Research Progress on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus NSP7 Protein

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Research on the NSP7 protein is of great significance in the diagnosis, prevention, and control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). We summarize its genetic variation, recombination hotspots and breakpoints, replication, virulence, immune mechanisms, and interaction with viral proteins and host proteins, which provide theoretical support for its application in PRRS diagnosis, novel vaccine design, and therapeutic drug development. ABSTRACT: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious and severe infectious disease caused by the PRRS virus (PRRSV). PRRS is characterized by reproductive disorders in sows and respiratory dysfunction in pigs. Non-structural protein 7 (NSP7) is one of the most conserved functional proteins in PRRSV, and it plays an important role in viral replication and humoral immune responses in infected hosts. This review discusses the biological characteristics of NSP7 to provide theoretical support for its application in PRRS diagnosis, novel vaccine design, and therapeutic drug development.