title: The molecular basis of herpes simplex virus latency.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type 1 is a neurotropic herpesvirus that establishes latency within sensory neurones. Following primary infection, the virus replicates productively within mucosal epithelial cells and enters sensory neurones via nerve termini. The virus is then transported to neuronal cell bodies where latency can be established. Periodically, the virus can reactivate to resume its normal lytic cycle gene expression programme and result in the generation of new virus progeny that are transported axonally back to the periphery. The ability to establish lifelong latency within the host and to periodically reactivate to facilitate dissemination is central to the survival strategy of this virus. Although incompletely understood, this review will focus on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of latency that centre on the functions of the virus-encoded latency-associated transcripts (LATs), epigenetic regulation of the latent virus genome and the molecular events that precipitate reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.forename: João T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Proença
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Efstathiou
mesh_terms: D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014775:Virus Activation; D017735:Virus Latency