Analysis of Codon Usage Pattern in the DNA Polymerase Gene of Porcine Cytomegalovirus

Abstract

The analysis of the codon usage pattern of Porcine Cytomegalovirus (PCMV) DPOL gene has both theoretical and practical value in understanding the basics of molecular biology and selecting appropriate expression systems to improve the expression level. In this study, the codon usage pattern of PCMV DPOL gene and other 36 reference herperviruses were analyzed, the results showed that the codon of PCMV DPOL gene was strong bias toward the synonymous codons with G or C at the third codon position, and was closer relatively to these viruses which were classified in Betaherpesvirinae. Correlation analysis indicated that there was no obvious correlation between PCMV DPOL gene and it’s host swine, and 13 codons showed distinct usage preference between PCMV DPOL gene and H.sapiens, whereas 16 in the E.coli and 27 in the yeast. Thus the mammal expression system may be more appropriate for the expression of PCMV DPOL gene.