Application of genome editing technologies in researches on herpes simplex virus 1

Abstract

The viral genome editing technologies have been shown to largely contribute to the studies of viral gene functions and to the treatment of infectious diseases. With the development of genetic engineering technologies, a variety of viral genome mutation technologies have been established. The homologous recombination is traditionally used to edit the viral genome, but the low frequency of homologous recombination limits its application. Large genome DNA viruses including herpes simplex virus 1 can be edited by bacterial artificial chromosome system. However, the cloning of viral genome to bacterial artificial chromosome plasmid is both laborious and time-consuming, and parts of the plasmid genes or drug selection markers may remain in the genome of virus and then affect the function of virus. Fortunately, the CRISPR-cas9 system which was discovered in 2013 can be used to edit the viral genome efficiently and accurately. Furthermore, the experiment is simple and will not leave any trail of the viral genome when the genetic mutation is performed. Here, we briefly review the application of homologous recombination, bacterial artificial chromosome system and CRISPR-cas9 system in researches on herpes simplex virus 1. Key words: Genome editing technologies; Herpes simplex virus 1