Dataset Information

Human cytomegalovirus persistence.

ABSTRACT: Viral persistence is the rule following infection with all herpesviruses. The ?-herpesvirus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), persists through chronic and latent states of infection. Both of these states of infection contribute to HCMV persistence and to the high HCMV seroprevalence worldwide. The chronic infection is poorly defined molecularly, but clinically manifests as low-level virus shedding over extended periods of time and often in the absence of symptoms. Latency requires long-term maintenance of viral genomes in a reversibly quiescent state in the immunocompetent host. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the biology of HCMV persistence, particularly with respect to the latent mode of persistence. Latently infected individuals harbour HCMV genomes in haematopoietic cells and maintain large subsets of HCMV-specific T-cells. In the last few years, impressive advances have been made in understanding virus-host interactions important to HCMV infection, many of which will profoundly impact HCMV persistence. We discuss these advances and their known or potential impact on viral latency. As herpesviruses are met with similar challenges in achieving latency and often employ conserved strategies to persist, we discuss current and future directions of HCMV persistence in the context of the greater body of knowledge regarding ?- and ?-herpesviruses persistence.

SUBMITTER: Goodrum F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3330195 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Human cytomegalovirus persistence.

Goodrum Felicia F Caviness Katie K Zagallo Patricia P

Cellular microbiology 20120308 5

Viral persistence is the rule following infection with all herpesviruses. The β-herpesvirus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), persists through chronic and latent states of infection. Both of these states of infection contribute to HCMV persistence and to the high HCMV seroprevalence worldwide. The chronic infection is poorly defined molecularly, but clinically manifests as low-level virus shedding over extended periods of time and often in the absence of symptoms. Latency requires long-term mainten ...[more]

PMID: 22329758

Similar Datasets

Project description:The mechanisms of action and regulation of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) lytic-phase DNA replicator, oriLyt, which spans more than 2 kbp in a structurally complex region near the middle of the unique long region (UL), are not understood. Because oriLyt is thought to be essential for promoting initiation of lytic DNA synthesis and may participate in regulating the switch between lytic and latent phases, we undertook a mutational study to better define its sequence requirements. Kanr gene cassette insertions located an oriLyt core region between nucleotides (nt) 91751 and 93299 that is necessary but not sufficient for replicator activity in transient assays. In contrast, insertions into auxiliary regions flanking either side of this core-also required for significant replicator activity-had little effect. To search for essential components within the core region, we made a series of overlapping, roughly 200-bp deletions, and qualitatively and quantitatively assessed the abilities of the resulting constructs to mediate replication. All but one of these deletions produced a significant (i.e., greater than twofold) loss of activity, arguing that sequences across this entire region contribute to replicator function. However, two particularly critical segments separated by a dispensable region, here called essential regions I and II, were identified. Within essential region I, which overlaps the previously identified early transcript SRT, two adjacent but nonoverlapping, roughly 200-bp deletions abolished detectable replication. No single element or motif from the left half of essential region I was found to be essential. Thus, essential region I probably promotes replication through the cooperation of multiple elements. However, four small deletions in the right half of essential region I, which included or lay adjacent to the conserved 31-nt oligopyrimidine tract (referred to as the Y block), abolished or virtually abolished oriLyt activity. Together, these results identify candidate oriLyt sequences within which molecular interactions essential for initiation of oriLyt-mediated DNA synthesis are likely to occur.

Dataset Information

Human cytomegalovirus persistence.

Publications

Human cytomegalovirus persistence.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets