title: Genetics of herpes simplex virus.
abstract: The most direct approach to elucidating the roles of herpes simplex virus (HSV) proteins in the viral replicative cycle has been to isolate temperature-sensitive, cytolysis-resistant, and drug-resistant mutants that exhibit alterations in the synthesis or activity of these proteins. The development of procedures for the introduction of temperature-sensitive mutations into physically defined regions of the viral genome and for fine mapping of these mutations has proven especially valuable. Thus, (1) hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the HSV-1 BglII I fragment (coordinates 0.312-0.415) has facilitated the genetic and functional characterization of the gene for the major viral DNA-binding protein of 130 K molecular weight; (2) the selection of a mutant conditionally able to render infected cells resistant to immune cytolysis has led to identification of an HSV gene involved in the processing of viral glycoproteins; and (3) the combined use of temperature-sensitive and drug-resistant mutants has led to a better definition of the physical limits and functional domains of the gene for HSV DNA polymerase.
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013696:Temperature; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase