title: The Varicella-zoster virus ORF54 gene product encodes the capsid portal protein, pORF54.
abstract: The Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ORF54 gene was characterized using a guinea pig antiserum prepared to a GST-pORF54 fusion protein. A protein of the predicted size, 87kDa, was detected in VZV-infected MeWo cells but not in mock-infected cells. Sucrose density gradient fractionation of pORF54 expressed in a recombinant baculovirus system resulted in samples containing enriched amounts of pORF54. Electron microscopic analysis suggested that the ORF54 gene encodes a protein that assembles into ring-like portal structures similar to those observed for numerous bacteriophages and other herpesviruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, United States.
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Debra M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Visalli
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Burnside
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Visalli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002460:Cell Line; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016366:Open Reading Frames
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins