title: A genetic test for expression of a functional herpes simplex virus DNA-binding protein from a transfected plasmid.
abstract: The major DNA-binding protein, ICP8, encoded by herpes simplex virus is localized to the infected cell nucleus where it plays a role in viral DNA replication and control of viral gene expression. To identify the parts of the ICP8 protein that are important for its localization and functions, we have developed a system to test the ability of recombinant plasmids to express functional ICP8. A recombinant plasmid containing the wild-type ICP8 gene was transfected into cells. The cells were later infected with a temperature-sensitive ICP8 mutant virus at the nonpermissive temperature. Sufficient wild-type ICP8 was expressed from the transfected plasmid to complement the replication of the mutant virus. This provides a genetic system to test the properties of ICP8 expressed from mutagenized plasmids without the establishment of a stable cell line or the reintroduction of the ICP8 gene into the herpes simplex virus genome.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Knipe
mesh_terms: D004261:DNA Replication; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010957:Plasmids; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins