Cloning of rhadinovirus genome and methods for its use

摘要

An isolated virus is provided (Japanese Macaque Herpesvirus, JMHV), as deposited with ATCC as deposit accession number PTA-1884, as are viral particles including this virus and host cells infected with this virus. A purified polypeptide is also provided that includes an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence as set forth as SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, and SEQ ID NO:27, as are nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides. A method is provided for testing the efficacy of a drug in the treatment of a condition associated with infection with JMHV. A model for multiple sclerosis is provided, as is a method for testing the efficacy of a candidate vaccine against JMHV infection, or conditions associated with JMHV infection. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for detecting the presence of JMHV or a related virus in a biological specimen, by amplifying by polymerase chain reaction a JMHV nucleic acid sequence, or by using hybridization technology, if such sequence is present in the sample. A method is also provided for detecting the presence of JMHV in a biological specimen. Kits are provided including an antibody that binds to a JMHV polypeptide or an oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a JMHV nucleic acid sequence.