Analysis of DNA synthesis in herpes simplex virus infected cells by dual parameter flow cytometry.

The DNA incorporation of a thymidine analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) in herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infected cervical cancer cell lines (CaSki and C-33 A) was studied by dual parameter flow cytometry. HSV-2 infection resulted in an exponential increase in DNA synthesis in the CaSki cells. In the less permissive C-33 A cells the proportion of DNA-synthesizing cells cycled during HSV-2 infection. The inhibition of viral DNA synthesis by phosphonoformate (PFA) was able to inhibit the virus induced changes in the CaSki but not in the C-33 A cells. In the C-33 A cells a part of the virus induced cellular DNA synthesis represents repair replication of cellular DNA.