Identification of the UL4 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 gene UL4 is predicted to encode a 199-amino-acid protein with a molecular mass of 21 5 kDa. We report here identification of this protein and its localization in the nuclei of infected cells. Antisera raised against oligopeptides corresponding to the C terminus of the predicted UL4 protein were used for identification of a 25 kDa protein as the product of the UL4 gene. This protein was not detected in cells infected with a UL4 defective mutant virus, but was synthesized by coupled in vitro transcription-translation of the UL4 gene. Synthesis of the 25 kDa protein was blocked by phosphonoacetic acid, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, indicating that the UL4 gene is expressed with gamma kinetics. Subcellular fractionation showed the protein to be localized in the nucleus. It was not detected in virions or light particles.