Like TB40-BAC4, Merlin-UL128LTB40 and Merlin-UL128G>T infected RPE-1 cells approximately 10-fold less efficiently than HFFFs (Fig. 8B), displaying a lower infection efficiency than Merlin-UL128Lwt, Merlin-UL128L3301, and TR. The gene discussed is NF2; the disease is infection.