Glycoprotein K specified by herpes simplex virus type 1 is expressed on virions as a Golgi complex-dependent glycosylated species and functions in virion entry

To facilitate detection of glycoprotein K (gK) specified by herpes simplex virus, a 12-amino-acid epitope tag was inserted within gK domain III. Recombinant virus gKprotC-DIII, expressing the tagged gK, was isolated. This virus formed wild-type plaques and replicated as efficiently as the wild-type KOS virus in Vero cells. Anti-protein C MAb detected high-mannose and Golgi complex-dependent glycosylated gK within cells as well as on purified virions. The gK-null virus Delta gK (gK(-/-)) entered Vero cells substantially more slowly than the wild-type KOS (gK(+/+)), while Delta gK virus grown in complementing VK302 cells (gK(-/+)) entered with entry kinetics similar to those of the KOS virus.