Identification and DNA sequence analysis of the Marek's disease virus serotype 2 genes homologous to the herpes simplex virus type 1 UL20 and UL21

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 587 - 593
• Main Authors: Hatama, S. (Tokyo Univ. (Japan)), Jang, H.K, Izumiya, Y, Cai, J.S, Tsushima, Y, Kato, K, Miyazawa, T, Kai, C, Takahashi, E, Mikami, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.06.1999; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: ADN; Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; CHICKENS; DNA; GENE; GENES; Genetic Vectors; Genome, Viral; Herpes simplex virus 1; Herpesvirus; Herpesvirus 1, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 2, Gallid - classification; Herpesvirus 2, Gallid - genetics; HERPETOVIRIDAE; Marek's disease herpesvirus; MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS; Marek's disease virus serotype 2; Molecular Sequence Data; NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE; ORF 273; POLLO; POULET; SECUENCIA NUCLEOTIDICA; Sequence Analysis, DNA; SEQUENCE NUCLEOTIDIQUE; SEROTIPOS; SEROTYPE; SEROTYPES; Serotyping; UL20; UL21; Viral Proteins - genetics; VIRUS ENFERMEDAD DE MAREK; VIRUS MALADIE DE MAREK
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.61.587

We determined 3, 135 bp of the nucleotide sequence located in an 8.5 kb EcoRI-E fragment in the unique long (UL) genome region of Marek's disease virus serotype 2 (MDV2), and identified UL20 and UL21 homologous genes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The UL20 and UL21 homologous genes of MDV2 are arranged colinearly with the prototype sequence of HSV-1. In addition, an open reading frame (MDV2 ORF 273), which has been identified within the UL21 homologous gene of MDV2, has no apparent relation to any other known herpesvirus genes. Northern blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed the existance of RNA transcripts related to the UL20 and ORF 273 genes in MDV2-infected cells, except no transcript related to the UL21 gene being detected. The putative protein product of the MDV2 UL20 gene had a relatively low homology but that of the MDV2 UL21 gene had a moderate homology among herpesviruses. Further, the possible functions and features of the predicted proteins encoded within the sequenced region are discussed.