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Latency competence of thirteen HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutants
The Journal of General Virology
|July 1, 1980
Summary
Thirteen temperature-sensitive mutants of Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) were studied for their ability to cause latent infections in mice. Specific viral functions, including immediate early and later stages, are crucial for establishing and maintaining HSV-1 latency.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latent infections, primarily in neurons.
- Understanding the viral factors governing HSV-1 latency is critical for developing therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations in HSV-1's capacity to establish latent infections in the mouse brain.
- To identify specific viral genes and functions essential for HSV-1 latency.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of thirteen ts mutants of HSV-1 for latency establishment in mouse brains.
- Ultrastructural studies of infected neuroblastoma cells at restrictive temperatures.
- Comparison of latency phenotypes with viral polypeptide profiles.
Main Results:
- Eleven of thirteen ts mutants were definitively classified as latency-positive or -negative.
- Revertants of latency-negative mutants regained the ability to establish latent infections, confirming the role of ts lesions.
- No direct correlation was found between latency and the synthesis of specific morphologically identifiable viral products.
Conclusions:
- Viral functions, specifically one immediate early and one or more later functions, are necessary for HSV-1 latency establishment and/or maintenance.
- Temperature-sensitive lesions in HSV-1 directly impact its ability to establish latent infections.