Functional homologies between avian and human alphaherpesvirus VP22 proteins in cell-to-cell spreading as revealed by a new cis-complementation assay

J Virol. 2008 Sep;82(18):9278-82. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00598-08. Epub 2008 Jul 16.

Abstract

VP22, encoded by the UL49 gene of Marek's disease virus (MDV), is indispensable for virus cell-to-cell spreading. We show herein that MDV UL49 can be functionally replaced with avian and human viral orthologs. Replacement of MDV VP22 with that of avian gallid herpesvirus 3 or herpesvirus of turkey, whose residue identity with MDV is close to 60%, resulted in 73 and 131% changes in viral spreading, respectively. In contrast, VP22 replacement with human herpes simplex virus type 1 resulted in 14% plaque formation. Therefore, heterologous avian and human VP22 proteins share sufficient structural homology to support MDV cell-to-cell spreading, albeit with different efficiencies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alphaherpesvirinae / classification*
  • Alphaherpesvirinae / genetics
  • Alphaherpesvirinae / metabolism
  • Alphaherpesvirinae / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Birds / virology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / physiology*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Gallid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 3, Gallid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mardivirus / genetics
  • Mardivirus / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid*
  • Skin / cytology
  • Viral Proteins* / genetics
  • Viral Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • UL49 protein, Marek's disease virus type 1
  • Viral Proteins