Fig. 5: Identification of SFTSV antiviral effectors in R. microplus BME6 cells.

BME6 cells were transfected with dsRNA targeting specific genes, grouped as follows: a–c dsRNA against Hsp68 (light pink) and Microplusin (dark pink). d–f Proteome-derived targets, including dsRNA against Croquemort (light green) and SCARB1 (dark green). g–l Interactome-derived targets, including dsRNA against DHX9 (light gray), PABP4 (sky blue), TRAF2 (blue), UPF1 (dark blue), and SMG7 (steel blue). Panels show: Knockdown efficiency (a, d, g, j) measured by RT-qPCR; SFTSV RNA levels (b, e, h, k) quantified by RT-qPCR; SFTSV titres (c, f, i, l) determined by plaque assay. Data are presented as individual dots representing three independent biological replicates. Box plots display the median (center line), 25th and 75th percentiles (box limits), and whiskers extending to 1.5× the interquartile range. Statistical significance was assessed using paired two-tailed Student’s t tests; significant p values are indicated where applicable. RT-qPCR fold changes were calculated using the 2^–ΔΔCT method with RPS4 as the housekeeping gene. Source data are provided in the Source Data file.