Inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by genistein, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase.

Genistein, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase, inhibited the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) at genistein concentrations of more than 25 microM, whereas the related compounds, which do not inhibit protein-tyrosine kinases, did not affect the replication of HSV-1. In the presence of genistein, the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in specific viral polypeptides was markedly reduced. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in viral polypeptides may be essential for the replication of HSV-1.