In-vitro synthesis of functional varicella zoster and herpes simplex viral thymidine kinase

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase (TK) genes were cloned into the transcription vector pGEM4. In-vitro translation (ivt) of RNA transcribed from these genes showed prominent expression of functional TK proteins with the expected molecular weights of 36 kD for VZV and 43, 39, and 38 kD for HSV-1. The TK proteins were recognized by rabbit anti-VZV and anti-HSV-1 antibodies, respectively. Analysis of the ivt products by thin-layer chromatography revealed the conversion of thymidine to its phosphorylated forms (TMP, TDP, and TTP) by both the VZV and HSV-1 TK genes. The estimated specific activities of the in-vitro translated VZV and HSV-1 TKs were comparable. VZV TK templates were linearized at internal restriction sites and RNAs transcribed from these templates directed the synthesis of polypeptides with sizes consistent with the colinearity of the VZV TK gene. Deletion of 107 amino acids at the carboxy terminus of the VZV TK gene abolished the in-vitro TK activity. In addition, immunoprecipitation of truncated proteins synthesized in vitro suggested the possible involvement of the region between amino acid residues 101 and 168 from the amino terminus of the VZV TK molecule in the formation of structures necessary for antigenicity.