scholarly journals A unique spliced varicella-zoster virus latency transcript represses expression of the viral transactivator gene 61

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Depledge ◽  
Werner J. D. Ouwendijk ◽  
Tomohiko Sadaoka ◽  
Shirley E. Braspenning ◽  
Yasuko Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Viral Transactivator ◽  
Virus Latency ◽  
Latently Infected ◽  
Alternatively Spliced

During primary infection, neurotropic alphaherpesviruses (αHVs) gain access to neurons in sensory and cranial ganglia establishing lifelong latent infection from which they can later reactivate to cause debilitating disease1. For most αHVs, including the best-studied herpes simplex type 1 ( HSV-1), viral latency is characterized by expression of a single or restricted set of transcripts that map antisense to the open reading frame (ORF) homologous to the major HSV immediate early viral transactivator, ICP02. These latency transcripts, either directly or through encoded miRNAs or proteins, repress expression of the ICP0 orthologues3–5. The exception is varicella-zoster virus (VZV), an αHV which infects over 90% of adults and for which neither a canonical latency transcript1,6–8 nor a putative mechanism for repressing lytic transcription during latency have been identified. Here, we describe the discovery and functional characterization of a VZV latency transcript (VLT), that maps antisense to VZV ORF 61 (the VZV ICP0 homologue9,10), and which is consistently expressed in neurons of latently infected human trigeminal ganglia (TG). VLT encodes a protein with late kinetics during lytic VZV infection in vitro and in zoster skin lesions. Whereas multiple alternatively spliced VLT isoforms are expressed during lytic VZV infection, a single unique VLT isoform that specifically suppresses ORF61 gene expression predominates in latently VZV-infected human TG. The discovery of VLT directly unifies the latent VZV transcription program with those of better-characterized αHVs, removing longstanding barriers to understanding VZV latency and paving the way for research into the development of vaccines that do not establish latency or reactivate, and drugs that eradicate latent VZV.

scholarly journals The Varicella-Zoster Virus Open Reading Frame 63 Latency-Associated Protein Is Critical for Establishment of Latency

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 11833-11840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Cohen ◽  
Edward Cox ◽  
Lesley Pesnicak ◽  
Shamala Srinivas ◽  
Tammy Krogmann
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglia ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mutant Virus ◽  
Open Reading Frame ◽  
Parental Virus ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Latently Infected

ABSTRACT Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) expresses at least six viral transcripts during latency. One of these transcripts, derived from open reading frame 63 (ORF63), is one of the most abundant viral RNAs expressed during latency. The VZV ORF63 protein has been detected in human and experimentally infected rodent ganglia by several laboratories. We have deleted >90% of both copies of the ORF63 gene from the VZV genome. Animals inoculated with the ORF63 mutant virus had lower mean copy numbers of latent VZV genomes in the dorsal root ganglia 5 to 6 weeks after infection than animals inoculated with parental or rescued virus, and the frequency of latently infected animals was significantly lower in animals infected with the ORF63 mutant virus than in animals inoculated with parental or rescued virus. In contrast, the frequency of animals latently infected with viral mutants in other genes that are equally or more impaired for replication in vitro, compared with the ORF63 mutant, is similar to that of animals latently infected with parental VZV. Examination of dorsal root ganglia 3 days after infection showed high levels of VZV DNA in animals infected with either ORF63 mutant or parental virus; however, by days 6 and 10 after infection, the level of viral DNA in animals infected with the ORF63 mutant was significantly lower than that in animals infected with parental virus. Thus, ORF63 is not required for VZV to enter ganglia but is the first VZV gene shown to be critical for establishment of latency. Since the present vaccine can reactivate and cause shingles, a VZV vaccine based on the ORF63 mutant virus might be safer.

scholarly journals Effect of Time Delay after Necropsy on Analysis of Simian Varicella-Zoster Virus Expression in Latently Infected Ganglia of Rhesus Macaques

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (23) ◽  
pp. 12454-12457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Mahalingam ◽  
Vicki Traina-Dorge ◽  
Mary Wellish ◽  
Eileen Deharo ◽  
Anjani Golive ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Virus Gene ◽  
Virus Gene Expression ◽  
Virus Latency ◽  
Latently Infected ◽  
Virus Expression

ABSTRACT Studies of varicella-zoster virus gene expression during latency require the acquisition of human ganglia at autopsy. Concerns have been raised that the virus might reactivate immediately after death. Because features of varicella-zoster virus latency are similar in primate and human ganglia, we examined virus gene expression in tissues either processed immediately or kept at 4°C for 30 h before necropsy of two monkeys inoculated with simian varicella-zoster virus and euthanized 117 days later. Virus transcription and the detection of open reading frame (ORF) 63 protein in the cytoplasm of neurons were comparable. Thus, a 30-h delay after death did not affect varicella-zoster virus expression in latently infected ganglia.

