Accessibility of the HSV genome

The transcription of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) genes is regulated by viral and cellular transcription factors and genome replication. One regulatory aspect is accessibility of viral genes to the host transcription machinery. In this study we determine how the major HSV-1 transcriptional regulatory protein, ICP4, and viral DNA replication affect accessibility, and how this relates to viral gene transcription. We also assessed viral genome accessibility in sensory neuronal model that has the potential for viral gene silencing and establishment of quiescent, or latent infection. We conclude that the accessibility of the viral genome to the cellular machinery responsible for viral gene expression is an important determinant to infection outcome.