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Characterization and mapping of simian varicella virus transcripts
W L Gray1, N Gusick, T M Fletcher
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock 72205.
The Journal of General Virology
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Simian varicella virus (SVV) infection in Vero cells leads to the transcription of its entire genome. Researchers identified 53 distinct viral RNA species, revealing analogous gene organization with varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Simian varicella virus (SVV) is a model for studying human alphaherpesviruses.
- Understanding viral gene expression is crucial for comprehending viral replication and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the size and genomic location of viral transcripts during SVV infection.
- To construct a transcript map of the SVV genome.
- To compare the gene organization of SVV with varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Main Methods:
- Isolation of total cellular RNA and polyadenylated RNA from SVV-infected and mock-infected Vero cells.
- Northern blot hybridization analysis using overlapping SVV DNA probes.
- Construction of a viral transcript map based on hybridization results.
Main Results:
- All regions of the SVV genome are transcribed during in vitro infection.
- At least 53 distinct viral RNA species, ranging from 9.2 to 0.8 kilobases (kb), were detected.
- Probes from SVV's long (L) and short (S) components hybridized to 44 and 9 RNA species, respectively.
- The SVV transcript map showed analogous gene organization to VZV.
Conclusions:
- SVV infection results in the comprehensive transcription of its genome.
- The study provides a detailed transcript map of the SVV genome.
- Findings support the conserved gene organization between SVV and VZV, offering insights into alphaherpesvirus evolution.