Replication of herpes simplex virus DNA: localization of replication recognition signals within defective virus genomes.

Serially passaged herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain Justin was previously shown to contain defective virus genomes consisting of head-to-tail reiterations of sequences derived from the end of the S component of the standard virus DNA. Cotransfection of purified monomeric defective genome repeat units with foster helper virus DNAs onto rabbit skin cells resulted in regeneration and replication of concatemeric defective DNA molecules which were successfully encapsidated. Thus, defective HSV-1 (Justin) genomes contain, within their limited DNA sequences, a sufficient set of recognition sites required for HSV DNA replication and packaging. The arrangement of repeat units within the regenerated defective virus genomes was consistent with their replication by a rolling circle mechanism in which a single repeat unit served as the circularized template. This replication occurred most actively late after infection and could be shown to be inhibited by low concentrations of phosphonoacetate known to inhibit the HSV-specified viral DNA polymerase selectively. The resultant concatemers were shown to be cleaved to Mr 100 X 10(6) DNA molecules which were terminated at one end with the proper ac end sequence of the parental standard virus DNA.