Characterization of the transcripts of human cytomegalovirus UL144.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The genome of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been studied extensively, particularly in the UL/b' region. In this study, transcripts of one of the UL/b' genes, UL144, were identified in 3 HCMV isolates obtained from urine samples of congenitally infected infants.

Methods

Northern blot hybridization, cDNA library screening, and RACE-PCR were used.

Results

We identified at least 4 differentially regulated 3'-coterminal transcripts of UL144 in infected cells of 1,300, 1,600, 1,700, and 3,500 nucleotides (nt). The 1600 nt transcript was the major form of UL144 mRNA. The largest transcript initiated from the region within the UL141 open reading frame (ORF) and included UL141, UL142, UL143, UL144, and UL145 ORFs.

Conclusions

These findings reveal the comp

SUBMITTER: He R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3141681 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature