Patent ID: 6218103
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61K,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
A screening method for compounds having inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus U.sub.s 3 polypeptide-induced inhibition of apoptosis comprising the steps of:(a) providing a first cell comprising a herpes simplex virus U.sub.s 3 gene under the control of a herpes simplex virus immediate early promoter;(b) infecting said first cell with a herpes simplex virus that lacks a functional U.sub.s 3 gene;(c) contacting said first cell with a test compound;(d) incubating said first cell under conditions permitting viral replication; and(e) comparing the cell pathology of said first cell following incubation with (i) the cell pathology of a second cell that lacks a herpes simplex virus U.sub.s 3 gene following infection with said herpes simplex virus and contact with said test compound and (ii) the cell pathology of a third cell comprising a herpes simplex virus U.sub.s 3 gene under the control of a herpes simplex virus immediate early promoter following infection with said herpes simplex virus but in the absence of said test compound.