Title
The host genetics of the IFITM locus and its role in Flavivirus and Orthomyxovirus infection
Authors
Abstract
The interferon inducible transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a restriction factor that inhibits the infection of a number of viruses including dengue and influenza viruses. It prevents
cytosolic entry of these viruses by blocking virus fusion with cell endosome membranes. Identifying genetic variation in host factors such as IFITM3 is essential for understanding the
pathogenicity of viral infections. However, the full degree of genetic variation in the IFITM locus comprised of IFITM1, 2, 3 and 5 is not known due to poor mapping quality of this
region. To address this, I have carried out a pilot study to sequence this locus in lymphoblastoid cell lines using Agilent SureSelect target enrichment system for targeted resequencing on the PacBio RS and MiSeq technologies. I have taken advantage of the long read output of the PacBio sequencing data to efficiently identify single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels. The anticipated continuation of this study is to engineer identified synonymous and non-synonymous mutations into an IFITM functional assay and investigate the effect of these mutations on dengue and influenza virus infections.
cytosolic entry of these viruses by blocking virus fusion with cell endosome membranes. Identifying genetic variation in host factors such as IFITM3 is essential for understanding the
pathogenicity of viral infections. However, the full degree of genetic variation in the IFITM locus comprised of IFITM1, 2, 3 and 5 is not known due to poor mapping quality of this
region. To address this, I have carried out a pilot study to sequence this locus in lymphoblastoid cell lines using Agilent SureSelect target enrichment system for targeted resequencing on the PacBio RS and MiSeq technologies. I have taken advantage of the long read output of the PacBio sequencing data to efficiently identify single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels. The anticipated continuation of this study is to engineer identified synonymous and non-synonymous mutations into an IFITM functional assay and investigate the effect of these mutations on dengue and influenza virus infections.