Cells that constitutively express the herpes simplex virus immediate-early protein ICP4 allow efficient activation of viral delayed-early genes in trans.
To study the role of herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate-early proteins in the transcriptional activation of herpes simplex virus genes, we isolated stably transformed cells expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP4, an immediate-early protein known from previous studies to be necessary for delayed-early and late transcription. These cells efficiently expressed six delayed-early herpes simplex virus genes introduced by viral superinfection, in the absence of de novo viral protein synthesis. In contrast, the delayed-early gene encoding alkaline exonuclease and the late gene encoding the capsid protein VP5 were expressed at much lower levels. Expression of a second late gene, that for glycoprotein C, was undetectable under the same experimental conditions. These results suggest that many, but not all, delayed-early genes are efficiently activated by ICP4; in addition, they demonstrate that although the late gene for VP5 is detectably activated by ICP4, its full expression requires additional factors.
Persson
R H
RH
Bacchetti
S
S
Smiley
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005092:Exonucleases / Q000235:genetics; D005814:Genes, Viral; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics*; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000032:analysis; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins
D014764:Viral Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; D005092:Exonucleases