ANALYSIS OF CONSERVED DOMAINS OF UL41 OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-1 IN VIRION HOST SHUTOFF AND PATHOGENESIS

The herpes simplex virus type 1 virion host shutoff protein has four d omains whose sequences are conserved only among neurotropic herpesviru ses. Mutant viruses with 29- and S1-amino-acid deletions in domains II I and IV but outside of the domain required for interaction with VP16 were generated. The mutants failed to induce cellular RNA degradation and showed impaired virulence in mice. Domains III and IV are therefor e required for both shutoff and virulence.