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Transcriptional analysis of porcine circovirus-like virus P1
Li-bin Wen1, Feng-zhi Wang2, Kong-wang He3
1Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences · Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture · National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, 210014, China. wlbwh@hotmail.com.
Background:
Recently identified porcine circovirus-like virus P1 has the smallest DNA viral genome. In this study, we identified the viral genes and their corresponding mRNA transcripts.
Results:
The RNAs of P1, synthesized in porcine kidney cells, were examined with northern blotting and PCR analyses. Eight virus-specific RNAs were detected. Four mRNAs (open reading frames (ORFs) 1, 2, 4, and 5) are encoded by the viral (-) strand and four (ORFs 3, 6, 7, and 8) are encoded by the viral (+) strand. All proteins encoded by the ORFs of the P1 virus are less than 50 amino acids in length, except that encoded by ORF1 (113 amino acids).
Conclusions:
We show a very complex viral transcription pattern in P1-infected cells.
Insights
Porcine circovirus-like virus P1, with the smallest DNA viral genome, exhibits a complex transcription pattern. Researchers identified eight virus-specific RNAs, with four mRNAs transcribed from each DNA strand.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Porcine circovirus-like virus P1 (P1) possesses the smallest known DNA viral genome.
- Understanding the gene expression of novel viruses is crucial for virological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the viral genes and mRNA transcripts of porcine circovirus-like virus P1.
- To elucidate the transcription pattern of P1 in infected cells.
Main Methods:
- Northern blotting and PCR analyses were employed to examine P1 RNAs.
- RNA synthesis was performed in porcine kidney cells.
Main Results:
- Eight virus-specific RNAs were detected in P1-infected cells.
- Four mRNAs were encoded by the viral negative strand (ORFs 1, 2, 4, 5) and four by the positive strand (ORFs 3, 6, 7, 8).
- Most P1-encoded proteins are small (<50 amino acids), with the exception of ORF1 (113 amino acids).
Conclusions:
- Porcine circovirus-like virus P1 displays a highly complex viral transcription pattern.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of gene expression in viruses with minimal genomes.
