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The Varicella-Zoster Virus Genome

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Varicella-zoster Virus

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 342))

Abstract

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genome contains at least 70 genes, and all but six have homologs in herpes simplex virus (HSV). Cosmids and BACs corresponding to the VZV parental Oka and vaccine Oka viruses have been used to “knockout” 34 VZV genes. Seven VZV genes (ORF4, 5, 9, 21, 29, 62, and 68) have been shown to be required for growth in vitro. Recombinant viruses expressing several markers (e.g., beta-galactosidase, green fluorescence protein, luciferase) and several foreign viral genes (from herpes simplex, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis B, mumps, HIV, and simian immunodeficiency virus) have been constructed. Further studies of the VZV genome, using recombinant viruses, may facilitate the development of safer and more effective VZV vaccines. Furthermore, VZV might be useful as a vaccine vector to immunize against both VZV and other viruses.

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Abbreviations

HSV:

Herpes simplex virus

IE:

Immediate-early

IRL:

Internal repeat long

IRS:

Internal repeat short

TRL:

Terminal repeat long

TRS:

Terminal repeat short

UL:

Unique long

US:

Unique short

VZV:

Varicella-zoster virus

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Acknowledgments

I thank the intramural research program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Room 11N234, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Jeffrey I. Cohen

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  1. Jeffrey I. Cohen
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Correspondence to Jeffrey I. Cohen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases and Im, Head, VZV Research Laboratory, University of Sydney, Room 601 Blackburn Building D06, Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia

    Allison Abendroth

  2. School of Medicine, Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Pasteur Drive 300, Stanford, 94305-5124, California, USA

    Ann M. Arvin

  3. 2215 Weiskotten Hall, Upstate Medical University, East Adams Street 750, Syracuse, 13210, New York, USA

    Jennifer F. Moffat

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Cohen, J.I. (2010). The Varicella-Zoster Virus Genome. In: Abendroth, A., Arvin, A., Moffat, J. (eds) Varicella-zoster Virus. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 342. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2010_10

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