Study of a possible replication origin function of map units 88--100 of Parvovirus LuIII in HeLa cells.

摘要

Studies to elucidate the mechanism of parvoviral replication are ongoing due to their potential as transient vectors for human gene therapy. Parvovirus LuIII, a single stranded DNA virus, has short double-stranded hairpin structures at the 3'and 5' ends which serve as primers for replication. A replication origin at the left terminus has been characterized, yet a replication origin at the right terminus has not been identified. Homology of an A/T rich region at the 5' terminus of LuIII with the autonomously replicating sequences of yeast, suggests a replication origin function. To determine if the A/T sequence could function as an origin of replication in higher eukaryotic cells, a plasmid lacking an origin of replication and containing the reporter gene DsRed2 and the A/T sequence was constructed and transfected into HeLa cells. The results revealed a replication origin function for the LuIII A/T sequence.