Hsv-2 ul26 gene, capsid proteins, immunoassays and protease inhibitors

摘要

Essentially pure HSV-2 UL26 gene products and fragments thereof including mature HSV-2 protease and active fragments thereof are disclosed. Essentially pure HSV-2 UL26.5 gene products and fragments thereof including mature HSV-2 capsid protein and functional fragments are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising all or part of the HSV-2 UL26 gene and/or the HSV-2 UL26.5 gene are disclosed. Expression vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Methods of identifying compounds that inhibit HSV-2 protease activity and methods of identifying compounds that inhibit HSV-2 virion assembly are disclosed. Synthetic HSV-2 substrates are disclosed. Antibodies that selectively bind to HSV-2 protease processed substrates but not unprocessed substrates or unprocessed substrates but not processed substrates are disclosed. Methods of and kits for distinguishing between HSV-1 DNA or protein and HSV-2 DNA or protein and reagents useful in such methods and kits are disclosed.