[Molecular mechanism of alpha-herpesvirus proliferation].

Among members of the subfamily alpha herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most well-studied and the most important human pathogen. HSV is reported to possess the large, double-stranded DNA genome which contains at least 80 genes. Recent studies have revealed the functions and roles of many gene products in HSV-infected cells. This article briefly reviews the results of these studies relating to HSV replication mechanism in cells and latent infection in central nerve system (CNS).