title: Synthesis and decay of varicella zoster virus transcripts.
abstract: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly cell-associated. At least 68 VZV open reading frames (ORFs) are transcribed in varying amounts that increase as infection progresses. Using reverse transcriptase PCR, quantification of total and newly synthesized mRNA showed that ongoing VZV DNA replication is required for continued accumulation of VZV ORF 63, 9, and 40 transcripts. Analysis of stability of 4-thiouridine-labeled transcripts of nine VZV ORFs revealed a similar half-life for all VZV ORFs tested. Thus, difference in mRNA synthesis, and not mRNA decay, is the major factor contributing to the difference in the relative abundance of VZV transcripts in infected cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 E 19th Avenue, Box B182, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Yevgeniy
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Azarkh
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dölken
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilden
authors.forename: Randall J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cohrs
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D006207:Half-Life; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013891:Thiouridine / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D013891:Thiouridine; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid