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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262513
Title: Identification of the core sequence elements in Penaeus stylirostris densovirus promoters

Author
item DHAR, ARUN - Viracine Therapeutics Corporation
item KAIZER, KRISTA - Viracine Therapeutics Corporation
item BETZ, YELENA - Viracine Therapeutics Corporation
item HARVEY, THOMAS - Viracine Therapeutics Corporation
item Lakshman, Dilip

Submitted to: Virus Genes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/25/2011
Publication Date: 7/30/2011
Citation: Dhar, A., Kaizer, K., Betz, Y., Harvey, T., Lakshman, D.K. 2011. Identification of the core sequence elements in Penaeus stylirostris densovirus promoters. Virus Genes. 43:367-375.

Interpretive Summary: Promoters are genomic DNA sequences located upstream of expressed genes (messenger RNA or mRNA) known to facilitate initiation of transcription. Viruses infecting eukaryotes are generally explored as sources of stronger, constitutive, organ or tissue non-specific promoters. Promoter sequences from simian virus 40, cytomegalovirus, cauliflower mosaic virus etc., are commonly used in cross-kingdom gene expression studies of eukaryotic organisms. However, availability and patent limitations often restrict their use in gene expression investigations. This investigation describes the role of different core elements in the expression of Penaeus stylirostris densovirus (PstDNV) genes. We carried out a detailed analysis to delineate the role of different motifs in three promoters of PstDNV. The in vitro promoter assay data revealed the key regulators of transcriptional activity in PstDNV promoters. This information is valuable in constructing viral promoter-based vectors for protein expression in eukaryotic cell culture systems. In the absence of genome sequencing data, information on stronger promoters of Rhizoctonia solani and many other soilborne plant pathogenic fungi are lacking. PstDNV promoters will be evaluated for gene expression experiments on soilborne pathogenic fungi to elucidate roles of specific genes in plant disease development.

Technical Abstract: This manuscript describes the role of different core elements in the transcriptional activity of promoters in a marine parvovirus, Penaeus stylirostris densovirus (PstDNV) that infects shrimp. Although comprehensive information on the role of different elements in the promoters of several animal parvoviruses and some genera of densoviruses are known, information on the core elements in the transcriptional regulation of brevidensoviruses are very limited. We carried out a detailed analysis to delineate the role of different motifs in three promoters of PstDNV. The in vitro promoter assay data revealed that inverted repeat, DPE, GC-rich regions, G at +24, and ASL-box are the key regulators of transcriptional activity in PstDNV promoters. Identification of the key transcriptional regulators is important in understanding the PstDNV pathogenesis in shrimp. This information is also valuable in constructing shrimp viral promoter-based vectors for protein expression in insect cell culture systems as well as in shrimp.