Transcriptome analysis reveals the host response to Schmallenberg virus in bovine cells and antagonistic effects of the NSs protein

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) belongs to the Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family. It causes mainly mild symptoms in adults but can also cause foetal malformations and abortions. As for other viruses within this family/genus the non-structural protein NSs has been identified as a major virulence factor. But despite of this little is known of the overall inhibitory effects and targets of NSs of orthobunyaviruses. In this study we use RNA-seq to investigate the host response to SBV as well to a mutant Schmallenberg virus lacking NSs (SBVdelNSs) in bovine primary cells.