A number of viral gene products presently under study are important determinants of viral pathogenesis or alternatively are important for regulating the balance between lytic and latent infection. We are using knockout mice to investigate whether mutations in host genes can compensate for mutations in viral genes that result in impaired growth in normal mice. We are thereby elucidating the interplay between viral and host factors that are proving to be pivotal in determining the outcome of viral infection. Herpes simplex virus virion host shutoff activity alters periocular disease in mice. Leib DA, Harrison TE, Laslo KM, et al.
Interferons regulate the phenotype of wild-type and mutant herpes simplex viruses in vivo .
The virion host shutoff function of herpes simplex virus type 1 plays a role in corneal invasion and functions independently of the cell cycle.