Herpes simplex virus type 1 virion (HSV-1 virion)

The Herpes simplex virus type 1 virion is the mature and infectious form of HSV-1, a member of the Herpesviridae family of double-stranded DNA viruses. The virion is roughly spherical with a diameter typically between 150–225 nm, characterized by a four-layered architecture: an outer lipid envelope containing viral glycoproteins, a proteinaceous tegument layer, an icosahedral capsid made of viral proteins (notably VP5), and an inner linear double-stranded DNA genome of approximately 152 kb. The envelope is derived from the host cell but modified with viral proteins to mediate host cell entry and immune evasion. The tegument contains numerous viral and host proteins as well as transcripts, contributing to viral replication and immune modulation. The HSV-1 virion is responsible for infection of epithelial and neuronal cells, establishing both lytic and latent cycles, and causing a range of diseases, from oral herpes and keratitis to potentially fatal encephalitis in rare cases. Antiviral drugs targeting HSV-1 typically inhibit viral DNA polymerase or prevent virion entry, but the complete virion is not itself a single actionable therapeutic target; rather, it comprises multiple molecular targets within its structure[1][2][3][5][6][8].

Other names

Herpes simplex virus 1 virionHSV1 virionHerpes simplex virus type 1 particleHSV-1 particle

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, penciclovir, foscarnet), Inhibition of viral entry/fusion (e.g., docosanol)