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Nucleotide sequence and transcriptional mapping of the major capsid protein gene of pseudorabies virus
S Yamada1, T Imada, W Watanabe
1National Institute of Animal Health, Ibaraki, Japan.
Abstract:
The gene encoding the 142-kDa major capsid protein (MCP142) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) was isolated and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the MCP142 gene has a single open reading frame of 3993 nucleotides (nt) encoding 1330 amino acids. The 4400-nt major RNA from the MCP142 gene was detected in PrV-infected cells. The 5' end of the transcript was located 60 nt upstream of the initiation codon. The 3' end of the transcript was located 18 nt downstream of a putative poly(A) signal sequence TATAAA and 133 nt downstream of the termination codon. In comparing amino acid sequence homology between MCP142 of PrV and other available herpesviruses MCP was shown to have 58% homology with herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella-zoster virus, 27% with Epstein-Barr virus, and 24% with human herpesvirus 6 and human cytomegalovirus. It has greater homology with those of the alpha-herpesviruses than with those of the beta-herpesviruses and the gamma-herpesviruses.
Insights
Researchers sequenced the pseudorabies virus (PrV) major capsid protein 142-kDa (MCP142) gene. PrV MCP142 shows greater homology to alpha-herpesviruses than beta- or gamma-herpesviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The major capsid protein (MCP) is crucial for herpesvirus assembly.
- Understanding MCP structure and function aids in viral classification and therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and sequence the gene encoding the 142-kDa major capsid protein (MCP142) of pseudorabies virus (PrV).
- To analyze the nucleotide sequence, gene expression, and compare amino acid homology with other herpesviruses.
Main Methods:
- Gene isolation and nucleotide sequencing of PrV MCP142.
- RNA detection in infected cells via Northern blot analysis.
- Amino acid sequence homology comparison using bioinformatics tools.
Main Results:
- The PrV MCP142 gene consists of a 3993-nucleotide open reading frame encoding 1330 amino acids.
- A 4400-nt major RNA transcript was detected in PrV-infected cells.
- PrV MCP142 exhibits 58% homology with alpha-herpesviruses (HSV-1, VZV), lower homology with beta- and gamma-herpesviruses.
Conclusions:
- The PrV MCP142 gene structure and expression are characterized.
- Sequence homology data supports the classification of PrV within the alpha-herpesvirus subfamily.