Identification of a new transcriptional unit that yields a gene product within the unique sequences of the short component of the herpes simplex virus 1 genome.

The herpes simplex virus genome 1 consists of two unique stretches, long (UL) and short (U(S)), each flanked by inverted repeat sequences. The U(S) sequence has been previously reported to contain 12 open reading frames designated U(S)1 through U(S)12. This report demonstrates the existence of a 13th open reading frame within the U(S) sequence, designated U(S)8.5. The U(S)8.5 sequence is located between, and overlaps in part with, the domains of the U(S)8 and U(S)9 genes. Its transcription is initiated within the coding sequence of U(S)8, and its transcript decays earlier than that of U(S)8. On the basis of the size of its RNA (1.2 kb) and map position, it is likely that the U(S)8.5 transcript is 3' coterminal with the U(S)8 and U(S)9 mRNAs at the single polyadenylation signal which serves these genes. The nucleotide sequence of the U(S)8.5 open reading frame predicts that its product is a 151-amino-acid basic, hydrophilic polypeptide. To determine whether the U(S)8.5 encodes a protein, a sequence encoding 23 amino acids that contains an epitope reacting with a known monoclonal antibody to human cytomegalovirus protein was inserted in frame after the predicted fifth codon of the U(S)8.5 gene. The recombinant virus carrying this epitope induced the synthesis of a protein reactive with the monoclonal antibody in immunoblots. The tagged protein localized in nucleoli of cells infected with the recombinant virus.