DNA sequence of the simian varicella virus (SVV) gH gene and analysis of the SVV and varicella zoster virus gH transcripts.

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein H (gH) stimulates VZV-specific immune responses and may be involved in virus penetration. This study reports the genomic map position and the DNA sequence of a simian varicella virus (SVV) homologue of the VZV gH gene. A 32P-labeled VZV gH-specific DNA probe hybridized to the HindIII B subclone of the SVV BamHI B restriction endonuclease (RE) fragment. The DNA sequence of the SVV HindIII B subclone was determined and analysis indicated a SVV open reading frame (ORF) homologous to several herpesvirus gH genes. The SVV gH ORF is 2559 base pairs in size and encodes a 852-amino acid protein. The SVV gH contains characteristics of a transmembrane glycoprotein including: 9 consensus N-linked glycosylation sites, a potential amino terminal signal sequence, and a predicted transmembrane segment located near the carboxyl terminus. The SVV and VZV gH genes exhibit 60.0% identity and the predicted polypeptides exhibit 54.5% identity. The SVV and VZV gH transcripts were analyzed and the promoter regions were compared. 32P-labeled SVV and VZV gH-specific DNA probes each hybridized to a single 2.9 kilobase transcript. The mRNA start sites of the SVV and VZV gH genes were determined by primer extension analysis, and alignment of the promoter regions indicated similar content and arrangement. The extensive conservation of SVV and VZV genes and predicted polypeptides further supports the use of SVV infection of non-human primates as a model of VZV infection of humans.