Characterization of the UL10 gene product of herpes simplex virus type 1 and investigation of its role in vivo

• Published in: Journal of general virology 1993-06, Vol.74 (6), p.975-983
• Main Authors: MacLean, Christine A, Robertson, Lesley M, Jamieson, Fiona E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Deletion; Genes, Viral - genetics; Glycoproteins - chemistry; Glycosylation; herpes simplex virus 1; Membrane Glycoproteins; Membrane Proteins - chemistry; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membranes - chemistry; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbiology; Replicative cycle, interference, host-virus relations, pathogenicity, miscellaneous strains; Simplexvirus - chemistry; Simplexvirus - genetics; Simplexvirus - pathogenicity; Viral Proteins - chemistry; Viral Proteins - genetics; Virion - chemistry; Virion - growth & development; Virology; Virulence; Virus Activation
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-74-6-975

MRC Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, University of Glasgow, Church Street, Glasgow G11 5JR, U.K. On the basis of predicted amino acid sequence characteristics, herpes simplex virus type 1 gene UL10 is thought likely to encode a membrane protein with eight potential transmembrane regions. Previously, a protein with an apparent M r 47 000 on SDS-PAGE was identified as a product of this gene. Here we have further characterized this protein, and show that it is modified by N -linked glycosylation, associates with membranes from infected cells, and is a component of the virus particle. It is not essential for virus growth in tissue culture. To investigate its role in vivo a deletion mutant lacking the majority of the UL10 open reading frame was constructed ( UL10-del ). The in vitro growth properties of this virus were consistent with previous studies; it grew to give slightly lower yields than wild-type and revertant viruses, and had no apparent temperature-sensitive or host range phenotype. In vivo , in a mouse model, UL10-del was capable of establishing a latent infection, although it was impaired for growth at the periphery, and for spread to and/or growth within the nervous system relative to wild-type or revertant viruses. Present address: Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Royal College, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW, U.K. Received 12 November 1992; accepted 26 January 1993.