Localization of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 2 (333)

The thymidine kinase (tk) gene of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has been identified on purified restriction endonuclease fragments of HSV-2 DNA. These fragments were localized on the physical map of HSV-2 DNA. A detailed map of the HSV-2 tk gene region has been constructed which locates the tk gene between 0.285 and 0.310 map units [3.8 kilobase pairs (kb)], whereby tk gene sequences are at least present between 0.299 and 0.303 map units (0.6 kb). Mouse tk- cells that were biochemically transformed contain HSV-2 tk gene DNA sequences that are integrated in the cellular genome.