Duck enteritis virus UL21 is a late gene encoding a protein that interacts with pUL16

Abstract

Background: pUL21 is a conserved protein of Alphaherpesvirinae that performs multiple important functions. The Cterminus of pUL21 in other members of this subfamily has RNA-binding ability; this domain contributes to pseudorabies virus (PRV) retrograde axonal transport in vitro and in vivo and participates in newly replicated viral DNA packaging and intracellular virus transport. However, knowledge regarding duck enteritis virus (DEV) pUL21 is limited. Results: We verified that DEV UL21 is a γ2 gene that encodes a structural protein. Moreover, we observed that pUL21 localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV pUL21 interacted with pUL16 and formed a complex in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 T cells and DEV-infected duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). These results were further confirmed by CO-IP assays. Conclusions: The DEV UL21 gene is a late gene, and pUL21 localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV UL21 is a virion component. In addition, pUL21 can interact with pUL16. These findings provide insight into the characteristics of UL21 and the interaction between pUL21 and its binding partner pUL16. Our study enhances the understanding of DEV pUL21.

Two nuclear localization signals regulate intracellular localization of the duck enteritis virus UL13 protein

“…The characteristics of some DEV genes from DEV have been reported by our team ( Ma et al., 2018 ; You et al., 2018 ; Yang et al., 2019 , 2020 ; Zhao et al., 2019 ; Zhou et al., 2020 ). However, to date, there have been few reports on the function of the DEV UL13 protein.…”

“…As previously described ( Yang et al, 2020 ), DEV-infected DEF cells in 6-well dishes were collected at 7, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after infection (hpi), removing the supernatant. After several washes with PBST to remove unbound antibodies, the signal was detected using Western blot Chemiluminescence HRP Substrate (Takara, Dalian, China) according to the manufacturer's instructions.…”

UL11 Protein Is a Key Participant of the Duck Plague Virus in Its Life Cycle

“…Because the virus adsorption process is mostly related to the envelope proteins of the viruses, UL11 is a membrane-anchored protein and can interact with the envelope glycoprotein E ( Han et al, 2011 ; Yang et al, 2020 ). The viral adsorption and invasion experiment were conducted to explore whether UL11 is involved in the virus adsorption process and investigate the function of the UL11 protein in the viral life cycle.…”

“…With the above results, the reduced expression of the UL11 could affect the viral replication. The ICP22 ( Fraser and Rice, 2007 ; Li et al, 2020 ), ICP27 ( Tang et al, 2019 ), and ICP4 ( Frasson et al, 2021 ) are immediate early genes, and UL11 ( Yang et al, 2021 ), UL16 ( Oshima et al, 1998 ; He et al, 2012 ), UL21 ( Yang et al, 2020 ), gE ( Po’ka et al, 2017 ) and gB ( Ramachandran et al, 2010 ) are late genes, and the US3 ( Labiuk et al, 2010 ) is an early gene. Nevertheless, how DPV UL11 takes part in the viral replication process, we still do not know.…”

“…Then, the cells were incubated with primary antibodies and Alexa Fluor-conjugated secondary antibodies (at a dilution of 1:1,000) in a blocking buffer for 60 min at room temperature. The samples were examined under a Nikon H550L fluorescence microscope ( Yang et al, 2020 ).…”