Suicidal Phenotype of Proofreading-Deficient Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Polymerase Mutants.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) encodes a family B DNA polymerase (Pol) capable of exonucleolytic proofreading whose functions have been extensively studied in the past. Early studies on the in vitro activity of purified Pol protein found that the enzymatic functions of the holoenzyme are largely separate. Consequently, exonuclease activity can be reduced or abolished by certain point mutations within catalytically important regions, with no or only minor effects on polymerase activity. Despite unimpaired polymerase activity, the recovery of HSV-1 mutants with a catalytically inactive exonuclease has been so far unsuccessful. Hence, mutations such as D368A, which abolish exonuclease activity, are believed to be lethal. Here, we show that HSV-1 can be recovered in the absence of Pol i

SUBMITTER: Brunialti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9888220 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature