The latency associated transcripts (LAT) of herpes simplex virus: still no end in sight

The herpes simplex virus latency associated transcripts (LAT) are the only viral gene products that accumulate to a high concentration in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) of latently infected animals. Their abundance is particularly surprising, since they are thought to be the introns of a larger, approximately 8.3 kb precursor. LAT are not linear molecules. Therefore they are either a circle or a lariat that is not debranched. This structure could explain their unusual high stability. Moreover, the functional potential of stable, nuclear RNA has been demonstrated in other biological systems and could offer a clue as to the mechanism of action of LAT. Therefore, the non-linear nature of LAT and functional implications mean that both literally and figuratively, there is no end in sight for this unusual molecule.