title: The M4 gene of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 modulates latent infection.
abstract: Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) encodes a set of unique genes, M1, M2, M3 and M4, and eight non-translated tRNA-like molecules that are thought to be important in virus-host interactions and latent infection. The M4 gene is predicted to encode a novel secreted protein. To investigate the role of M4 in viral pathogenesis, a mutant MHV-68 that did not express M4 was constructed and its replication was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Virus replication was identical to the wild type in vitro and no difference could be detected in virus replication in the lung following intranasal infection. However, in the spleen, virus deficient in M4 expression was severely attenuated in the establishment of latency. These results indicate a critical role for M4 in MHV-68 pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Geere
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ligertwood
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Kerra M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Templeton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bennet
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Babunilayam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gangadharan
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Health and Welfare, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rhind
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Bernadette M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Dutia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009154:Mutation; D013154:Spleen / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017735:Virus Latency; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins