In vitro targeted cleavage of human cytomegalovirus UL54 mRNA segments by RNase P

Objective:To study the cleavage effect of M1 RNA,catalytic subunit of RNase P from Escherichia colion on UL54 mRNA encoding major DNA polymerase of human cytomegalovirus in vitro,and to explore the prospects of ribozyme as a novel antiviral agent.Methods:An external guiding sequence T6 specific to HCMV UL54 mRNA was designed and synthesized;specific cleavage activity of M1RNA guided by T6 was observed in vitro.Results:With the guidance of EGS-T6,M1 RNA from Escherichia coli can block the expression of HCMV UL54 mRNA in vitro.Conclusions:EGS-T6 may fulfill the specific cleavage and be developed as a novel antiviral agent.