PROCESSING AND INTRACELLULAR-LOCALIZATION OF THE HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUSTYPE-1 PROTEINASE

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) capsid protein VP24 (encoded b y UL26) was expressed as a GST-fusion protein and used to prepare a gr oup of monoclonal antibodies. These were used to characterize the prot ein in capsids and virus infected cells and demonstrated that it exist s as two polypeptide species. The nature of the relationship between t hese two species was investigated and found to be associated with disu lphide bonding. Under non-reducing conditions a species corresponding to dimers of VP24 was identified in preparations of B capsids, the sit e of action of the proteinase. Biochemical subcellular fractionation s tudies suggested that only cleaved forms of UL26 and UL26.5 gene produ cts could be detected in the nucleus of the infected cell at early tim es postinfection.