Identification of the UL56 Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 within the Virion by Immuno Electron Microscopy

Recently the UL56 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was shown to be associated with the virion of HSV-1 as determined by Western blot analysis. The detection of the UL56 protein in infected cells and its association with virions of HSV-1 is of particular importance, pointing to a possible involvement of UL56 protein in virus-host interactions. In order to investigate the properties of the UL56 protein further immuno-localization was performed using rabbit hyperimmune serum against fusion recombinant UL56 protein and purified virions of HSV-1 strain F. The UL56 protein was detected in the HSV-1 virions by immuno gold negative staining. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.