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and B602L were consistently detected in infected animals, and so these proteins were validated as diagnostic antigens with a panel of field sera. For the proteins NP419L/DNA ligase, CP312R, B646L/p73, K196R/thymidine kinase and K205R, the antibody titres were significantly higher in animals developing lesions. Exceptionally, the antibody response to the A104R/ histone-like protein was higher in the asymptomatic infected pigs. In order to efficiently replicate in vivo, all viruses must have some mechanisms to either inhibit the expression of interferon (IFN) or block its actions on the target cells. In order to identify ASFV genes 19 able to modulate the IFN response, the immunodeterminants with unassigned functions were screened with a series of luciferase reporter gene assays. The K205R protein was shown to impair both the induction of IFN- β expression and the host cell response to IFN- α and IFN- γ. Importantly, this inhibition occurs at the level of the key transcription factors of the IFN response signalling cascades. 20 INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE AGRONOMIA 21 22 Metodologias integradas para a conservação de kiwi minimamente processado Sara Maria Martins Beirão da Costa Teixeira de Barros Doutoramento em: Engenharia Agro-Industrial Orientadora: Margarida Gomes Moldão Martins Provas concluídas em: 9 de Abril de 2008 Resumo O presente trabalho teve como principal objectivo o desenvolvimento de metodologias que permitam a melhoria / manutenção de qualidade de…