title: Trans-activation of viral tk promoters by proteins encoded by varicella zoster virus open reading frames 61 and 62.
abstract: Plasmids containing the varicella zoster virus (VZV) open reading frames (ORFs) 61 and 62 were used in a transient co-transfection assay to test for trans-activation of the VZV and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase (tk) promoters. The trans-activating potential of the polypeptides encoded by these VZV ORFs, designated p51 and p140, was compared to that of their HSV-1 homologs ICP0 and ICP4, respectively. VZV p51 was functionally inactive in this system while p140 appeared to be a much stronger transcriptional activator than ICP4. Co-transfection of plasmids encoding VZV p140 and HSV-1 ICP0 resulted in a synergistic activation of the reporter gene as has been shown for the combination of ICP4 and ICP0.
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Centers, Colorado Neuroscience Institute, Department 7500LB, Englewood 80150-0101.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Cabirac
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wellish
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gilden
mesh_terms: D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins; D008156:Luciferases; D013937:Thymidine Kinase