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The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Alkaline DNase Activity Is Essential for Replication and Growth

Institute of Virology, Church Street, Glasgow G11 5JR, U.K.

A mutant of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is temperature-sensitive (ts) for the induction of an alkaline DNase activity, was examined at a number of different temperatures. Induction of DNase activity by this mutant resembled that of wild-type (wt) virus at 31 °C but was greatly reduced at 38.5 °C and barely detectable at 39.2 °C. Virus DNA synthesis showed similar patterns, exhibiting wt levels at 31 °C, reduced levels at 38.5 °C and very little incorporation at 39.2 °C. Similarly, virus growth in cells infected with this mutant was equal to that of wt at 31 °C, slightly reduced at 38.5 °C but considerably reduced at 39.2 °C. Marker rescue of the ts DNase lesion restored wt levels of virus DNase activity, of virus DNA synthesis and of virus growth, thus providing direct evidence that HSV DNase activity is essential for virus replication.

Keywords: HSV-2, DNase activity, DNA synthesis, growth

Received 5 December 1985; accepted 20 February 1986.