Expression of an early, nonstructural antigen of herpes simplex virus in cell transformed in vitro by herpes simplex virus

Abstract

Hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to an early, nonstructural herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-induced polypeptide (VP143) reacted in immunofluorescence tests with a variety of cell lines transformed by HSV-2. Cytoplasmic fluorescence was observed in 10 to 50% of HSV-2-transformed cells, whereas no fluorescence was observed in cells transformed by other oncogenic DNA viruses or by a chemical carcinogen. VP143-specific reactivity could be absorbed from anti-VP143 serum with HSV-2-transformed cells but not with cells transformed by other agents. When HSV-2-transformed cells were synchronized in mitosis and examined at various times postmitosis for VP143-specific fluorescence, the expression of VP143 was shown to be cell cycle dependent.