We report the results of cloning,expression,subcellular localization analysis,and molecular properties of the Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） BFRF3 gene,using several bioinformatics tools.Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the encoding protein of EBV BFRF3 gene （designated BFRF3） has a conserved Herpes_capsid domain,which was found to be closely related to the gammaherpesvirus capsid protein family,and is highly conserved among its counterparts.
Mingsheng CaiZhiyao ZhaoWei CuiLin YangJunyi ZhuYalan ChenChangling MaZhuqing YuanMeili Li
In the present study, we examined the codon usage bias between pseudorabies virus （PRV） US1 gene and the USl-like genes of 20 reference alphaherpesviruses. Comparative analysis showed noticeable disparities of the synonymous codon usage bias in the 21 alphaherpesviruses, indicated by codon adaptation index, effective number of codons （ENc） and GC3s value. The codon usage pattern of PRV US1 gene was phylogenetically conserved and similar to that of the USl-like genes of the genus Varicellovirus of alphaherpesvirus, with a strong bias towards the codons with C and G at the third codon position. Cluster analysis of codon usage pattern of PRV US1 gene with its reference alphaherpesviruses demonstrated that the codon usage bias of USl-like genes of 21 alphaherpesviruses had a very close relation with their gene functions. ENc-plot revealed that the genetic heterogeneity in PRV US1 gene and the 20 reference alphaherpesviruses was constrained by G＋C content, as well as the gene length. In addition, comparison of codon preferences in the US1 gene of PRV with those ofE. coli, yeast and human revealed that there were 50 codons showing distinct usage differences between PRV and yeast, 49 between PRV and human, but 48 between PRV and E. coil Although there were slightly fewer differences in codon usages between E.coli and PRV, the difference is unlikely to be statistically significant, and experimental studies are necessary to establish the most suitable expression system for PRV US1. In conclusion, these results may improve our understanding of the evolution, pathogenesis and functional studies of PRV, as well as contributing to the area of herpesvirus research or even studies with other viruses.
Meili LiZhiyao ZhaoJianhong ChenBingyun WangZi LiJian LiMingsheng Cai
