THE EQUINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE-1 GLYCOPROTEIN HOMOLOGOUS TO HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-1 GLYCOPROTEIN-M IS A MAJOR CONSTITUENT OF THE VIRUS PARTICLE

Glycoprotein 45 is a major envelope glycoprotein of equine herpesvirus type 1. The gene encoding this protein is located between map units 0 .615 and 0.636 on the virus genome and evidence has suggested that it is encoded by gene 52, one of four genes within this region. Using PCR we have amplified gene 52 and subsequently cloned it into a mammalian expression vector under the control of the human cytomegalovirus imme diate early gene promoter. The gene was expressed in COS-7 cells and i ts product was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Th e results indicate that glycoprotein 45 is encoded by gene 52, and tha t it is the homologue of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein M.