Complementary oligonucleotide sequence inhibits both Vmw65 gene expression and replication of herpes simplex virus

Abstract

The virion tegument protein, Vmw65, of herpes simplex virus is a transacting molecule which induces immediate early gene transcription. We show that an oligodeoxyribonucleotide which is complementary to the translation initiation region of Vmw65 mRNA inhibited the expression of Vmw65 biological activity in a Vmw65-expressing cell line and reduced the yield of HSV-1 in tissue culture. The levels of oligomer required to effect viral replication resulted in no observable cellular toxicity.