Double-stranded DNA copies of the single-stranded genomic RNA of foot and mouth disease virus have been cloned into the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. A restriction map of the viral genome was established and aligned with the biochemical map of foot and mouth disease virus. The coding sequence for structural protein VP1, the major antigen of the virus, was identified and inserted into a plasmid vector where the expression of this sequence is under control of the phage lambda PL promoter. In an appropriate host the synthesis of antigenic polypeptide can be demonstrated by radioimmunoassay.

To investigate the size of herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) polypeptides, procedures have been devised to purify the enzyme from infected cells labeled with 35S-methionine by (i) affinity chromatography on Sepharose-5’-amino-5’-deoxythymidine; (ii) preparative isoelectric focusing or preparative PAGE; and (iii) glycerol gradient centrifugation. Portions of enzyme fractions, at each purification step, were also treated with an immunoadsorbent, Sepharose-anti-HSV-1 TK immunoglobulin (IgG). Labeled polypeptides eluted from the immunoadsorbent were analyzed by electrophoresis in SDS slab gels and autoradiography. The results demonstrate that the molecular weights of HSV TK polypeptides are about 40,000. TK-negative HSV-1 mutant B2006 failed to induce the 40 K dalton polypeptide.

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The synthesis of vaccinia virus-induced thymidine kinase is normally arrested several hours after infection. In thymidine kinase-deficient LM cells infected with IHD strain of vaccinia virus, arrest occurs whether or not viral DNA synthesis is inhibited. With virus inactivated by UV irradiation, enzyme synthesis takes place, but arrest is abolished. It is suggested that an early viral genetic function is responsible for the cessation of thymidine kinase synthesis.

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