Expression of the HSV specified major DNA-binding protein in virus infected RAJI and VERO cells.

We studied the expression of the Herpes Simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) specified major DNA-binding protein (ICSP 11/12) in virus infected RAJI and VERO cells. Immunofluorescence staining by a specific ICSP 11/12 antiserum distinguished between different cell-virus interactions. ICSP 11/12 synthesized in the HSV-2 infected VERO cells showed dense homogenous nuclear staining early in the infection. During virus replication the pattern changed into a less dense, somewhat marginating staining. The corresponding protein synthesized during persistent HSV-2 infection in the RAJI cells showed granular cytoplasmic staining. Late in the infection a whole cell fluorescence was noted. In the absence of virus DNA-synthesis (PFA treated VERO cells) ICSP 11/12 showed dense homogenous or speckled nuclear pattern. The ICSP 11/12 protein extracted from the different virus-cell interactions also showed different elution from double stranded DNA.