Characterization of the transcripts of human cytomegalovirus UL144

Abstract

BackgroundThe genome of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been studied extensively, particularly in the UL/b' region. In this study, transcripts of one of the UL/b' genes, UL144, were identified in 3 HCMV isolates obtained from urine samples of congenitally infected infants.MethodsNorthern blot hybridization, cDNA library screening, and RACE-PCR were used.ResultsWe identified at least 4 differentially regulated 3'-coterminal transcripts of UL144 in infected cells of 1,300, 1,600, 1,700, and 3,500 nucleotides (nt). The 1600 nt transcript was the major form of UL144 mRNA. The largest transcript initiated from the region within the UL141 open reading frame (ORF) and included UL141, UL142, UL143, UL144, and UL145 ORFs.ConclusionsThese findings reveal the complex nature of the transcription of the UL144 gene in clinical isolates.

Transcriptional features and transcript structure of UL145 in different strains of human cytomegalovirus

“…Qi et al [2011] have identified the transcripts of the UL138-UL145 region as two large families of polycistronic transcripts, with the UL145 gene representing one component of the second family. He et al [2011] have confirmed that UL144 and UL145 are expressed as a polycistron. In the current study, two abundant clusters of UL145 transcripts in H, C, and X clinical isolates were detected by Northern blot in late kinetics.…”

“…Although the bands were smeared in a narrow area, the size of the transcripts was similar in the three strains isolated from patients. The cluster of transcripts between 1,400 and 1,600 nt in the Northern blot should represent transcripts from the polycistron of UL144 and UL145 identified by He et al [2011]. However, one monocistron only containing the sequence of the UL145 ORF was confirmed in the present study by several evidences, including the results of cDNA library screening, Northern blot and RACE.…”

“…The above results indicated that in addition to the polycistron identified by He et al [2011], one monocistron containing only the sequence of UL145 ORF also existed, which could originate from multiple 5 0 ends. To obtain the full-length transcript, the sequences obtained from 5 Wang et al…”

“…Partial products within 1,000-2,000 bp were sequenced and showed that they were unspliced sequences containing the sequences of UL144 and UL145 ORFs. Multiple 5 0 ends were found including that of the 1,459 bp cDNA obtained from the cDNA library screening reported by He et al [2011].…”

Trojan Horses and Fake Immunity Idols: Molecular Mimicry of Host Immune Mediators by Human Cytomegalovirus

“…UL144 is expressed early in HCMV infection with protein detected four hours post-infection . Transcription from the UL144 gene is complex, with at least four differentially regulated transcripts expressed (He et al, 2011). One of these transcripts encompasses UL142 through UL145, and all transcripts contain both UL144 and UL145.…”