A computational approach to design putative potential siRNAs for silencing the nucleoprotein and surface glycoprotein gene of MARV

Abstract

Marburg virus (MARV), a member of the Filoviridae family, is the causal agent of a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever with mortality rates ranging from 23% to 90% in humans. This virus is endemic to central Africa and leads to sporadic outbreaks from time to time with a significant death toll. Despite the severity of the disease caused by filoviruses, no licensed vaccine or therapeutic is available. MARV contains a nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome composed of seven genes of which the surface glycoprotein mediates entry into host cells and the nucleoprotein is essential for genome replication. The indispensable roles of these genes in the viral life cycle make them suitable targets for designing therapeutics. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising option of antiviral therapy utilizing the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway by suppressing viral gene expression through hybridization and neutralization of complementary target mRNA. In this study, we aim to harness the power of RNA interference technology to develop siRNA molecules against specific target genes of MARV.