Simian varicella virus: molecular virology
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. graywaynel@uams.edu
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|April 7, 2010
Summary
Simian varicella virus (SVV), a primate herpesvirus related to VZV, causes sporadic outbreaks in monkeys. This review details SVV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Simian varicella virus (SVV) is a primate herpesvirus.
- SVV is closely related to varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and shingles.
- Epizootics of simian varicella occur sporadically in facilities housing Old World monkeys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the molecular properties of Simian varicella virus (SVV).
- To provide an overview of the SVV genome, gene expression, and genetic manipulation.
- To highlight the potential of SVV in vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Simian varicella virus (SVV).
- Analysis of SVV genome size, structure, and gene arrangement.
- Characterization of SVV gene expression patterns (immediate early, early, late).
Main Results:
- SVV and VZV share similar genome size, structure, and gene arrangement.
- The SVV genome is 124.5 kbp, encoding 69 distinct open reading frames.
- Genetic approaches enable SVV mutant creation for pathogenesis studies.
Conclusions:
- SVV molecular properties are well-defined, showing genomic similarity to VZV.
- SVV mutants are valuable tools for studying viral pathogenesis, latency, and reactivation.
- Genetically modified SVV strains show promise as recombinant varicella vaccines.
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