Splicing-independent expression of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene is mediated by three cis-acting RNA subelements.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex virus genes are predominantly intronless. We identified cis-acting elements in the intronless herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene that facilitate intron-independent gene expression. TK sequences functionally replaced the hepatitis B virus (HBV) posttranscriptional regulatory element (PRE) by inducing the expression of the intronless HBV surface message. TK also activated the pDM138 assay by inducing the cytoplasmic accumulation of intron-containing RNA. Multiple cis-acting RNA sequences, or subelements, that induce cytoplasmic localization of unspliced RNA were mapped within the TK gene. The presence of multiple RNA subelements within the TK gene is reminiscent of the multiple subelements in the HBV PRE required for the cytoplasmic accumulation of intronle

SUBMITTER: Otero GC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC110501 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature