Nucleotide sequence analysis of genes encoding glycoproteins D and J in simian herpes B virus

The gene encoding glycoprotein D (gD) of simian herpes B virus (SHBV) was identified by hybridization with the gD gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The gene probe bound to a 2.6 kbp SalI-EcoRI fragment of SHBV DNA, which was cloned into a plasmid vector. The nucleotide sequence of the SHBV DNA fragment was determined. Two complete and one partial open reading frames (ORFs) were found. The nucleotide sequences of the two complete ORFs are 57% and 69% identical to HSV-1 genes US5 (encoding gJ) and US6 (encoding gD), respectively. The partial ORF showed 64% similarity with HSV-1 US7 (encoding gI). The SHBV gD gene revealed many features which are also found in the gD homologues of other herpesviruses. The positions of cysteine residues and receptor-binding sites for the predicted protein are shown to be highly conserved.