ICP8, the herpes simplex virus type-1 single-strand DNA-binding protein, is one of seven proteins encoded in the viral genome of HSV-1 that is required for HSV-1 DNA replication.[1] It is able to anneal to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as well as melt small fragments of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA);[1] its role is to destabilize duplex DNA during initiation of replication. It differs from helicases because it is ATP- and Mg2+-independent.[1] In cells infected with HSV-1, the DNA in those cells become colocalized with ICP8.
ICP8 is required in late gene transcription, and has found to be associated with cellular RNA polymerase II holoenzyme.[2]
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edit- ^ a b c Boehmer, PE; Lehman, IR (1993). "Herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP8: Helix-destabilizing properties". Journal of Virology. 67 (2): 711–5. PMC 237422. PMID 8380461.
- ^ Zhou, C; Knipe, DM (2002). "Association of herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP8 and ICP27 proteins with cellular RNA polymerase II holoenzyme". Journal of Virology. 76 (12): 5893–904. doi:10.1128/JVI.76.12.5893-5904.2002. PMC 136207. PMID 12021322.