghorn pestiviruses or a combination of both, respectively. Adaptive mutations identified in the “Ra” and “RaPro” vaccine stocks are indicated as asterisks. (B) Porcine kidney cell cultures three days after infection with the chimeric pestiviruses “Ra”, “RaPro” and “Pro” and visualization by immunoperoxidase staining with the pestivirus specific mab BVD/C16.