title: Rat cytomegalovirus open reading frame R44 is an early-late gene that encodes a nuclear protein.
abstract: Rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) open reading frame R44 is the homolog of human cytomegalovirus gene UL44, which encodes the DNA polymerase accessory protein. Here, we show that R44 is transcribed as a 3.6-kb mRNA within the early and late phases of infection in vitro. In order to find potential monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against the R44-encoded protein (pR44), a panel of anti-RCMV MoAbs was screened for binding to pR44 recombinant proteins. Thus, an anti-pR44 MoAb, termed RCMV8, was identified. By using this MoAb, pR44 could be detected as early as 8 h after RCMV infection in vitro. The pR44 protein was determined to have a molecular mass of approximately 55 kDa and was found to be localized to the nucleus of RCMV-infected cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaptein
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beuken
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Grauls
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bruggeman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins