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Published on: December 4, 2007
Cellular gene expression survey of PseudoRabies Virus (PRV) infected Human Embryonic Kidney cells (HEK-293)
Yannick Blanchard1, Nolwenn Le Meur, Martine Le Cunff
1Laboratoire de Génétique Virale et Biosécurité, Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments, BP 53, 22440 Ploufragan, France. y.blanchard@afssa.fr
Abstract:
Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an alpha herpesvirus that causes Aujezsky disease in the pig. To characterize the impact of PRV infection on cellular expression, we used microarrays consisting of 9850 oligonucleotides corresponding to human genes and examined the expression levels of mRNA isolated 0.5, 3, 6, and 9 h post infection (hpi) from cultures of infected HEK-293 cells. Very few changes were observed during the first 3 h of infection but significant modifications in the cell expression of more than 1000 genes were clearly apparent by 6 hpi. More than 2400 genes were either up- or down-regulated during the 9 h experiment. These results were then analyzed using gene ontology and the MAPP and MAPPFinder software. This comprehensive analysis clearly shows that the down-regulated genes were mainly involved in macromolecular synthesis (DNA, RNA and proteins) and the cell cycle. The up-regulated genes primarily concerned the regulation of DNA transcription, developmental processes (central nervous system development, neurogenesis, angiogenesis), cell adhesion and potassium transport. This study is the first qualitative analysis of a gene expression survey in a human cell line following PRV infection. It demonstrates global changes in the cell expression profile, and identifies the main biological processes that are altered during virus replication.
Insights
Pseudorabies virus (PRV) significantly alters human cell gene expression, impacting over 2400 genes within 9 hours. Key affected processes include DNA/RNA synthesis, cell cycle, and nervous system development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus, causes Aujeszky's disease in pigs.
- Understanding viral impact on host cellular machinery is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze gene expression changes in human cells following PRV infection.
- To identify specific biological pathways affected by PRV replication.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microarrays with 9850 human gene oligonucleotides.
- Examined mRNA expression levels at 0.5, 3, 6, and 9 hours post-infection (hpi) in HEK-293 cells.
- Analyzed data using gene ontology and MAPPFinder software.
Main Results:
- Minimal gene expression changes observed within the first 3 hpi.
- Over 1000 genes showed significant expression modification by 6 hpi.
- More than 2400 genes were up- or down-regulated during the 9-hour experiment.
- Down-regulated genes primarily involved in macromolecular synthesis and cell cycle.
- Up-regulated genes focused on DNA transcription regulation, CNS development, cell adhesion, and potassium transport.
Conclusions:
- PRV infection induces global changes in human cellular gene expression profiles.
- Identified key biological processes altered during PRV replication, including macromolecular synthesis and neurodevelopmental pathways.
- This study provides the first qualitative gene expression analysis in a human cell line infected with PRV.
