Analysis of the thymidine kinase genes of macropodid herpesviruses 1 and 2

Abstract

The nucleotide sequences of the entire protein coding regions of the thymidine kinase (TK) genes of macropodid herpesvirus type 1 (MaHV-1) and type 2 (MaHV-2) were determined. The coding region of the MaHV-1 TK gene was 984 bp long and was predicted to encode a polypeptide of 327 amino acids. The coding region of the MaHV-2 TK gene was 1020 bp long and encoded a polypeptide of 340 amino acids. Comparisons of their deduced amino acid sequences with those of fifteen other herpesviruses revealed close homology to those of other alphaherpesviruses, particularly to human herpesvirus type 1 (HHV-1) and type 2 (HHV-2).

Alphaherpesvirus‐associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)

“…In order to determine the relationship of this herpesvirus to MaHV‐1 and ‐2, additional PCR assays were used to interrogate the sample extracts. These assays were based on previously reported sequences for the UL23 and UL27 genes, which encode the proteins thymidine kinase (TK) and glycoprotein B (gB) of MaHV‐1 and ‐2, respectively . The UL27 PCR was designed to detect both MaHV‐1 and ‐2, whereas the UL23 PCR was designed to differentiate between these viruses.…”

Identification and isolation of a novel herpesvirus in a captive mob of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)

“…The other marsupial herpesviruses, MaHV-1 and MaHV-2, are members of the genus Simplexvirus in the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae (Davison et al, 2005). They are closely related to Eutherian viruses in the genus Simplexvirus, and appear to be an example of host switching rather than coevolution Lee and Smith, 1999). Alphaherpesvirinae are often capable of infecting a wider range of host cells than beta-and gammaherpesviruses (Davison et al, 2005), and this may make a host switch more feasible.…”