title: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) U94/REP protein inhibits betaherpesvirus replication.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is the only human herpesvirus encoding U94/rep, homologue to the parvovirus non-structural gene rep68/78. Results to date suggest that HHV-6 U94/rep might regulate viral gene expression and have a role in viral latency. To determine the effect of U94/REP upon viral replication, the protein was produced. The purified U94/REP retained the characteristic immunological features. It was internalized and localized in the nucleus of human cells, showing marked inhibitory activity on the replication of HHV-6 (both variants A and B). The effect of U94/REP was dose-dependent and sensitive to treatment with single-stranded but not double-stranded DNA. U94/REP inhibited the replication of other betaherpesviruses, HHV-7 and human cytomegalovirus, but had no effect on herpes simplex virus. These results confirm the action of U94/rep latency gene in the regulation of HHV-6 replication with implications for co-reactivations and latency of human betaherpesviruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caselli
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bracci
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galvan
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotola
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergamini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cermelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dal Monte
authors.forename: Ursula A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Gompels
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassai
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Luca
mesh_terms: D018141:Betaherpesvirinae / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D021381:Protein Transport; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000502:physiology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins