Circular and circular-linear DNA molecules of herpes simplex virus

Circular and circular-linear DNA molecules of herpes simplex virus were isolated from infected cells. Two types of circular-linear DNA molecules are described, one with a circular component of about 8 micrometer and a linear component of 45 micrometer and the other with a circular component of 45 micrometer and a linear component of 8 micrometer. The circular DNA molecules were either the size of linear DNA molecules or were shorter and corresponded to the length of the L (long) component of linear virus DNA.