Genome-wide analysis of virus-host interactions in Varizella Zoster Virus (VZV)

• Antragsteller: Privatdozent Dr. Armin Baiker
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Virologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2006 bis 2011
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 21459174

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chickenpox during primary infection and shingles after reactivation from latency. It belongs to the alphaherpesvirus subfamily and possesses a double-stranded DNA genome of approximately 125 kbp size encoding at least 71 distinct viral proteins. Previous research on VZV was severely hampered by the poor cell culture system available and the lack of a small animal model. In this collaborative project of two institutions, we will apply novel, high-throughput based technologies exclusively established in our laboratories at the Max-von-Pettenkofer Institute and the RZPD to increase our knowledge of this poorly investigated herpesvirus by synergistic effects. Our objective is the investigation of previously uncharacterized viral proteins by screening for virus-host interactions in a genome-wide yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) analysis using the complete set of viral proteins and a neuronal cDNA library. Subsequently, the Y2H interactions will be verified in binding assays with protein microarrays and in infection assays in which cellular interaction partners are knocked-down by siRNA. In this study, VZV shall serve as a model pathogen to set up novel experimental systems for genome-wide analyses which will boost future knowledge in infectiology.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Beteiligte Person: Professor Dr. Jürgen Haas