Identification of the latency-associated transcript promoter by expression of rabbit beta-globin mRNA in mouse sensory nerve ganglia latently infected with a recombinant herpes simplex virus.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 latency-associated transcript (LAT) is expressed as a major species in latently infected mouse neurons. Previous sequence analysis revealed no obvious promoter elements near the 5' end of the LAT, but a TATA box and other potential promoter elements were found 700 base pairs upstream. A recombinant virus in which the rabbit beta-globin gene was inserted immediately downstream of the TATA box expressed globin mRNA and did not express the LAT. A second recombinant virus, in which this TATA box was removed, was negative for LAT expression in a latent infection. The location of the LAT promoter suggested that RNA upstream of the LAT was synthesized and degraded during latent-phase transcription. Low levels of this RNA were observed by in situ hybridization. In other experiments, RNA from a productive infection was used to detect a transcript extending from the LAT promoter to a polyadenylation signal approximately 8.5 kilobase downstream. These data suggest that the LAT may be processed from a larger transcription unit which begins distal to the TATA box 700 base pairs upstream of the LAT and extends to a polyadenylation signal almost 5 kilobases downstream of the 3' end of the LAT.
Dobson
A T
AT
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Sederati
F
F
Devi-Rao
G
G
Flanagan
W M
WM
Farrell
M J
MJ
Stevens
J G
JG
Wagner
E K
EK
Feldman
L T
LT
D000818:Animals; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000032:analysis; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011061:Poly A / Q000032:analysis*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011817:Rabbits; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D012313:RNA; D005914:Globins