HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marks, H. Articles by van Hulten, M. C. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marks, H. Articles by van Hulten, M. C. W. Agricola Articles by Marks, H. Articles by van Hulten, M. C. W.

Transcriptional analysis of the white spot syndrome virus major virion protein genes

Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Binnenhaven 11, 6709 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands

Correspondence
Just Vlak
just.vlak{at}wur.nl

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a member of a new virus family (Nimaviridae) infecting crustaceans. The regulation of transcription of WSSV genes is largely unknown. Transcription of the major WSSV structural virion protein genes, vp28, vp26, vp24, vp19 and vp15, was studied to search for common promoter motifs for coordinate expression. The temporal expression of these genes and both 5' and 3' ends of the mRNA were determined, using infected crayfish gill tissue as a RNA source. RT-PCR showed that all five genes are expressed late in infection compared to the early ribonucleotide reductase large subunit gene. 5' RACE studies revealed a consensus late transcription initiation motif for only two of the five major virion protein genes. This motif was only found in one other upstream region of the putative translational start site of a gene with unknown function (ORF 158). No other conserved sequence motifs could be detected in the sequences surrounding the transcriptional start sites of the five major virion protein genes. All 5' ends were located about 25 nt downstream of an A/T rich sequence, including the consensus TATA-box sequence for vp15. The absence of a consensus motif is distinct from gene regulation of other large dsDNA viruses and suggests a unique regulation of WSSV transcription, in line with its unique taxonomic position.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Marks, O. Vorst, A. M. M. L. van Houwelingen, M. C. W. van Hulten, and J. M. Vlak Gene-expression profiling of White spot syndrome virus in vivo J. Gen. Virol., July 1, 2005; 86(7): 2081 - 2100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-H. Leu, J.-M. Tsai, H.-C. Wang, A. H.-J. Wang, C.-H. Wang, G.-H. Kou, and C.-F. Lo The Unique Stacked Rings in the Nucleocapsid of the White Spot Syndrome Virus Virion Are Formed by the Major Structural Protein VP664, the Largest Viral Structural Protein Ever Found J. Virol., January 1, 2005; 79(1): 140 - 149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-M. Tsai, H.-C. Wang, J.-H. Leu, H.-H. Hsiao, A. H.-J. Wang, G.-H. Kou, and C.-F. Lo Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Thirty-Nine Structural Proteins of Shrimp White Spot Syndrome Virus J. Virol., October 15, 2004; 78(20): 11360 - 11370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Witteveldt, C. C. Cifuentes, J. M. Vlak, and M. C. W. van Hulten Protection of Penaeus monodon against White Spot Syndrome Virus by Oral Vaccination J. Virol., February 15, 2004; 78(4): 2057 - 2061. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]