title: Plasmid-associated effects on test gene expression and Marek's disease virus plaque formation during recombination trials.
abstract: Marek's disease virus (MDV), a herpesvirus of avian origin, is being examined for suitability as a vector for expressing foreign genes. We observed that plasmids encoding the LacZ gene of E. coli under the control of either the herpes simplex virus alpha 4 immediate-early promoter or the cytomegalovirus major immediate-early promoter inhibited MDV plaque formation. Plaque numbers were decreased by one-third, and transient expression of the beta-galactosidase reporter gene was increased by up to 6-fold, when the plasmids were linearized. Sequences associated with the heterologous promoter were identified as being responsible for inhibiting MDV replication.
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, E. Lansing, MI 48823.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D008381:Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D007763:Lac Operon; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D001616:beta-Galactosidase