Specific phosphorylation of E-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine by herpes simplex virus-infected cells.

E-5-(2-Iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (IvdUrd), a highly selective and potent anti-herpes agent, is phosphorylated by primary rabbit kidney (PRK) cells that have been infected with either herpes simplex virus type 1 (KOS) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (G). However, IvdUrd is not phosphorylated by mock-infected PRK cells or PRK cells that have been infected with a thymidine kinase-deficient mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 (B 2006). These observations strengthen the concept that the selectivity of IvdUrd and related E-5-(2-halogenovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridines as anti-herpes agents depends on a specific phosphorylation by the virus-encoded thymidine kinase.