A Cluster of Latently Expressed Genes in Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

摘要: Infection with Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is closely associated sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma, viral genomes present in a latent state the majority of tumor cells. Here we describe cluster latently expressed genes whose mRNAs are generated from common promoter. Two this region encode latency-associated nuclear antigen, product open reading frame 73 (ORF73). The larger RNA, 5.8 kb, an unspliced transcript that includes ORF72 -71 at its 3′ end; it initiates nucleotides (nt) 127880 to 127886 promoter lacking recognizable TATA elements. A less abundant mRNA, 5.4 variant transcript, which 336 nt 5′ noncoding information has been removed by RNA splicing. third, more same via splicing splice donor 127813 acceptor ORF72; presumed mRNA for ORF72, encodes cyclin D homolog. All three RNAs coterminal. In situ hybridization analysis probes can detect all transcripts shows detectable large fraction BCBL-1 cells prior lytic induction >70% KS spindle tumors. This confirms these indeed suggests role their products persistence and/or KSHV-associated proliferation.