BACKGROUND pUL21 is a conserved protein of Alphaherpesvirinae that performs multiple important functions. The C-terminus of pUL21 in other members of this subfamily has RNA-binding ability; this domain contributes to pseudorabies virus (PRV) retrograde axonal transport in vitro and in vivo and participates in newly replicated viral DNA packaging and intracellular virus transport. However, knowledge regarding duck enteritis virus (DEV) pUL21 is limited. RESULTS We verified that DEV UL21 is a γ2 gene that encodes a structural protein. Moreover, we observed that pUL21 localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV pUL21 interacted with pUL16 and formed a complex in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 T cells and DEV-infected duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). These results were further confirmed by CO-IP assays. CONCLUSIONS The DEV UL21 gene is a late gene, and pUL21 localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV UL21 is a virion component. In addition, pUL21 can interact with pUL16. These findings provide insight into the characteristics of UL21 and the interaction between pUL21 and its binding partner pUL16. Our study enhances the understanding of DEV pUL21.

中文翻译：

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鸭肠炎病毒UL21是一种晚期基因，编码与pUL16相互作用的蛋白质。

背景技术pUL21是Alphaherpesvirinae的保守蛋白，具有多种重要功能。该亚家族其他成员中pUL21的C末端具有RNA结合能力。此域有助于在体外和体内伪狂犬病病毒（PRV）逆行轴突运输，并参与新复制的病毒DNA包装和细胞内病毒运输。但是，关于鸭肠炎病毒（DEV）pUL21的知识是有限的。结果我们证实DEV UL21是编码结构蛋白的γ2基因。而且，我们观察到pUL21定位于细胞核和细胞质。DEV pUL21与pUL16相互作用，并在转染的人胚肾（HEK）293 T细胞和DEV感染的鸭胚成纤维细胞（DEF）中形成复合物。通过CO-IP分析进一步证实了这些结果。结论DEV UL21基因是晚期基因，pUL21定位于细胞核和细胞质。DEV UL21是病毒体组件。另外，pUL21可以与pUL16相互作用。这些发现提供了对UL21的特征以及pUL21与其结合伴侣pUL16之间相互作用的深入了解。我们的研究增强了对DEV pUL21的理解。