Herpes simplex virus ORF P is a repressor of viral protein synthesis
AssigneeArch Development Corporation
InventorsRenato Bruni, Bernard Roizman
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections and the screening of compounds for activity that inhibit or promoter viral latency. The previously identified ORF P gene product now has been shown to interact with certain eukaryotic splicing factors and, in a cell infected with a herpesvirus containing a derepressed ORF P gene, ORF P can limit the splicing of at least two viral products. Given this function, it now is possible to screen for inhibitors and inducers of ORF P and, further, provide methods for maintaining and preventing viral latency.
Claims8
A method for preventing latency in a herpes simplex virus infected cell comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a herpes simplex virus vector encoding a ORF P antisense construct;
- and
- (b) contacting said cell with said vector,
- whereby expression of an ORF P antisense transcript decreases the level of ORF P polypeptide in said cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.