Localization of the regions of homology between the genomes of herpes simplex virus, type 1, and pseudorabies virus

Abstract

Only 8% of the sequences of the genomes of pseudorabies (PRV) and herpes simplex (type 1) (HSV) viruses are homologous. These homologous sequences have been shown previously to be distributed throughout most of the genomes of the two viruses. By means of blot hybridization of restriction fragments of HSV-1 DNA to cloned, nick-translated restriction fragments of PRV DNA, it was possible to compare the location on the genomes of these viruses of the homologous regions. The results showed that the genome of PRV is, for the most part, colinear with the IL arrangement of the genome of HSV-1. An inversion or translocation of sequences mapping on the PRV genome between 0.07 and 0.39 map units was observed on the genome of one of these viruses. A comparison of the map positions of five genes with known functions confirmed these findings. The genes coding for the major immediate-early protein, the major capsid protein, and the thymidine kinase occupy similar positions on the genome of PRV and on the genome of HSV-1 in the IL arrangement. However, the genes for DNA polymerase and for the major DNA binding protein appear to be inverted relative to one another on the genomes of the two viruses.