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Varicella-zoster Virus pp 291–308Cite as

Simian Varicella Virus: Molecular Virology

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

Abstract

Simian varicella virus (SVV) is a primate herpesvirus that is closely related to varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the causative agent of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Epizootics of simian varicella occur sporadically in facilities housing Old World monkeys. This review summarizes the molecular properties of SVV. The SVV and VZV genomes are similar in size, structure, and gene arrangement. The 124.5 kilobase pair (kbp) SVV genome includes a 104.7 kbp long component covalently linked to a short component, which includes a 4.9 kbp unique short segment flanked by 7.5 kbp inverted repeat sequences. SVV DNA encodes 69 distinct open reading frames, three of which are duplicated within the viral inverted repeats. The viral genome is coordinately expressed, and immediate early (IE), early, and late genes have been characterized. Genetic approaches have been developed to create SVV mutants, which will be used to study the role of SVV genes in viral pathogenesis, latency, and reactivation. In addition, SVV expressing foreign genes are being investigated as potential recombinant varicella vaccines.

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Acknowledgements

Research conducted by the author was supported by Public Health Service Grant RO1 AI052373 of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA

    Wayne L. Gray

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  1. Wayne L. Gray
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Correspondence to Wayne L. Gray .

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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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Gray, W.L. (2010). Simian Varicella Virus: Molecular Virology. 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_27

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