Hybrid sequencing discloses unique aspects of the transcriptomic architecture in equid alphaherpesvirus 1

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17716
• Publication Date: 2023-06-28T17:25:10Z
• Authors: Dóra Tombácz; Gábor Torma; Gábor Gulyás; Ádám Fülöp; Ákos Dörmő; István Prazsák; Zsolt Csabai; Máté Mizik; Ákos Hornyák; Zoltán Zádori; Balázs Kakuk; Zsolt Boldogkői
• Keywords: Transcription; Fusion transcript; Intergenic region

This study employed both short-read sequencing (SRS, Illumina) and long-read (LRS Oxford Nanopore Technologies) platforms to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) transcriptome. The involved annotation canonical mRNAs their transcript variants, encompassing transcription start site (TSS) end (TES) isoforms, in addition alternative splicing forms. Furthermore, revealed presence numerous non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules, including intergenic antisense transcripts, produced by EHV-1. An intriguing finding was abundant production chimeric some which potentially encode fusion polypeptides. Moreover, EHV-1 exhibited greater incidence transcriptional overlaps compared related viruses. It is noteworthy that many genes have unique TESs along with co-terminal ends, characteristic scarcely seen other alphaherpesviruses. also identified transcripts overlap replication origins virus. novel ncRNA, referred as NOIR, found intersect 5'-ends longer isoform specified major transactivator ORF64 ORF65, surrounding OriL. These findings together imply existence key regulatory mechanism governs through, among others, process involves interference between DNA synthesis machineries.