Primary structure of the Herpesvirus ateles genome

Abstract

Herpesvirus ateles is an agent indigenous to spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) and causes fulminant lymphomas in various New World primates. Structural and genetic relatedness led to the classification of this virus as a member of the genus Rhadinovirus. It is most closely related to Herpesvirus saimiri. The 108,409-bp light DNA segment of the herpesvirus ateles strain 73 genome has two genes for U-RNA-like transcripts and 73 open reading frames, of which at least 6 show significant homologies to cellular genes (encoding complement control proteins, apoptosis-regulatory proteins, D-type cyclins, interleukin-8 receptors, and enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism). The left terminal region of the light DNA segment bears the putative rhadinovirus oncogene tio.

FIG. 1

Circular representation of the AtHV-3 genome. H-DNA sequences were added to L-DNA to give a total genome size of approximately 150 kbp as estimated by earlier studies. ORFs are shown as directed boxes around circular restriction maps, and cellular homologs are shaded dark gray. Areas significantly different from the SaHV-2 genome are depicted as light-gray-shaded areas I to V. The scale is 5 kbp/unit, with a diamond sign located every 20 kbp. ORF numbers are given for orientation and reference to Table 1. Abbreviations: HAUR, herpesvirus ateles U-like RNA; CCPH, complement control protein homolog; gB, glycoprotein B; pol, DNA polymerase; ie14/vsag, viral superantigen; TK, thymidine kinase; gH, glycoprotein H; MCP, major capsid protein; gL, glycoprotein L; RR, ribonucleotide reductase (l, large subunit; s, small subunit); cyclin, viral D-type cyclin; vIL-8R, viral IL-8 receptor; FGARAT, formylglycineamide ribotide amidotransferase.