The herpes simplex virus type 1 US7 gene product is a 66K glycoprotein and is a target for complement-dependent virus...

The US7 open reading frame of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), previously identified by nucleotide sequencing, has been expressed in a recombinant vaccinia virus (US7-VAC). Antiserum raised against HSV-1 reacted with a 66K glycoprotein in US7-VAC-infected cells and this polypeptide was present on both nuclear and cell surface membranes. In the presence of tunicamycin the protein was reduced in size to 58K showing it contained N-linked sugar residues. Antisera from animals vaccinated with US7-VAC recognized 66K and 58K polypeptides in HSV-1-infected cells and neutralized HSV-1 infectivity in vitro in the presence of complement.