USE OF DIFFERENTIAL DISPLAY ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION ON THE ACCUMULATION OF CELLULAR RNAS - INDUCTION OF INTERFERON-RESPONSIVE RNAS

We used differential display analysis to identify mRNAs that accumulat e to enhanced levels in human cytomegalovirus-infected cells as compar ed with mock-infected cells. RNAs were compared at 8 hr after infectio n of primary human fibroblasts. Fifty-seven partial cDNA clones were i solated, representing about 26 differentially expressed mRNAs. Eleven of the mRNAs were virus-coded, and 15 were of cellular origin. Six of the partial cDNA sequences have not been reported previously. All of t he cellular mRNAs identified in the screen are induced by interferon L u. The induction in virus-infected cells, however, does not involve th e action of interferon or other small signaling molecules. Neutralizin g antibodies that block virus infection also block the induction. Thes e RNAs accumulate after infection with virus that has been inactivated by treatment with UV light, indicating that the inducer is present in virions. We conclude that human cytomegalovirus induces interferon-re sponsive mRNAs.