title: DNA sequence of the herpes simplex virus type 1 gene whose product is responsible for transcriptional activation of immediate early promoters.
abstract: Previous work has shown that transcriptional activation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate early genes is mediated by a protein species (Vmw65) present in the tegument of infecting virions. This paper describes DNA sequence analysis and mRNA mapping of the Vmw65 gene in HSV-1 strain 17. The Vmw65 coding region was identified as a 490 codon sequence encoding a polypeptide of molecular weight 54,342 and characterised by a high proportion of charged amino acid residues. A homologue to Vmw65 was detected in the genome of varicella-zoster virus, another human herpesvirus. Apart from its role in trans-activation, Vmw65 is a major constituent of the virion. Its possible significance in virus structure is discussed.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes