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Research Note: Duck plague virus pUL48 is a late protein that plays an important role in viral replication

Tong Zhou1, Mingshu Wang1, Peilin Ruan1

  • 1Avian Center of Disease Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, Sichuan Povince, 611130, China; Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, Sichuan Povince, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu City, Sichuan Povince, 611130, China.

Poultry Science
|December 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Duck plague virus (DPV) pUL48 protein is crucial for viral replication and infectious virion formation. This study demonstrates its role in DPV cell-to-cell transmission and viral genome transcription.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Animal Pathology

Background:

  • Duck plague virus (DPV) causes significant mortality in waterfowl.
  • The DPV pUL48 protein is homologous to herpes simplex virus VP16, known to be essential for viral replication.
  • Limited research exists on the specific function of DPV pUL48.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the DPV pUL48 protein in viral replication and pathogenesis.
  • To characterize a UL48-deleted DPV mutant and assess the impact of pUL48 deletion.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a UL48-deleted DPV mutant (DPV-BAC-∆UL48) and its revertant (DPV-BAC-∆UL48R) using the 2-step red recombination system.
  • Comparative analysis of viral titers, infectious virion production, and plaque sizes between the mutant and parental/revertant viruses.
  • Pharmacological inhibition assays to determine the temporal expression of pUL48.

Main Results:

  • The UL48-deleted mutant showed a >38.2% reduction in viral titer and significantly reduced infectious virion production compared to controls.
  • Plaque size was reduced by approximately 30% in the UL48-deleted mutant, indicating impaired cell-to-cell transmission.
  • Pharmacological assays confirmed pUL48 as a late viral protein.

Conclusions:

  • The DPV pUL48 protein, a late gene product, is essential for efficient viral replication.
  • pUL48 influences infectious virion formation, cell-to-cell transmission, and viral genome transcription.
  • Understanding pUL48 function aids in DPV prevention and control strategies.
Keywords:
duck plague viruslate genepUL48 proteinviral replication

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