Nucleotide sequence of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Abstract

The complete nucleotide sequence of the thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'' phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21) gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 strain CL101 was determined from a plasmid clone of viral DNA derived by Enquist et al. (1979). A c(complementary)DNA copy of the 5'' end of tyrmidine kinase mRNA was also analyzed to locate the transcribed sequences. The transcribed portion of the gene is .apprx. 1300 nucleotides in length and appears to contain no intervening sequences. These is an untranslated region of 107 nucleotides at the 5'' end of the mRNA followed by an open reading frame of 1128 nucleotides. The gene is thus capable of coding for a protein of 376 amino acids. Sequences similar to those thought to be involved in control of transcription and translation of a variety of eukaryotic and viral genes such as a Hogness box and A-A-T-A-A-A polyadenylylation signals are also present in the herpesvirus thymidine kinase gene.