Molecular mechanism of the alternative expression of the Chlorella virus CVK2 chitosanase gene.

Abstract

A novel viral strategy for expression of two mRNAs from a single gene yielding two products with seemingly different functions (alternative gene expression) has be found. The vChta-1 gene of Chlorella virus CVK2 produced two functional chitosanase proteins with apparently different roles in viral infection: The larger 65-kDa chitosanase assembled into virion and presumably function at the beginning of infection, while the smaller 37-kDa enzyme remains in the host cytoplasm where it most likely aids in the digestion of the host cell wall prior to viral release. These predicted activities are essential for a cycle of viral infection. The dual expression of the vChta-1 gene most likely occurred by read-through into a downstream gene, ORF245.

• Authors: S Hiramatsu, S Ishihara, M Fujie, T Yamada
• Journal: Nucleic acids symposium series (Nucleic Acids Symp Ser) Issue 37 Pg. 141-2 ( 1997) ISSN: 0261-3166 [Print] England
• PMID: 9586039 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• Viral Structural Proteins
• Glycoside Hydrolases
• chitosanase

Topics

• Chlorella (virology)
• Cloning, Molecular
• Genes, Viral
• Glycoside Hydrolases (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Molecular Weight
• Phycodnaviridae (enzymology, genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (biosynthesis)
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Transcription, Genetic
• Viral Structural Proteins (genetics)
• Virion (enzymology, genetics)