Saccharomyces cerevisiae positive regulatory gene PET111 encodes a mitochondrial protein that is translated from an mRNA with a long 5'' leader.

The yeast nuclear gene PET111 is required specifically for translation of the mitochondrion-coded mRNA for cytochrome c oxidase subunit II. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a 3-kilobase segment of DNA that carries PET111. The sequence contains a single long open reading frame that predicts a basic protein of 718 amino acids. The PET111 gene product is a mitochondrial protein, since a hybrid protein which includes the amino-terminal 154 amino acids of PET111 fused to beta-galactosidase is specifically associated with mitochondria. PET111 is translated from a 2.9-kilobase mRNA which, interestingly, has an extended 5'-leader sequence containing four short open reading frames upstream of the long open reading frame. These open reading frames exhibit an interesting pattern of overlap with each other and with the PET111 reading frame.     

Extensive homology between the herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein F gene and the herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein C gene.

The region of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genome which maps colinearly with the HSV-1 glycoprotein C (gC) gene has been cloned, and the DNA sequence of a 2.29-kilobase region has been determined. Contained within this sequence is a major open reading frame of 479 amino acids. The carboxyterminal three-fourths of the derived HSV-2 protein sequence showed a high degree of sequence homology to the HSV-1 gC amino acid sequence reported by Frink et al. (J. Virol. 45:634-647, 1983). The amino-terminal region of the HSV-2 sequence, however, showed very little sequence homology to HSV-1 gC. In addition, the HSV-1 gC sequence contained 27 amino acids in the amino-terminal region which were missing from the HSV-2 protein. Computer-assisted analysis of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the derived HSV-2 sequence demonstrated that the protein contained structures characteristic of membrane-bound glycoproteins, including an amino-terminal signal sequence and carboxy-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane domain and charged cytoplasmic anchor. The HSV-2 protein sequence also contained seven putative N-linked glycosylation sites. These data, in conjunction with mapping studies of Para et al. (J. Virol. 45:1223-1227, 1983) and Zezulak and Spear (J. Virol. 49:741-747, 1984), suggest that the protein sequence derived from the HSV-2 genome corresponds to gF, the HSV-2 homolog of HSV-1 gC.     

Analysis of the Sendai virus M gene and protein.

The nucleotide sequence of the Sendai virus M (matrix or membrane) gene region was determined from cloned genomic DNA, and the limits of the M mRNA were determined by S1 nuclease mapping. The M mRNA is 1,173 nucleotides long and contains a single long open reading frame coding for a protein of 348 amino acids. The amino acid sequences of the N- and C-terminal peptides of the M protein were obtained by mass spectrometric analysis and correspond to those predicted from the open reading frame, with the N terminus modified in vivo by cleavage of the initiating methionine and acetylation of the following amino acid. The amphiphilic nature of the M protein structure is discussed.     

Transcription initiation sites and nucleotide sequence of a herpes simplex virus 1 gene conserved in the Epstein-Barr virus genome and reported to affect the transport of viral glycoproteins

Earlier reports have localized mutations which affect the processing and transport of herpes simplex virus 1 glycoproteins to a region located between the genes specifying glycoprotein B and the major viral DNA-binding protein (beta 8). The nucleotide sequence of this region contains a single long open reading frame encoding a 780-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 83,845. To confirm the existence of this protein, rabbit polyclonal antibody was made against a synthetic peptide made according to the predicted sequence of a hydrophilic domain near the carboxy terminal of the protein. This antibody reacted with an infected cell protein of an apparent molecular weight of 95,500. We designated this protein infected cell protein 18.5 (ICP18.5). S1 nuclease analysis suggested that the 5.6-kilobase mRNA encoding ICP18.5 is initiated predominantly from one site, but three weaker initiation sites also seemed to occur within a 74-base-pair stretch of DNA. This gene appears to be conserved in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome, inasmuch as 174 of the 780 amino acids of ICP18.5 align with corresponding amino acids predicted by the EBV open reading frame BALF3. The EBV gene is located adjacent to the gene specifying a homolog of the herpes simplex virus 1 glycoprotein B.     

Varicella-Zoster Virus Open Reading Frame 48 Encodes an Active Nuclease

Based on a DNA sequence and relative genomic position similar to those other herpesviruses, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 48 (ORF48) is predicted to encode an alkaline nuclease. Here we report the cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant VZV ORF48 protein and a VZV ORF48 point mutation (T172P). Protein encoded by wild-type ORF48, but not mutant protein, displayed both endo- and exonuclease activity, identifying ORF48 as a potential therapeutic target in VZV disease since efficient viral replication requires viral nuclease activity.