Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Characterization of human cytomegalovirus UL146 transcripts
1Clinical Genetics Department, The Affiliated Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, 110004 Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
Background:
The genome of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been studied extensively, particularly in the UL/b' region. In this study, transcripts of one of the UL/b' genes, UL146, were identified in 3 HCMV isolates obtained from urine samples of congenitally infected infants.
Methods:
Northern blot hybridization, cDNA library screening, and RACE-PCR were used.
Results:
All sequences of clones from a cDNA library were about 3225 bp in length with the same 5' and 3' ends. The results were accordant with that analyzed by Northen-blot and RACE-PCR in three HCMV clinical isolates. The transcript initiated from the region upstream of UL146 flanking region and terminated just downstream of UL132 including UL146, UL147, UL147A, UL148, and UL132 ORFs. Treatment of the infected cells with phosphonoacetic acid inhibited its transcription.
Conclusions:
UL146 ORF was transcribed with 4 downstream ORFs from UL147 to UL132 at true late kinetics. The transcript of UL146 initiated at 73nt upstream of UL146 and terminated just downstream of UL132 in the 3 clinical isolates.
Insights
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL146 gene transcripts were identified in infant isolates. This transcript includes UL146 and four downstream open reading frames (ORFs), indicating true late gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome research, especially the UL/b' region.
- Identification of UL146 gene transcripts in three HCMV isolates from congenitally infected infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the transcription of the HCMV UL146 gene and its associated downstream ORFs.
- To determine the initiation and termination sites of the UL146 transcript.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot hybridization
- cDNA library screening
- Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends-PCR (RACE-PCR)
Main Results:
- A transcript of approximately 3225 bp was identified, containing UL146 and four downstream ORFs (UL147 to UL132).
- Transcript initiation occurred upstream of UL146, and termination was downstream of UL132.
- Phosphonoacetic acid treatment inhibited the transcription of this gene cluster.
Conclusions:
- The UL146 open reading frame (ORF) is co-transcribed with four downstream ORFs (UL147-UL132) at true late kinetics.
- The transcript initiates 73 nucleotides upstream of UL146 and terminates downstream of UL132 in clinical HCMV isolates.
Related Concept Videos
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Leaky Scanning
Human Virome
Viruses with RNA Genomes

