Identification and Characterization of the UL24 Gene Product of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
2001
Hong-Yan, Zhu | Murata, Takayuki | Goshima, Fumi | Takakuwa, Hiroki | Koshizuka, Tetsuo | Yamauchi, Yohei | Nishiyama, Yukihiro
The UL24 gene of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is predicted to encode a 281 amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 30.5 kDa. In this study, the HSV-2 UL24 gene product has been identified by using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum produced against a recombinant protein containing the full-length UL24 gene product of HSV-2 fused to glutathione-S-transferase. The antiserum reacted specifically with a 32 kDa protein in HSV-2 186-infected Vero cells and with 31 and 32 kDa proteins in UL24-expressing Cos-7 cells. Accumulation of UL24 protein to detectable levels required viral DNA synthesis, indicating that the protein was regulated as a late gene. UL24 protein was found to be associated with purified HSV-2 virions and C capsids. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the UL24-specific fluorescence was detected in perinuclear regions of the cytoplasm and/or in the nucleus as small discrete granules from 9 h post infection (hpi). Furthermore, the UL24 protein expressed singly was detected predominantly in the nucleus and slightly in the cytoplasm at 24 h after transfection, with branch-like cytoplasmic protruding structures. Strong nucleolus staining was visible in partial cells.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library