Altered kinetic properties of sialyl and galactosyl transferases associated with herpes simplex virus infection of GMK and BHK cells.

Microsomal sialyl transferase and galactosyl transferase activities of herpes simplex virus-infected GMK and BHK cells were studied. Apparent Km values calculated for sialyl and galactosyl transferases differed significantly from the corresponding values of uninfected cells. Both transferases of HSV-infected cells demonstrated acceptor specificities different from those of uninfected cells. It is suggested that herpes simplex virus might influence glycosylation of proteins by modifying the glycosyl transferases of the infected cells.