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Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins
08:26

Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins

Published on: August 31, 2017

Aphidicolin resistance in herpes simplex virus type 1 appears to alter substrate specificity in the DNA polymerase

J D Hall1, S Woodward

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.

Journal of Virology
|June 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Novel herpes simplex virus mutants resistant to aphidicolin were identified. These mutants exhibit altered DNA polymerase substrate recognition, affecting inhibitor sensitivity and mutation rates.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a significant human pathogen.
  • Understanding HSV DNA polymerase function is crucial for antiviral development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize novel HSV mutants resistant to aphidicolin.
  • To investigate the impact of these mutations on DNA polymerase activity and substrate recognition.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of aphidicolin-resistant HSV mutants.
  • Assessment of mutant sensitivity to various polymerase inhibitors.
  • Analysis of mutation rates in selected mutants.

Main Results:

  • Novel HSV mutants exhibiting resistance to aphidicolin were successfully generated.
  • Mutant phenotypes indicate altered substrate recognition by the viral DNA polymerase.
  • Abnormal sensitivity to polymerase inhibitors and elevated mutation rates were observed.

Conclusions:

  • The identified mutations confer resistance to aphidicolin by altering HSV DNA polymerase substrate specificity.
  • These findings provide insights into the structure-function relationship of viral DNA polymerases.
  • The mutants serve as valuable tools for studying DNA replication fidelity and developing new antiviral strategies.

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