在先前研究裡,經由電腦分析結果顯示,馬雷克病毒UL9基因與第一型？疹病毒UL9基因有許多相似之構造單位。所以馬雷克病毒之UL9基因也許擁有與？疹病毒之UL9基因相類似之生化功能,特別是複製起始點結合的功能。 在此計畫中,利用膠體位移實驗法證明馬雷克病毒之UL9基因會與馬雷克病毒之複製起始點結合,而且證實它辨識的鹼基序列為TTCGCACC。另外,一系列具有刪除突變之馬雷克UL9蛋白質已構築完成,將利用來決定DNA-binding的區域。 In previous studies, from the computer analyses, MDV (Marek's disease virus) UL9 shares several structural motifs with HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus type 1) UL9. It is likely that MDV UL9 possesses the biochemical activities similar to those of HSV-1 UL9, especially the origin-binding protein. In this project, using the electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay, we demonstrated that MDV UL9 could bind to the origin of DNA replication and its recognition site was TTCGCACC. We also constructed a series of deletion mutants that can be used in the future to determine the DNA-binding domain of MDV UL9 protein.
