USE OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS ORF P PROTEIN IN REPRESSION OF VIRAL PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

The present invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to thetreatment of herpes simplex virus infections and the screening of compoundsfor activity that inhibit or promote viral latency. The previously identifiedORF P gene product now has been shown to interact with certain eukaryoticsplicing factors and, in a cell infected with a herpesvirus containing aderepressed ORF P gene, ORF P can limit the splicing of at least two viralproducts. Given this function, it now is possible to screen for inhibitors andinducers of ORF P and, further, provide methods for maintaining and preventingviral latency.