Application of versatile reverse genetics system for feline coronavirus

• Published in: Microbiology spectrum Vol. 13; no. 4; p. e0269224
• Main Authors: Kida, Izumi, Tamura, Tomokazu, Kuroda, Yudai, Fukuhara, Takasuke, Maeda, Ken, Matsuno, Keita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Animals; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Cats; Cell Line; Coronavirus, Feline - drug effects; Coronavirus, Feline - genetics; Coronavirus, Feline - growth & development; feline coronavirus; feline infectious peritonitis; Feline Infectious Peritonitis - virology; Genes, Reporter; Genome, Viral; Research Article; reverse genetics; Reverse Genetics - methods; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - genetics; Virology; Virus Replication; feline coronavirus; reverse genetics; feline infectious peritonitis
• ISSN: 2165-0497; 2165-0497
• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02692-24

Feline infectious peritonitis is a highly fatal disease in cats caused by feline coronavirus variants that can infect systemically. Due to the lack of a versatile toolbox for manipulating the feline coronavirus genome, an efficient method is urgently needed to study the virus proteins responsible for the severe disease. Herein, we established a rapid reverse genetics system for the virus and demonstrated the capability of the recombinant viruses to be introduced with desired modifications or reporter genes without any negative impacts on virus characteristics in cell culture. Recombinant viruses are also useful to evaluate antiviral efficacy. Overall, our system can be a promising tool to reveal the molecular mechanisms of the viral life cycle of feline coronavirus and disease progression of feline infectious peritonitis.