Genetic characterization of the unique short segment of phocid herpesvirus 1 reveals close relationships among alphaherpesvirusses of host of the order carnivora

To further characterize phocid herpesvirus type 1 (PhHV-1) at the molecular level, a cluster of genes comprising the complete unique short (Us) region of PhHV-1 has been cloned and sequenced. Within this region, ORFs were detected that code for the equivalent of the Us 2- protein of herpes simplex virus (HSV), a putative protein kinase, and for the glycoprotein equivalents gG, gD, gI and gE. In addition, two small ORFs downstream of gE, homologous to the Us 8·5 and Us 9 proteins of HSV were identified. Comparative analysis of the ORF encoding the gD equivalent of PhHV-1 identified the corresponding proteins of the alphaherpesviruses canine herpesvirus and, to lesser degree, feline herpesvirus as the closest relatives.

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