Orf virus encodes a functional dUTPase gene

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Abstract
The present study is the first report on the functional activity of a parapoxvirus-encoded dUTPase. The dUTPase gene of the attenuated orf virus (ORFV), strain D1701, was expressed as a bacterial thioredoxin fusion protein.In vitroassays showed that ORFV dUTPase was highly specific for dUTP as substrate. The enzyme was active over a broad pH range (pH 6·0–9·0), with maximal enzymatic activity at pH 7·0 in the presence of Mg2+cations. Kinetic studies of the recombinant ORFV dUTPase revealed an apparentKmof 4·0 μM, which is more similar to that of the mammalian or African swine fever virus enzyme than to theKmof vaccinia virus dUTPase. Enzyme activity was also found with purified ORFV particles, indicating its virion association.