title: Characterization of the herpesvirus saimiri ORF73 gene product.
abstract: The herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) gene product encoded by ORF73 shares a limited homology with the ORF73 encoded protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). It has recently been shown that the KSHV ORF73 protein is expressed during a latent infection and co-localizes with host cell chromosomes, suggesting that it plays a role in episomal maintenance by tethering viral genomes to host cell chromosomes. At present the role of the HVS ORF73 gene product is unknown. However, the expression of HVS ORF73 in a stably transduced human carcinoma cell line, where the HVS genome persists as a non-integrated circular episome, has recently been shown. In this report, the characterization of the HVS ORF73 protein and the mapping of its functional domains are described. The results suggest that the HVS ORF73 gene encodes a 64 kDa nuclear protein. Moreover, the amino terminus contains two functional nuclear localization signals, whereas the carboxy terminus is required for the distinctive speckled nuclear distribution pattern as observed with both the HVS and KSHV ORF73 proteins.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Kersten T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Mathew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Delyth J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Calderwood
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Alexander F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK1.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D005814:Genes, Viral; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006567:Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C109540:latency-associated nuclear antigen