New developments in tracing neural circuits with herpesviruses

Virus Res. 2005 Aug;111(2):235-49. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2005.04.012.

Abstract

Certain neurotropic viruses can invade the nervous system of their hosts and spread in chains of synaptically connected neurons. Consequently, it is possible to identify entire hierarchically connected circuits within an animal. In this review, we discuss the use of neurotropic herpesviruses as neuronal tract tracers. Although a variety of tract tracing viruses are available, each with its own unique infection characteristics, we focus on the widespread use of attenuated strains of pseudorabies virus (PRV), a swine herpesvirus with a broad host range. In particular, we focus on new applications of PRV for tract tracing including use of multiple infections by PRV reporter viruses to test for circuit convergence/divergence within the same animal. We provide examples of these combined application techniques within the context of an animal model to study the naturally occurring reversal of seasonal obesity in Siberian hamsters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cricetinae
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 1, Suid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Suid / pathogenicity
  • Herpesvirus 1, Suid / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Neural Pathways / metabolism
  • Neural Pathways / physiology*
  • Neural Pathways / virology*
  • Pseudorabies / virology
  • Rats
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / metabolism
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiology*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / virology*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins