VZV ORF9
Description
Product Specs
Varicella was purified by proprietary chromatographic technique.
Product Science Overview
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and is the causative agent of varicella (chickenpox) during primary infection and herpes zoster (shingles) upon reactivation from latency. The VZV genome is approximately 125 kilobases in size and encodes at least 71 open reading frames (ORFs). Among these, ORF9 has garnered significant attention due to its critical role in the virus’s life cycle and pathogenesis.
The ORF9 gene is part of a highly conserved gene cluster in alphaherpesviruses, spanning from ORF9 to ORF12. This cluster encodes four putative tegument proteins, which are structural components of the virus particle. The ORF9 protein is a member of the herpesvirus UL49 gene family but shares limited identity and similarity with the UL49 prototype, herpes simplex virus type 1 VP22 .
ORF9 is essential for VZV replication and virion assembly. It localizes to the virion tegument and forms complexes with glycoprotein E, an essential protein in VZV-infected cells . The ORF9 protein interacts with the major VZV transactivator IE62, suggesting a role in the regulation of viral gene expression and assembly of viral particles . Deletion of ORF9 is incompatible with the recovery of infectious virus, highlighting its indispensable role in the VZV life cycle .
Recombinant ORF9 refers to the ORF9 protein produced through recombinant DNA technology. This involves cloning the ORF9 gene into an expression vector, introducing it into a host cell, and inducing the expression of the ORF9 protein. Recombinant ORF9 is used in various research applications to study its function, interactions, and potential as a target for antiviral therapies.
Studies have shown that ORF9 is the most abundantly expressed message during VZV infection . Research involving recombinant ORF9 has provided insights into its interactions with other viral proteins, such as IE62, and its role in the formation of complexes with tubulin in infected cells . These findings are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of VZV replication and pathogenesis, and for developing targeted antiviral strategies.
