Replication of simian herpesvirus SA8 and identification of viral polypeptides in infected cells

The replication of the simian herpesvirus SA8 in Vero cells was examined. The time course of replication of the simian herpesvirus SA8 was found to be similar to that of the herpes simplex viruses. Infectious progeny virions were first detectable by 6 h postinfection and were readily released into the extracellular fluids beginning at 9 h postinfection. All cell lines tested, with the exception of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, were permissive for SA8. Analysis of SA8-infected cells by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed over 40 infected cell polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from 158,000 to less than 10,000. Of these proteins, 23 were present in virions. Three classes of infected cell polypeptides could be identified based on the kinetics of their synthesis. Post-translational processing of several SA8-induced proteins was also observed in pulse-chase experiments. Six distinct SA8-specific glycoproteins ranging from 118,000 to 19,500 daltons were also identified in infected cells. Of these glycoproteins, five were present in virions.