Abstract
Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is a gammaherpesvirus with no clear disease association, it establishes persistent infections in its natural host, the bovine, and in an experimental host, the rabbit. BoHV-4 immediate early 2 (IE2) RNA is the less abundant, spliced, 1.8 kb RNA. The predicted amino acid sequence, of the IE2 protein, reveals that it could encode a 61 kDa protein with amino acid sequence homology to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transactivator R protein and its homologues including, herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2), murine herpesvirus 68 and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We examined recently the interaction of BoHV-4 with a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, RD-4, and found that although some infectious viruses can be produced, no cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed [J. Gen. Virol. 81 (2000) 1807]. Because IE2 could play a critical role in BoHV-4 productive infection and its overexpression in RD-4 cells could switch the non-permissive RD-4 status to a permissive one. RD-4 cells expressing stably BoHV-4 IE2 gene were generated. BoHV-4 IE2 induced an increased production of infectious viral particles sufficient to obtain an apparent cytopathic effect. It is concluded that BoHV-4 IE2 is a key factor in determining the outcome of BoHV-4 infection.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
