Transcription from the gene encoding the herpesvirus entry receptor nectin-1 (HveC) in nervous tissue of adult mouse

Both human and murine forms of nectin-1 (HveC, Prr1) can serve as entry rec eptors for several neurotropic herpesviruses, including herpes simplex viru ses 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV), and bovine he rpesvirus 1. HSV-1, HSV-2, and PRV can cause lethal neurological disease in mice whether inoculation is directly Into the central nervous system or by peripheral routes. Expression of nectin-1 transcripts in cells of the adul t mouse nervous system was assessed by in situ hybridization. Specific hybr idization signals were detected in neurons in sensory, sympathetic, and par asympathetic ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. In addition, specifi c signals were observed in neurons of the ventral and dorsal horns of the s pinal cord and of the brain stem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and olfactory bulb. These results show that the nectin-1 ge ne is widely transcribed in neurons in adult mouse. Nectin-1 is the only kn own receptor capable of mediating the entry of all three viruses, HSV-1, HS V-2, and PRV. Its pattern of expression in the nervous system suggests a ke y role in neurological disease caused by these viruses. (C) 2001 Academic P ress.