ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, cilt.75, sa.2, ss.16, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
The transcription of mammalian genomes exhibits an intriguing complexity and numerous
novel RNA molecules have been identified. Viruses with large DNA genomes, especially herpesviruses,
generate many different RNA species, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Dense viral
genomes can generate multigenic transcripts in addition to commonly observed antisense transcripts. It
is essential to study the biological roles of these transcripts aside from the protein-coding counterparts.
Multiple antisense transcripts from the open reading frame (ORF) 63-64 locus in murine
gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) were detected by northern blotting. Expression analysis by quantitative
reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) did not detect different isoforms. Several alternative splicing
isoforms exist during lytic replication; however, they are not detected during latency. To identify the
roles of these new transcripts, qRT-PCR may not be enough and should be supported by an alternative
method such as northern blotting. A more detailed transcriptional map of the locus of interest is useful
to design experimental strategies and perform functional studies, especially when working with genedense viral genomes.