scholarly journals Molecular Aspects of Varicella-Zoster Virus Latency

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Depledge ◽  
Tomohiko Sadaoka ◽  
Werner J. D. Ouwendijk
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
New Era ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Virus Latency ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Molecular Aspects

Primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection causes varicella (chickenpox) and the establishment of a lifelong latent infection in ganglionic neurons. VZV reactivates in about one-third of infected individuals to cause herpes zoster, often accompanied by neurological complications. The restricted host range of VZV and, until recently, the lack of suitable in vitro models to study VZV latency have seriously hampered molecular studies of viral latency. Nevertheless, recent technological advances facilitated a series of exciting studies that resulted in the discovery of a VZV latency-associated transcript (VLT) and have redefined our understanding of VZV latency and factors that initiate reactivation. Together, these findings pave the way for a new era of research that may finally unravel the precise molecular mechanisms that govern latency. In this review, we will summarize the implications of recent discoveries in the VZV latency field from both a virus and host perspective and provide a roadmap for future studies.

scholarly journals Functions of the ORF9-to-ORF12 Gene Cluster in Varicella-Zoster Virus Replication and in the Pathogenesis of Skin Infection

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 5825-5834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xibing Che ◽  
Mike Reichelt ◽  
Marvin H. Sommer ◽  
Jaya Rajamani ◽  
Leigh Zerboni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Skin Infection ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Human Tonsil ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACT The gene cluster composed of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 9 (ORF9) to ORF12 encodes four putative tegument proteins and is highly conserved in most alphaherpesviruses. In these experiments, the genes within this cluster were deleted from the VZV parent Oka (POKA) individually or in combination, and the consequences for VZV replication were evaluated with cultured cells in vitro and with human skin xenografts in SCID mice in vivo. As has been reported for ORF10, ORF11 and ORF12 were dispensable for VZV replication in melanoma and human embryonic fibroblast cells. In contrast, deletion of ORF9 was incompatible with the recovery of infectious virus. ORF9 localized to the virion tegument and formed complexes with glycoprotein E, which is an essential protein, in VZV-infected cells. Recombinants lacking ORF10 and ORF11 (POKAΔ10/11), ORF11 and ORF12 (POKAΔ11/12), or ORF10, ORF11 and ORF12 (POKAΔ10/11/12) were viable in cultured cells. Their growth kinetics did not differ from those of POKA, and nucleocapsid formation and virion assembly were not disrupted. In addition, these deletion mutants showed no differences compared to POKA in infectivity levels for primary human tonsil T cells. Deletion of ORF12 had no effect on skin infection, whereas replication of POKAΔ11, POKAΔ10/11, and POKAΔ11/12 was severely reduced, and no virus was recovered from skin xenografts inoculated with POKAΔ10/11/12. These results indicate that with the exception of ORF9, the individual genes within the ORF9-to-ORF12 gene cluster are dispensable and can be deleted simultaneously without any apparent effect on VZV replication in vitro but that the ORF10-to-ORF12 cluster is essential for VZV virulence in skin in vivo.

scholarly journals Varicella-Zoster Virus Gene 66 Transcription and Translation in Latently Infected Human Ganglia

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 6660-6665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall J. Cohrs ◽  
Donald H. Gilden ◽  
Paul R. Kinchington ◽  
Esther Grinfeld ◽  
Peter G. E. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Virus Production ◽  
Protein Product ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Virus Gene ◽  
Latently Infected

ABSTRACT Latent infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is characterized by restricted virus gene expression and the absence of virus production. Of the ∼70 predicted VZV genes, only five (genes 4, 21, 29, 62, and 63) have been shown by multiple techniques to be transcribed during latency. IE62, the protein product of VZV gene 62, is the major immediate-early (IE) virus-encoded transactivator of viral gene transcription and plays a pivotal role in transactivating viral genes during lytic infection. The protein kinase (66-pk) encoded by VZV gene 66 phosphorylates IE62, resulting in cytoplasmic accumulation of IE62 that mitigates nuclear IE62-induced gene activation. Analysis of latently infected human trigeminal ganglia for 66-pk expression by reverse transcriptase-dependent nested PCR, including DNA sequence analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry, revealed VZV open reading frame 66 to be a previously unrecognized latently expressed virus gene and suggests that prevention of IE62 import to the nucleus by VZV 66-pk phosphorylation is one possible mechanism by which VZV latency is maintained.

scholarly journals Expression of varicella-zoster virus VLT-ORF63 fusion transcript induces broad viral gene expression during reactivation from neuronal latency

