Beta-galactosidase as a marker in the peripheral and neural tissues of the herpes simplex virus-infected mouse.

We have inserted a modified Escherichia coli lacZ gene, placed under the control of herpes simplex virus alpha 4 or beta 8 regulatory signals, into the HSV-1 genome disrupting the viral thymidine kinase gene. Using beta-galactosidase as an in situ indicator of viral gene expression, we detected expression from these recombinant HSV in dermal and neural tissues of the BALB/c mouse. Our detection of beta-galactosidase expression in neuronal cells indicates that TK-deficient viruses are capable of invading mouse neuronal cells and expressing up to the beta class of gene product.