Interactions between herpes simplex virus DNA-binding proteins.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against several herpes simplex virus (HSV)-induced DNA-binding proteins were used to investigate protein interactions in HSV-infected cells. Q1 monoclonal antibody, which is specific for the HSV-induced alkaline nuclease, when used in an immunoadsorbant column resulted in the purification of the alkaline nuclease, to which large quantities of the major DNA-binding protein were bound. Conversely, when a monoclonal antibody to the major DNA-binding protein was used in affinity chromatography other polypeptides (including the DNA polymerase and alkaline nuclease) were eluted in addition to the major DNA-binding protein. Similar results were obtained when the experiment was performed using a monoclonal antibody to another HSV-2 DNA-binding protein. These results suggest the possibility that these polypeptides interact as part of the HSV DNA replication complex, and this hypothesis is discussed.