The human herpesvirus 6 U21-U24 gene cluster is dispensable for virus growth

Microbiol Immunol. 2015 Jan;59(1):48-53. doi: 10.1111/1348-0421.12208.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a T-lymphotrophic virus belongs to the genus Roseolovirus within the beta herpesvirus subfamily. The U20-U24 gene cluster is unique to Roseoloviruses; however, both their function and whether they are essential for virus growth is unknown. Recently, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) techniques have been used to investigate HHV-6A. This study describes generation of a virus genome lacking U21-U24 (HHV-6ABACΔU21-24) and shows that infectious virus particles can be reconstituted from this BAC DNA. Our data indicate that the HHV-6 U21-U24 gene cluster is dispensable for virus propagation.

Keywords: U21; U24; bacterial artificial chromosome; human herpesvirus-6.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Viral*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / growth & development
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / physiology*
  • Multigene Family*
  • Reverse Genetics
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virion / physiology
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • Viral Proteins