Conditional and reversible disruption of essential herpesvirus proteins

Nat Methods. 2009 Aug;6(8):577-9. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.1346. Epub 2009 Jul 5.

Abstract

Elucidating the function of essential proteins of complex pathogenic viruses is impeded by a paucity of complementing systems. By fusing a destabilizing domain of the FK506-binding protein to essential cytomegalovirus proteins, we generated virus mutants in which amounts of fusion proteins and viral growth can be regulated by the synthetic ligand shield-1. This conditional approach will greatly facilitate the analysis of gene functions of herpesviruses and viruses of other families.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Genes, Essential*
  • Genes, Viral*
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Genome, Viral
  • Herpesviridae / drug effects
  • Herpesviridae / genetics*
  • Herpesviridae / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Mutation
  • Protein Stability
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / genetics*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Morpholines
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Shield-1 compound
  • Viral Proteins