Cloning and restriction endonuclease mapping of herpes simplex virus type-1 strains H129 and +GC

EcoRI fragments of herpes simplex virus I (HSV-1) strains H129 and +GC were cloned and the EcoRI and BglII restriction enzyme sites were mapped. Comparison of these enzyme sites with the sequence of HSV-1 strain 17syn+ demonstrated that all EcoRI sites were identical. For H129, the BglII sites were also found to match strain 17syn+BglII sites. With one exception, the BglII sites in strain +GC also aligned with the strain 17syn+ sequence. The one exception was a missing BglII site from strain +GC located between bases 25 149 and 25 154 in the EcoRI D fragment within the viral deoxyribonuclease gene (UL₁₂). The BglII site represents the first difference to be mapped within HSV-1 strains H129 and +GC which have unique pathobiological properties in animal models of acute and reactivated infections.