Reverse genetics: Unlocking the secrets of negative sense RNA viral pathogens

Table 1 Outline of viral proteins that contribute to virulence as determined by reverse genetics

Virus	Virulence factors	Role in pathogenesis
Influenza A	Multibasic cleavage site	Facilitates viral spread to cells outside the respiratory tract
Ebola	Glycoprotein Viral protein 24 and nucleoprotein	Transmembrane form mediates host cell attachment and its soluble forms activate mononuclear phagocytes and endothelial cells Antagonists of IFN responses
	Viral protein 35	Viral polymerase cofactor that suppresses RIG-I like receptor signalling
Rabies	Glycoprotein	Neurotropic surface glycoprotein that facilitates spread to the brain
	Phosphoprotein	Viral polymerase cofactor and antagonist of IFN responses
Hendra and Nipah	Phosphoprotein	Viral polymerase cofactor and antagonist of IFN responses
	V and W proteins	Antagonists of IFN responses
	C protein	Regulates viral transcription and affects activation of innate immune cells

IFN: Interferon.