A BAC clone of MDV strain GX0101 with REV-LTR integration retained its pathogenicity

The complete genome of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) strain GX0101, which was integrated with the LTR sequences of REV, was cloned in Escherichia coli as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). BAC vector sequences were introduced into the US2 locus of the MDV genome by homologous recombination. The viral DNA containing the BAC vector was used to transform Escherichia coli strain of DH10B. Then the recombinant virus was successfully rescued by transfection of the recombinant BAC DNA into primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF). This BAC viral clone was named bac-GX0101. When the reconstituted virus was inoculated into 1-day-old birds, visceral tumors could be detected as early as 62 d post infection. There was no difference in growth ability and pathogenicity to birds between the BAC derived virus and its parental virus. The BAC derived virus maintained its oncogenicity and immunosuppressive effects. In conclusion, the complete genome of GX0101 strain was successfully cloned into BAC and the infectious clone was rescued. With the powerful BAC manipulation system, the infectious clone will provide a useful tool for further understanding the functional roles of the inserted REV-LTR sequence in the GX0101 strain of MDV. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30671571) and BBSRC China Partnering Award (Grant No. CPA1740)