Intertypic complementation and recombination between temperature-sensitive mutants of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

Abstract

Abstract In an attempt to identify functionally “common” and “type-specific” genes in the genomes of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2), intertypic complementation and recombination experiments between temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of these viruses were undertaken. Intertypic complementation was carried out with seven HSV-1 ts mutants representing five complementation groups, and eight HSV-2 ts mutants representing five complementation groups. Efficient complementation was detected with most HSV-1 + HSV-2 ts mutant pairs, indicating extensive interchangeability of gene functions between HSV types 1 and 2. Progeny analysis of complementation yields demonstrated that complementation was symmetric; i.e., equal amounts of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 ts mutants were produced. HSV-1 wild-type virus was also able to complement HSV-2 ts mutants efficiently. Intertypic recombination experiments demonstrated that heterologous mutant pairs which failed to complement also failed to recombine efficiently.