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner J. D. Ouwendijk ◽  
Daniel P. Depledge ◽  
Labchan Rajbhandari ◽  
Tihana Lenac Rovis ◽  
Stipan Jonjic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Fusion Transcript ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Rapid Amplification

SummaryVaricella-zoster virus (VZV) establishes lifelong neuronal latency in most humans world-wide, reactivating in one-third to cause herpes zoster and occasionally chronic pain. How VZV establishes, maintains and reactivates from latency is largely unknown. Latent VZV gene expression is restricted to VZV latency-associated transcript (VLT) and open reading frame 63 (ORF63) in naturally VZV-infected human trigeminal ganglia (TG). Notably, these transcript levels positively correlated suggesting co-regulated transcription during latency. Here, we used direct RNA-sequencing to identify fusion transcripts that combine VLT and ORF63 loci (VLT-ORF63) and are expressed during both lytic and latent VZV infections. Furthermore, real-time PCR, RNA in situ hybridization and 5’ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) all confirmed VLT-ORF63, but not canonical ORF63, expression in human TG. During lytic infection, one of the two major VLT-ORF63 isoforms encodes a novel fusion protein combining VLT and ORF63 proteins (pVLT-ORF63). In vitro, VLT is transcribed in latently VZV-infected human sensory neurons, whereas VLT-ORF63 expression is induced by reactivation stimuli. Moreover, the pVLT-ORF63-encoding VLT-ORF63 isoform induced transcription of lytic VZV genes. Collectively, our findings show that VZV expresses a unique set of VLT-ORF63 transcripts, potentially involved in the transition from latency to lytic VZV infection.

scholarly journals The Immediate-Early 63 Protein of Varicella-Zoster Virus: Analysis of Functional Domains Required for Replication In Vitro and for T-Cell and Skin Tropism in the SCIDhu Model In Vivo

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1181-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Baiker ◽  
Christoph Bagowski ◽  
Hideki Ito ◽  
Marvin Sommer ◽  
Leigh Zerboni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Immediate Early ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster

ABSTRACT The immediate-early 63-kDa (IE63) protein of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a phosphoprotein encoded by open reading frame (ORF) ORF63/ORF70. To identify functional domains, 22 ORF63 mutations were evaluated for effects on IE63 binding to the major VZV transactivator, IE62, and on IE63 phosphorylation and nuclear localization in transient transfections, and after insertion into the viral genome with VZV cosmids. The IE62 binding site was mapped to IE63 amino acids 55 to 67, with R59/L60 being critical residues. Alanine substitutions within the IE63 center region showed that S165, S173, and S185 were phosphorylated by cellular kinases. Four mutations that changed two putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequences altered IE63 distribution to a cytoplasmic/nuclear pattern. Only three of 22 mutations in ORF63 were compatible with recovery of infectious VZV from our cosmids, but infectivity was restored by inserting intact ORF63 into each mutated cosmid. The viable IE63 mutants had a single alanine substitution, altering T171, S181, or S185. These mutants, rOKA/ORF63rev[T171], rOKA/ORF63rev[S181], and rOKA/ORF63rev[S185], produced less infectious virus and had a decreased plaque phenotype in vitro. ORF47 kinase protein and glycoprotein E (gE) synthesis was reduced, indicating that IE63 contributed to optimal expression of early and late gene products. The three IE63 mutants replicated in skin xenografts in the SCIDhu mouse model, but virulence was markedly attenuated. In contrast, infectivity in T-cell xenografts was not altered. Comparative analysis suggested that IE63 resembled the herpes simplex virus type 1 US1.5 protein, which is expressed colinearly with ICP22 (US1). In summary, most mutations of ORF63 made with our VZV cosmid system were lethal for infectivity. The few IE63 changes that were tolerated resulted in VZV mutants with an impaired capacity to replicate in vitro. However, the IE63 mutants were attenuated in skin but not T cells in vivo, indicating that the contribution of the IE63 tegument/regulatory protein to VZV pathogenesis depends upon the differentiated human cell type which is targeted for infection within the intact tissue microenvironment.

scholarly journals Molecular Analysis of Varicella Vaccines and Varicella-Zoster Virus from Vaccine-Related Skin Lesions

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1058-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Thiele ◽  
Aljona Borschewski ◽  
Judit Küchler ◽  
Marc Bieberbach ◽  
Sebastian Voigt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Varicella Vaccine ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Core Set ◽  
Vaccine Type

