Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of a herpes simplex virus type 1-specific antigen: immunological and biochemical characterization.

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens obtained from infected cells solubilized with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 has shown that antigen number 6 (Ag-6) is found in preparations from HSV type 1-infected cells but not in HSV type 2 preparations. A monospecific antiserum was produced against Ag-6 by intracutaneous inoculation of the corresponding immunoprecipitate into rabbits. This antiserum neutralized HSV type 1 but not HSV type 2. The polypeptide composition of Ag-6 (molecular weight, 131,000 daltons) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitate, using radiolabeled antigen. The multitude of information obtained demonstrates that crossed immunoelectrophoresis can be used preparatively, since specific immunoprecipitates represent a short cut for the attainment of immunoreactive viral protein entities useful for further immunological and biochemical analyses.