Research progress on the N gene of Akabane virus.

Abstract

Akabane disease, an arthropod-borne viral infection transmitted by Culicoides mosquitoes, causes severe reproductive disorders in livestock, including abortion, stillbirth, and congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome. Caused by Akabane virus (AKAV), a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus of the genus(family), this pathogen poses significant economic threats to global cattle and sheep industries. This review comprehensively examines the nucleocapsid protein (N) encoded by the AKAV S segment, which forms a conserved ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex essential for viral genome protection, replication, and transcription. The structural characteristics of the N gene were analyzed, its minimal genetic variation across genotypes (97-100% homology), and functional roles in viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, applications of the N gene in diagnostic development (e.g., ELISA, PCR, colloidal gold immunoassays) and vaccine design were summarized, highlighting its utility as an immunogenic target due to high conservation and early antibody in-duction. By integrating these genetic, structural, and applied research advances, this review provides a theoretical foundation for novel control strategies against AKAV.