Chimeric pestivirus with insertion in 3' nontranslated region (3' ntr) with stable replication and rnase resistance

Abstract

The construction of a chimeric Pestivirus by the identification of selected regions in the 3′NTR of the viral RNA genome is described where additional RNA sequences can be stably inserted. These sequence insertions in the viral RNA genome were stable in replication and capable of forming infectious, RNase resistant virus particles. This chimeric Pestivirus with a 3′NTR insertion can be utilized as a quality control material in analytical assays for RNA targets, including external, internal controls, quantitative standards in PCR and NAT nucleic acid assays.

1 . A chimeric viral RNA sequence comprising: a first virus RNA sequence from Pestivirus, and a second RNA sequence located within a 3′ NTR of the first Pestivirus RNA sequence downstream of a 5′ UGA box, wherein the chimeric viral RNA sequence is stable in RNA replication and forms a ribonuclease resistant viral particle. 
     
     
         2 .- 30 . (canceled)