Herpes simplex virus 1 UL 13 gene product: methods and compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides the gene product of the herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene as being capable of phosphorylating other gene products of the herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene product is used in an assay to identify substances suspected of having anti-herpes simplex viral activity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process of identifying a substance for its anti-herpes simplex viral ability comprising the steps of: 
 a) preparing a model system of phosphorylating a substrate of the herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene product;    b) selecting a substance suspected of having anti-herpes simplex viral acivity; and    c) testing for the ability of said substance to modulate phosphorylation of said substrate and thus anti-herpes simplex viral acivity in said model system.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said substrate is infected cell protein 0, infected cell protein 22, herpes simplex virus U S 11 gene product, herpes simplex virus U L 6 gene product, herpes simplex virus U L 26.5 gene product or herpes simplex virus UL47 gene product.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said model system comprises an effective catalytic amount of a herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene product.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein preparing said model system comprises forming an admixture by reacting an effective catalytic amount of herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene product with an effective amount of a substrate whose phosphorylation is catalysed by said herpes simplex virus U L 13 gene product in a liquid medium containing a phosphate donor.