Human cytomegalovirus UL102 gene

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a significant pathogen.
• The helicase-primase complex is essential for viral DNA replication.
• The precise role and transcription of the UL102 gene product, proposed as a primase-associated factor, were not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize the transcript of the HCMV UL102 gene.
• To determine the role of the UL102 gene product in the helicase-primase complex.
• To analyze the transcriptional unit and regulatory elements of UL102.

Main Methods:

• Single-stranded antisense RNA probes for transcript detection.
• cDNA library screening and isolation.
• DNA sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic regions.
• Primer extension analysis for transcriptional start site determination.

Main Results:

• An abundant 2.7-kb transcript originating from the UL102 region was identified.
• The transcript was detected 24 hours post-infection and was dependent on viral replication but not protein synthesis.
• Sequence analysis confirmed an unspliced transcript encoding the primase-associated factor, with consistent genomic and cDNA sequences across different HCMV strains.

Conclusions:

• The UL102 gene encodes the primase-associated factor, a component of the HCMV helicase-primase complex.
• Characterization of the UL102 transcription unit provides insights into viral DNA replication mechanisms.
• This study elucidates the molecular details of UL102 gene expression in HCMV.