Restricted expression of herpes simplex virus lytic genes during establishment of latent infection by thymidine kinase-negative mutant viruses.

摘要: Infection of cells by herpes simplex virus (HSV) can lead to either lytic, productive infection or nonlytic, latent infection. The factors influencing this pathway decision are largely unknown. Thymidine kinase-negative mutant viruses establish in neurons mouse trigeminal ganglia but do not replicate productively these cells. We show that during the early stages establishment latency mutants, expression viral lytic genes is drastically reduced undetectable as assayed situ hybridization. Thus, HSV occur despite severely restricted levels gene expression. This suggests block replication occurs before alpha genes.