Expression of the murine cytomegalovirus glycoprotein H by recombinant vaccinia virus

The sequence of the gene encoding glycoprotein H (gH) of murine
cytomegalovirus (MCMV) strain Smith was determined and compared
with the sequence of the gH of MCMV strain K181. Transcriptional
analysis showed that gH is encoded by a large mRNA of 5.0 kb, which
is synthesized late in infection. A recombinant vaccinia virus
expressing the MCMV gH open reading frame was constructed (Vac-gH).
Anti-MCMV serum precipitated a protein of 87K from Vac-gH-infected
cells. Reactivity with a monoclonal antibody showed the identity of
the MCMV gH with a 87K envelope glycoprotein described previously
by Loh and Qualtiere. Immunization of mice with the Vac-gH
recombinant gave rise to an anti-gH serum, which neutralized MCMV
without complement in vitro.