HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS-1 (HSV-1) HELPER COINFECTION AFFECTS THE DISTRIBUTION OF AN AMPLICON ENCODED PROTEIN IN GLIA

HSV-1 derived amplicons expressing cytoplasmic beta-galactosidase (pA- SF1), or plasma membrane targeted TIMP-Thy1 (pA-TT1), were used to tra nsduce glial cells in vitro. By monitoring the expression of reporter genes from both amplicons and helper virus, we determined that many ce lls were infected by both particles. In glial cells infected only by p A-SF1 beta-galactosidase immunoreactivity was restricted to the cytopl asm; co-infection with helper HSV-1 (wild type), resulted in additiona l nuclear beta-galactosidase immunoreactivity. Co-infection of cells w ith amplicon pA-TT1 and helper virus did not affect the plasma membran e localization of TIMP/Thy1. Thus, co-infection with wild type helper virus altered the localization of an amplicon encoded cytoplasmic, but not plasma membrane protein.