Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic herpes simplex virus (HSV) promoters which are constructed by operatively linking the 5' nontranscribed domain of an HSV .alpha. gene to a fragment containing the transcription initiation site and the 5' transcribed noncoding region from an HSV .gamma. gene. Synthetic promoters of the invention that are operatively linked to heterologous genes, inserted into HSV genomes and used to generate live virus are useful for expressing polypeptides encoded by the heterologous genes in appropriate host cells. The synthetic promoters direct transcription of the heterologous genes constitutively throughout the reproductive cycle of the virus at a high cumulative level. The recombinant viruses of the invention can also be used as vaccines to present polypeptides against which a host will mount an immune response.

Abstract: A foreign gene is inserted into a viral genome under the control of promoter-regulatory regions of the genome, thus providing a vector for the expression of the foreign gene. DNA constructs, plasmid vectors containing the constructs useful for expression of the foreign gene, recombinant viruses produced with the vector, and associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and purification of a herpes protease and a nucleic acid segment coding for two proteins. The first protein is the herpes protease which is able to cleave itself and also cleave the second protein. This protease is required for the assembly of the herpes virus capsid, therefore is essential for replication. The second protein has previously been designated as the family of proteins in viral infected cells, ICP35. The protease and its substrates are encoded by overlapping nucleic acid segments. This invention also relates to a promoter sequence for the second protein. Methods are presented of producing a viral protease, screening a protease inhibitor which may be used in a drug designed for the treatment of herpes disease, methods for treating herpes and other viral infections wherein the virus employs a protease substantially similar to the herpes protease, for capsid production.

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

Abstract: A virus is disclosed which is rendered avirulent by prevention of expression of an active product of a gene which is designated as .gamma..sub.1 34.5, which maps in the inverted repeats flanking the long unique sequence of herpes simplex virus DNA, and which is not essential for viral growth in cell culture. Viruses from which the gene was deleted or which carried stop codons are totally avirulent on intracerebral inoculation of mice.

Abstract: A foreign gene is inserted into a viral genome under the control of promoter-regulatory regions of the genome, thus providing a vector for the expression of the foreign gene. DNA constructs, plasmid vectors containing the constructs useful for expression of the foreign gene, recombinant viruses produced with the vector, and associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes viruses useful as effective ingredients in vaccines against both virulent HSV-1 and HSV-2 are disclosed. Methods of preparing the recombinant viruses, vaccines incorporating the viruses, and methods of immunizing a human host by inoculation with the vaccines are also disclosed.The genomes of the recombinant viruses each comprise a mutant of the HSV-1 genome from which a portion thereof responsible for neurovirulence yet nonessential for growth is deleted. A gene from the HSV-2 genome responsible for coding an immunity-inducing glycoprotein is inserted in the mutant genome between the end points of deletion therein.

Abstract: Specific DNA sequence insertions, deletions and substitutions (i.e., combinations of sequence deletion and insertion) in eukaryotic cell or viral genomes are stably effected through use of selectable DNA sequences comprising a herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) gene.

Abstract: A live viral vaccine against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) incorporates as an effective ingredient at least one intertypic (HSV-1.times.HSV-2) vaccinal recombinant virus strain.