Title

Functional characterization of UL15 and UL28, the putative two-subunit terminase of herpes simplex virus type-1

Date of Completion

January 2004

Keywords

Biology, Molecular|Biology, Cell|Biology, Microbiology

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 requires seven essential genes UL6, UL15, UL17, UL25, UL28, UL32, and for proper encapsidation of the viral genome. UL28 and UL15 are presumed to be the two-subunit terminase, which cleaves and packages the viral genome into capsids. Both proteins have homologs within the herpesvirus family, and UL15 is homologous to the large subunit of terminases in the T-even and Lambda bacteriophage families. Both proteins were analyzed for potential motifs and interaction domains. Using homology alignments and information garnered from bacteriophage terminase mutations, point mutations in UL15 were designed and phenotypes characterized. In addition, the spatial and temporal regulation of UL28 expression and localization within cells was characterized. ^

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