Herpes Simplex Virus Specified Deoxypyrimidine Kinase and the Uptake of Exogenous Nucleosides by Infected Cells

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus can confer to thymidine kinaseless [mouse 3T3 fibroblasts] cells the ability to incorporate exogenously supplied thymidine into acid precipitable material. No incorporation of exogenously supplied deoxycytidine into acid precipitable material can be detected after infection of deoxycytidine kinaseless [mouse 3T6 fibroblasts] cells by herpes simplex virus. This failure to incorporate exogenous deoxycytidine is not due to the failure of the deoxycytidine phosphorylating activity of the virus induced deoxypyrimidine kinase but to a block in the metabolism of deoxycytidine monophosphate in herpes simplex virus infected cells. This block becomes evident with the appearance of the virus induced deoxypyrimidine kinase activity. [Baby hamster kidney BHK C13 cells were used as the standard.].