Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Part I Introduction: definition and classification of the human herpesviruses
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: alphaherpesviruses
- 5 Genetic comparison of human alphaherpesvirus genomes
- 6 Alphaherpes viral genes and their functions
- 7 Entry of alphaherpesviruses into the cell
- 8 Early events pre-initiation of alphaherpes viral gene expression
- 9 Initiation of transcription and RNA synthesis, processing and transport in HSV and VZV infected cells
- 10 Alphaherpesvirus DNA replication
- 11 Envelopment of HSV nucleocapsids at the inner nuclear membrane
- 12 The egress of alphaherpesviruses from the cell
- 13 The strategy of herpes simplex virus replication and takeover of the host cell
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: betaherpesviruses
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: gammaherpesviruses
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HSV-1 and HSV-2
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: VZU
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HCMV
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HHV- 6A, 6B, and 7
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: gammaherpesviruses
- Part IV Non-human primate herpesviruses
- Part V Subversion of adaptive immunity
- Part VI Antiviral therapy
- Part VII Vaccines and immunothgerapy
- Part VIII Herpes as therapeutic agents
- Index
- Plate section
- References
10 - Alphaherpesvirus DNA replication
from Part II - Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: alphaherpesviruses
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Part I Introduction: definition and classification of the human herpesviruses
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: alphaherpesviruses
- 5 Genetic comparison of human alphaherpesvirus genomes
- 6 Alphaherpes viral genes and their functions
- 7 Entry of alphaherpesviruses into the cell
- 8 Early events pre-initiation of alphaherpes viral gene expression
- 9 Initiation of transcription and RNA synthesis, processing and transport in HSV and VZV infected cells
- 10 Alphaherpesvirus DNA replication
- 11 Envelopment of HSV nucleocapsids at the inner nuclear membrane
- 12 The egress of alphaherpesviruses from the cell
- 13 The strategy of herpes simplex virus replication and takeover of the host cell
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: betaherpesviruses
- Part II Basic virology and viral gene effects on host cell functions: gammaherpesviruses
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HSV-1 and HSV-2
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: VZU
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HCMV
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: HHV- 6A, 6B, and 7
- Part III Pathogenesis, clinical disease, host response, and epidemiology: gammaherpesviruses
- Part IV Non-human primate herpesviruses
- Part V Subversion of adaptive immunity
- Part VI Antiviral therapy
- Part VII Vaccines and immunothgerapy
- Part VIII Herpes as therapeutic agents
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
DNA replication in alphaherpesviruses has been the subject of study in bursts over the years. Interest in the subject depends not just on simple curiosity about this central feature of the viral growth cycle, but also because DNA replication is a potentially useful target for antiviral therapy, as has already been shown with agents such as acyclovir. The viral contributions to the mechanism of genome replication are quite well understood but we still are unable to duplicate the in vivo situation in an in vitro assay. Much of the recent interesting work involves the host cell's contribution to the process, and this seems likely to remain a focus for the future.
Structure of the genome
There are over 30 alphaherpesviruses that infect a wide range of host species. Their genomes fall into two general categories, either herpes simplex (HSV) – like or varicella zoster (VZV) – like, with four or two, respectively, isomeric forms (Fig. 10.1). There is a wide range of G + C content (32%–75%), with a bias towards higher (>50%) numbers. There is also size heterogeneity (125–180 kbp) which, although quantitatively less than the nucleotide composition variation, may be much more significant for the lifestyle of the virus. All alphaherpesvirus genomes contain four general structural components: unique long and short (UL, US) sequences that encode single-copy genes and inverted repeat regions that bound the unique regions; these may contain diploid genes and sequences required for cleavage and packaging of viral DNA (Fig. 10.1).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Human HerpesvirusesBiology, Therapy, and Immunoprophylaxis, pp. 138 - 143Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007
References
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