Influence of herpes simplex virus 1 latency-associated transcripts on the establishment and maintenance of latency in the ROSA26R reporter mouse model.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) can establish life-long latent infection in sensory neurons, from which periodic reactivation can occur. During latency, viral gene expression is largely restricted to the latency-associated transcripts (LATs). While not essential for any phase of latency, to date the LATs have been shown to increase the efficiency of both establishment and reactivation of latency in small-animal models. We sought to investigate the role of LAT expression in the frequency of latency establishment within the ROSA26R reporter mouse model utilizing Cre recombinase-encoding recombinant viruses harboring deletions of the core LAT promoter (LAP) region. HSV-1 LAT expression was observed to influence the number of latently infected neurons in trigeminal but not dorsal root ganglia.

SUBMITTER: Nicoll MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3421754 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature