During latency, herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA is associated with nucleosomes in a chromatin structure.

Latent herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA has a nucleosomal structure similar to that of cellular chromatin, as determined by micrococcal nuclease digestion. All of the major regions, including the transcriptionally active region of the genome, were found to be associated with nucleosomes. Such a chromatin structure is likely to be an important element in the control of herpes simplex virus type 1 gene expression during latency.