title: Human cytomegalovirus latency-associated protein LUNA is expressed during HCMV infections in vivo.
abstract: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) latency is poorly understood. We previously described a novel HCMV latency-associated transcript, UL81-82ast, coding for a protein designated LUNA (latency unique natural antigen). The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of LUNA in HCMV-seropositive donors. Standard co-immunoprecipitation and ELISA assays were used to detect antibodies against the LUNA protein in the sera of HCMV-seropositive donors. Specific antibodies against LUNA were detected in all HCMV-seropositive donors but in none of the seronegative donors. These data confirm that LUNA is expressed during in vivo infections and is capable of eliciting an immune response.
authors.affiliation: Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, 110, avenue des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
authors.forename: Mariana G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bego
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Keyes
authors.forename: Jarek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: St Jeor
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins