Structural organization of Negeviruses and their mechanisms of entry into the mosquito host cells

Negeviruses are a recently discovered taxon of arthropod restricted enveloped, positive sense, RNA viruses, infecting blood sucking insects. In contrast to classical arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses like dengue and chikungunya, infecting both insects and vertebrate species, Negeviruses are considered to be restricted to insects without known vertebrate hosts. Several recent studies have described three ORFs in the viral genome, however their function and structure remain uncharacterized. We focus on structural characterization of the viral proteins, organization of the virion and the principles of their interaction with the host cell. We purified the virion particles of Negev virus produced in mosquito cells and identified its structural components. In addition, we describe structural and functional properties of Negevirus envelope glycoproteins using recombinant proteins and glycoprotein targeting antibodies. We combine biochemical, structural and cell biology techniques to unravel mechanisms of Negev virus interaction with the mosquito host cell.