An HCMV reading frame which has similarity with both the V and C regions of the TCRγ chain

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the herpes virus family and is characterized by widespread infection, latency, persistence and reactivation and is a serious pathogen particularly of immunosuppressed patients. Previously HCMV was shown to encode a glycoprotein homologous to the MHC class I antigens. We report here that HCMV may encode another glycoprotein similar to another sub-group of the Ig superfamily. This putative glycoprotein gene shows similarity to both the constant and variable regions of the human T cell receptor gamma chain (TCRγ). The level of homology is low but may be of interest as the predicted gene might have some role in virus infection or immune evasion.

Key Words:

• human cytomegalovirus
• DNA sequence
• membrane glycoprotein
• T-cell receptor