Polymorphism of human cytomegalovirus UL149 gene in low passage clinical isolates
Objective To investigate the polymorphism of human cytomegalovirus UL149 gene in low passage clinical isolates and to identify the relationship between the polymorphism and different pathogenesis of congenital HCMV infection. Methods To amplify the entire HCMV UL149 gene region of 29 clinical isolates by PCR, which had been proven containing detectable HCMV DNA by using FQ-PCR. PCR amplification products were directly sequenced and the sequence data were analysed. Results Twenty-six of 29 isolates were amplified successfully. By comparison with Toledo sequence, the UL149 ORF in all 26 clinical isolates was classified into 3 major genotypes. There are deleted CKP sites and additional TKP sites in some clinical isolates. Conclusion HCMV UL149 sequence is hypervariable. The UL149 sequences in isolates from patients with the same symptoms showed certain structure characters, which were correspond to that of genotype. The data indicated that UL149 gene might play certain role in HCMV infection.