Cloning and sequence of an infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (BHV-1) gene homologous to glycoprotein H of herpes simplex virus.

A homologue to the glycoprotein H (gH) gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been identified in the genome of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR, BHV-1). The gene is located immediately downstream from the thymidine kinase gene, and codes for an open reading frame (orf) of 842 amino acids. The orf has the characteristics of a membrane glycoprotein, including an N-terminal hydrophobic region resembling a signal sequence, a C-terminal region which is probably a transmembrane domain, and six potential sites for N-linked glycosylation. This orf shows significant homology to the gH sequences of both HSV and pseudorabies virus (PRV). We conclude that this gene encodes BHV-1 gH.