Thymidine kinase (herpes simplex virus) (TK)

Thymidine kinase (TK) from herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a viral enzyme that phosphorylates thymidine and other nucleoside analogs. It is crucial for viral DNA replication, especially in non-dividing cells. HSV TK's broad substrate specificity enables the selective activation of antiviral prodrugs within infected cells and is exploited in suicide gene therapy to selectively kill cancer cells.

Other names

HSV TKHSV-1 Thymidine kinaseViral Thymidine Kinase

Phosphorylation of nucleoside analogs, leading to chain termination and inhibition of viral DNA synthesis after further phosphorylation by cellular kinases. In gene therapy, phosphorylation of prodrugs leads to targeted cell death.