title: Insights into the function of tegument proteins from the varicella zoster virus.
abstract: Chickenpox (varicella) is caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV), which can establish long-term latency in the host ganglion. Once reactivated, the virus can cause shingles (zoster) in the host. VZV has a typical herpesvirus virion structure consisting of an inner DNA core, a capsid, a tegument, and an outer envelope. The tegument is an amorphous layer enclosed between the nucleocapsid and the envelope, which contains a variety of proteins. However, the types and functions of VZV tegument proteins have not yet been completely determined. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on the multiple roles played by VZV tegument proteins during viral infection. Moreover, we discuss the VZV tegument protein-protein interactions and their impact on viral tissue tropism in SCID-hu mice. This will help us develop a better understanding of how the tegument proteins aid viral DNA replication, evasion of host immune response, and pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: NingShao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016513:Mice, SCID; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014774:Virulence; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins