Duck enteritis virus LORF4 gene is a late gene and nonessential for virus replication in vitro

ABSTRACT: Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is an avian alpha-herpesvirus that primarily causes an acute and highly contagious infectious disease of ducks. The LORF4 gene is one of the specific genes of DEV, with limited reports on its biological characteristics and functions. This study investigates the basic biological properties of LORF4 protein (pLORF4). The results show that DEV LORF4 is a late gene mainly localized in the cytoplasm of DEV-infected DEF. To explore the role of pLORF4 in the DEV replication life cycle, a recombinant virus lacking pLORF4 expression was constructed. The results showed that pLORF4 is not essential for virus replication and does not affect virus adsorption, assembly and release, it plays a positive role in virus invasion and DNA replication. In summary, this study provides a foundation for further research on the function of the LORF4 gene.