ARS | Publication request: Studies on Marek's Disease Virus Encoded Ribonucleotide Reductase

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2010
Publication Date: August 1, 2010
Citation: Lee, L.F., Silva, R.F., Heidari, M., Reddy, S. 2010. Studies on Marek's Disease Virus Encoded Ribonucleotide Reductase. American Association of Avian Pathologists Symposium and Scientific Program, August 1-4, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia. Paper No. 9410-2.

Technical Abstract: Ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is an essential enzyme for the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The enzyme consists of two subunits namely RR1 and RR2, both of which associate to form an active holoenzyme. Herpesviruses express a functional RR required for viral pathogenesis and reactivation from latency in infected host. In pseudorabies virus, mutants deficient in RR were shown to be avirulent for pigs and capable for protecting pigs against disease. Marek's disease virus (MDV) also encodes a RR enzyme, which has 21 discrete blocks of amino acid homologous to other herpes viruses. These homologous blocks of amino acids are important sites for the enzyme activity. The MDV RR is abundantly expressed in cell culture and lymphoid organs of the infected chickens. The abundant expression of RR in infected chickens may indicate an important role in the pathogenesis of Marek's disease.