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Related Concept Videos

Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Transposons01:24

Transposons

Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

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Updated: May 22, 2026

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
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Human CMV transcripts: an overview.

Yanping Ma1, Ning Wang, Mali Li

  • 1Virus Laboratory, the Affiliated Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning of PR China, China.

Future Microbiology
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Summary

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome has over 165 genes, but understanding their expression and function remains challenging. Research is ongoing to elucidate the complex transcriptional landscape of this virus.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

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Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
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Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome is a large dsDNA molecule with over 165 predicted open reading frames.
  • Despite the availability of the HCMV genome sequence since 1991, the precise number and function of viral genes are not fully understood.
  • Fewer than 100 HCMV genes have been well-characterized regarding their expression patterns and transcriptional structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the complexity of the HCMV genome and its transcriptional units.
  • To discuss the challenges in elucidating viral gene expression and function.
  • To review recent findings on antisense and noncoding transcripts in HCMV.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of the HCMV genome sequence.
  • Review of existing literature on HCMV gene expression and transcription.
  • Analysis of transcript structures, including polycistronic and nested genes.
  • Examination of alternative splicing events and their products.
  • Inclusion of recent findings on noncoding RNAs.

Main Results:

  • The HCMV genome features a high density of genes, leading to numerous overlapping transcriptional units.
  • Complex transcriptional strategies include overlapping polycistronic transcripts and nested open reading frames.
  • Alternative splicing significantly contributes to the diversity of HCMV gene products.
  • Antisense and noncoding transcripts have been identified, suggesting regulatory roles.

Conclusions:

  • The HCMV genome presents a complex transcriptional landscape with overlapping units and alternative splicing.
  • Further research is needed to fully characterize the function of all HCMV genes and transcripts.
  • Noncoding RNAs may play crucial roles in HCMV replication and gene regulation.