title: Characterization of a potent varicella-zoster virus-encoded trans-repressor.
abstract: Using a transient expression assay in Vero cells, we have shown that the protein product from gene 61 of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can repress the function of the VZV encoded trans-activators on putative viral immediate-early, early, and late gene promoters. The repression is exerted at the transcriptional level and requires functional gene 61 protein. This trans-repressor is the herpes simplex type 1 ICP0 (a trans-activator) homolog, as defined by gene location, the sharing of a cysteine-rich putative zinc-binding finger in the amino-terminal region, and limited amino acid homology. Open reading frame 61 (ORF61)-mediated trans-repression appears to be specific for VZV-encoded trans-activators in that it has no effect on simian virus 40 and Rous sarcoma virus promoters. Moreover, it does not inhibit trans-activation of the human T-lymphotropic virus type I and human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeats by tax and tat genes, respectively. We constructed plasmids with mutations in ORF61 and tested them for their ability to inhibit trans-activator (VZV genes 4 and 62)-mediated activation of the viral thymidine kinase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct. Mutants containing interruptions in ORF61 lost their trans-repressing ability, as demonstrated at both the protein and steady-state RNA levels. These results suggest that the ORF61 protein product can mediate down-regulation of VZV gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Medical Virology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagpal
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ostrove
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D014162:Transfection; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase