A novel herpes simplex virus gene (UL49A) encodes a putative membrane protein with counterparts in other herpesviruses

• Published in: Journal of general virology 1992-08, Vol.73 (8), p.2167-2171
• Main Authors: Barnett, Barbara C, Dolan, Aidan, Telford, Elizabeth A. R, Davison, Andrew J, McGeoch, Duncan J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes, Viral - genetics; Genetics; herpes simplex virus; Herpesviridae - genetics; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Open Reading Frames - genetics; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Simplexvirus - genetics; Viral Matrix Proteins - chemistry; Viral Matrix Proteins - genetics; Virology
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-73-8-2167

Institute of Virology, University of Glasgow, Church Street, Glasgow G11 5JR, U.K. Comparative analysis of DNA sequences located between the coding regions of genes UL49 and UL50 of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) has revealed a small open reading frame (ORF) of 91 and 87 codons respectively with the characteristics of a genuine protein-coding region. The predicted protein products are clearly related and exhibit features of membrane-inserted proteins, with potential N-proximal signal peptides and C-proximal membrane anchor regions. Counterparts are present in the other sequenced alphaherpesviruses, namely varicella-zoster virus (a previously undescribed gene, 9A) and equine herpesvirus type 1 (gene 10), in the betaherpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (gene UL73) and in the gammaherpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (gene BLRF1). Therefore, we consider that this ORF represents an additional HSV gene (UL49A) with counterparts in all sequenced alpha-, beta- and gammaherpesviruses. Members of the MRC Virology Unit. Received 19 February 1992; accepted 30 April 1992.