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The molecular structure of the genome of simian herpes B virus (SHBV) was determined by restriction endonuclease mapping studies. Genomic DNA was cleaved with restriction endonucleases BamHI and Sail into 41 and 58 fragments, respectively. Most of these fragments were cloned into the plasmid vector pACYC184; uncloned fragments were identified following isolation from agarose gels. Terminal fragments were identified by exonuclease digestion and radioactive end-labelling, and linkage of fragments was deduced by a combination of single and double digest experiments and cross-blot hybridizations. The genome is larger than that of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), being approximately 165 kilobase pairs. Like that of HSV-1, the SHBV genome is composed of a long and a short unique region each flanked by inverted repeat sequences, which allow the unique regions to invert relative to one another, resulting in four possible isomeric arrangements of the molecule. Genome locations of several SHBV genes were compared with their HSV-1 homologues.

The 10K gene of simian herpes B virus (SHBV) has been located and the nucleotide sequence determined. Its relationship to homologous genes in other herpesviruses has been examined. The SHBV 10K gene exhibits a closer relationship to its homologue in HSV-1 than to those in the other viruses studied. Nucleotide sequence identity of 61% was found between the HSVl and SHBV 10K genes, and 57% identity was found between the corresponding predicted protein Sequences. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of the herpesvirus 1 OK proteins has revealed a number of conserved features. These are examined in relation to possible functions of the 1 OK proteins. Implications for evolutionary relationships between SHBV and other herpesviruses are discussed.

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