Evaluation of packaging capacity at the genomic 2C/3A junction region in Porcine enterovirus G

Porcine enterovirus G (EV-G) is endogenous to most pig farming countries worldwide. Reports that a papain-like protease (PLP) gene has been naturally inserted into the 2C/3A junction region of the EV-G genome, has increased the potential public health threats from this virus. We constructed a full-length infectious cDNA clone of EV-G, CH/17GXQZ/2017, in order to determine the packaging capacity at the 2C/3A insertion site. Subsequently, recombinants viruses containing the coding tags, GFP, iLOV and His at the 2C/3A junction region, were synthesized. The infectious virus was successfully rescued only with the insertion of the His-tag, which displayed similar virological and molecular properties to its parental strain. This study determined the packaging capacity of the 2C/3A insertion site, and it provides a practical tool for studying the functions and pathogenic mechanisms of EV-G in pigs.