ABSTRACTTo prevent complications that might follow an infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the live attenuated Oka strain (V-Oka) is administered to children in many developed countries. Three vaccine brands (Varivax from Sanofi Pasteur MSD; Varilrix and Priorix-Tetra, both from Glaxo-Smith-Kline) are licensed in Germany and have been associated with both different degrees of vaccine effectiveness and adverse effects. To identify genetic variants in the vaccines that might contribute to rash-associated syndromes, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles of variants from the three vaccines and rash-associated vaccine-type VZV from German vaccinees were quantitatively compared by PCR-based pyrosequencing (PSQ). The Varivax vaccine contained an estimated 3-fold higher diversity of VZV variants, with 20% more wild-type (wt) SNPs than Varilrix and Priorix-Tetra. These minor VZV variants in the vaccines were identified by analyzing cloned full-length open reading frame (ORF)orf62sequences by chain termination sequencing and PSQ. Some of these sequences amplified from vaccine VZV were very similar or identical to those of the rash-associated vaccine-type VZV from vaccinees and were almost exclusively detected in Varivax. Therefore, minorities of rash-associated VZV variants are present in varicella vaccine formulations, and it can be concluded that the analysis of a core set of four SNPs is required as a minimum for a firm diagnostic differentiation of vaccine-type VZV from wt VZV.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Major Transcriptional Regulatory Protein IE62 by the VZV Open Reading Frame 66 Protein Kinase

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1710-1723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amie J. Eisfeld ◽  
Stephanie E. Turse ◽  
Sara A. Jackson ◽  
Edwina C. Lerner ◽  
Paul R. Kinchington
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Recombinant Baculovirus ◽  
Open Reading Frame ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Transcriptional Regulatory

ABSTRACT IE62, the major transcriptional regulatory protein encoded by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is nuclear at early times of VZV infection but then becomes predominantly cytoplasmic as a result of expression of the protein kinase encoded by open reading frame 66 (ORF66). Cytoplasmic forms of IE62 are required for its inclusion as an abundant VZV virion tegument protein. Here we show that ORF66 directly phosphorylates IE62 at two residues, with phosphorylation at S686 being sufficient to regulate IE62 nuclear import. Phosphotryptic peptide analyses established an ORF66 kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the complete IE62 protein in transfected and VZV-infected cells. Using truncated and point-mutated IE62 peptides, ORF66-directed phosphorylation was mapped to residues S686 and S722, immediately downstream of the IE62 nuclear localization signal. An IE62 protein with an S686A mutation retained efficient nuclear import activity, even in the presence of functional ORF66 protein kinase, but an IE62 protein containing an S686D alteration was imported into the nucleus inefficiently. In contrast, the nuclear import of IE62 carrying an S722A mutation was still modulated by ORF66 expression, and IE62 with an S722D mutation was imported efficiently into the nucleus. An in vitro phosphorylation assay was developed using bacterially expressed IE62-maltose binding protein fusions as substrates for immunopurified ORF66 protein kinase from recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells. ORF66 kinase phosphorylated the IE62 peptides, with similar specificities for residues S686 and S722. These results indicate that IE62 nuclear import is modulated as a result of direct phosphorylation of IE62 by ORF66 kinase. This represents an interaction that is, so far, unique among the alphaherpesviruses.

scholarly journals The DNA Element Controlling Expression of the Varicella-Zoster Virus Open Reading Frame 28 and 29 Genes Consists of Two Divergent Unidirectional Promoters Which Have a Common USF Site

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (20) ◽  
pp. 10939-10952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yang ◽  
John Hay ◽  
William T. Ruyechan
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Tata Element ◽  
Latently Infected ◽  
Functional Dna

ABSTRACT The mechanism of the divergent expression of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ORF 28 and ORF 29 genes from a common intergenic DNA element, the ORF 28/29 promoter, is of interest based on the observation that both genes are expressed during VZV lytic infection but only the ORF 29 gene is expressed in latently infected neurons. In the work presented here, expression driven by the ORF 28/29 intergenic region was examined. We found that the promoter activity towards the ORF 29 direction is more responsive to activation by the major viral transactivator IE62 than that towards the ORF 28 direction in the context of our experimental system. Analysis of the functional DNA elements involved in IE62 activation of the bidirectional ORF 28/29 regulatory element revealed that in both transfected and VZV-superinfected cells it is a fusion of two unidirectional promoters overlapping an essential USF binding site but with distinct TATA elements. A single TATA element directs expression in the ORF 28 direction, whereas the two TATA elements directing ORF 29 gene expression are alternatively and differentially utilized for transcription initiation. We also identified an Sp1 site localized proximal to the ORF 28 gene which functions as an activator element for expression in both directions. These results indicate that the ORF 28 and ORF 29 genes can be expressed either coordinately or independently and that the observed expression of only the ORF 29 gene during VZV latency may involve neuron-specific cellular factors and/or structural aspects of the latent viral genome.

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