Pesquisa de polimorfismos no gene UL23 do herpes simplex vírus do tipo 2 em amostras de úlceras genitais

Abstract

The Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a widespread, incurable agent that establishes latency in nervous cells and is responsible for the majority of genital herpes cases. The UL23 is a polymorphic gene, which encodes the viral thymidine kinase (TK) of the Herpes virus. TK has six conserved regions, including two active sites, which plays an important role in acyclovir (ACV) metabolism. Therefore, some mutations in UL23 are implicated with ACV resistance phenoty pe. In this work, we analyzed 67 samples collected between Ap ril 2008 and September 2009 at the STI/STD clinic of “Alfredo da Matta” Foundation, in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil obtained from HSV-2 genital ulcer patients. In order to characterize polymorphisms, all sp ecimens were processed for total nucleic acid isolation, submitted to PCR amplification targeting the complete ORF of UL23 gene followed by automated nucleotide sequencing with dideoxy chain terminators. Sequences analysis shown that 45 sequences were 100% similar to the reference strain “HG52”. The remaining 22 sequences (32.8%) showed at least one nucleotide substitution; none insertions or deletions were found. Amino acids substitutions were detected in 19 out of 22. The mutation Gly39Glu was the most frequently detected (16/19), followed by Asn78Asp (5/19); Gly39Glu and Asn78Asp were simultaneously found in four samples. Deduced amino acids sequences were aligned with 66 available on GenBank from African and American continents. A total of 23 variable sites were identified and, once more, Gly39Glu mutation was the most frequent found (74/133). Substitutions previously associated with ACV resistance were not detected, however, Gly39Glu was recently described as a probable resistant mutation. Another four mutations observed: His4Tyr, Met70Arg, Asn245Ser and Ala366Val had not been previously described. The theoretical models of TK’s structure built for seven samples showed that amino acids substitutions were found away from the conserved and/or catalytic sites of TK, with the exception of Arg338Gln which was nearly from ATP-binding site. Mutations associated with ACV resistance were not detected. However one of the mutations found, Gly39Glu, was p reviously associated with this resistance phenoty pe. Another four mutations found in his work: His4Tyr, Met70Arg, Asn245Ser and Ala366Val had not been previously described elsewere. To our knowledge, this is the first study on UL23 polymorphisms on Brazilian HSV-2 samples, a research field considered as a priority by WHO HIV/STI program.