Exploring the Relationship Between Lone Star Virus and Synaptogyrin-2 Using Novel Viral and Host Models of Infections

Sequence variation and evidence of viral heterogeneity were detected across all segments of the LSV TMA 1381 strain (4 missense substitutions out of 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified, <i>q</i> > 16). Important amino acid sequence differences for the nonstructural protein, known to directly interact with host SYNGR2, were observed between LSV and other bandaviruses (15.5-47.4%). The change in <i>SYNGR2</i> expression in wild-type Vero cells was limited following LSV infection (1.77-fold). No difference in estimated LSV titer was detected between wild-type and <i>SYNGR2</i>-KO Vero cells (<i>p</i> > 0.16). Our data illustrate key distinctions from previous <i>Bandavirus</i> reports and underline the need for future studies to explore the mechanisms of LSV replication and pathogenesis.