Gamma herpesvirus DNA polymerase associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and post-peritoneal fibrosis

摘要

The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding the DNA polymerase of group 3 of the subfamily of gamma herpesvirus. Group 2 was obtained from post-peritoneal fibrosarcoma macaque monkeys and Group 1 was obtained from human AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. The 454 base pair fragment encoding the region near the active site of this DNA polymerase was 69-83% identical in the three viral species but 54-68% identical to the other known gamma-herpes sequences, and the alpha and beta- 55%. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding DNA polymerases derived from the relevant viral in the RFHV / KSHV subfamily. These polynucleotides can be prepared according to sequence data and used as reagents for detecting and characterizing related sequences. These reagents can be used to detect groups of RFHV / KSHV subfamilies, including, but not limited to, RFHV, RFHV2, and KSHV. Corresponding polypeptides and peptide fragments can be obtained by expressing the polynucleotide or by chemical synthesis. The polypeptide thus obtained can be used to detect a specific antibody that is highly likely to be present in the sera in the infected specimen. It may also be used to design or screen pharmaceutical compounds that inhibit DNA polymerase activity to limit viral replication.