Nucleoprotein complex formed between herpes simplex virus UL9 protein and the origin of DNA replication: inter- and intramolecular interactions.

The UL9 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 encodes an origin-binding protein. UL9 protein purified from baculovirus vector-infected insect cells forms a stable complex with DNA containing the herpes simplex virus origin of DNA replication, oriS. Contained within oriS are two UL9 protein-binding sites, I and II, bracketing an (A + T)-rich region. UL9 protein, visualized by electron microscopy, binds selectively at the site of the origin and covers approximately 120 base pairs. Upon formation of the nucleoprotein complex, the apparent contour length of the DNA is shortened, suggesting that this amount of DNA is wrapped or condensed by the protein. A nucleoprotein complex of similar size and structure forms on an inactive origin deleted for binding site II. Multiple intermolecular interactions occur. In particular, UL9 nucleoprotein complexes interact in trans with other UL9 nucleoprotein complexes such that dimer DNA molecules are formed with a junction at the position of protein binding. The DNA molecules in these intermolecular complexes are aligned predominantly in a parallel orientation.