Human Cytomegalovirus UL34 Binds to Multiple Sites within the Viral Genome

The human cytomegalovirus UL34 gene encodes a sequence-specific DNA binding protein that downregulates expression of the viral immune evasion gene US3. Analysis of the viral genome identified 14 potential UL34 binding sites. Using mobility shift experiments, UL34 bound to all predicted sites that were assayed (7 of 14). Furthermore, the UL34 binding site present within the regulatory region of the US9 gene downregulates expression in a manner similar to that seen for the US3 gene.     

Transient dominant selection of recombinant vaccinia viruses.

A general method for constructing and selecting recombinant vaccinia viruses with insertions, deletions, or mutations in any gene that is similar in principle to one originally devised for Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. Scherer and R. W. Davis, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76:4951-4955, 1979) is described. The selectable marker used, Escherichia coli guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, is not retained within the final recombinant virus, and hence, this procedure may be used serially to introduce several foreign genes or to make multiple site-directed mutations.     

Precise quantitation of human parvovirus B19 DNA in biological samples by PCR.

An application of a quantitative PCR-based method was developed for the detection of human parvovirus B19 DNA. The procedure was characterised according to guidelines for the validation of analytical procedures. Furthermore, the reliability was demonstrated by the correct quantitation of samples of an international collaborative study. This application might be useful for studies focussed on removal and/or inactivation procedures of human parvovirus B19 as well as for general screening purposes of biological materials.