DNA replication of herpesviruses during the lytic phase of their life-cycles.

We have two goals in this review: the first is to relate what has been learned about DNA replication from the study primarily of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1); the second is to note briefly facets of this virus's mode of DNA replication that might serve as points of intervention for novel chemotherapeutic approaches in order to deal with primary and recurrent herpesvirus infections in man and animals. For the first goal we shall both summarize what has been learned and attempt to identify directions that may be pursued in order to further our understanding of DNA replication by herpesviruses. For the second goal we shall propose two schemes for the screening for drugs that might interfere uniquely with the DNA replication of this family of viruses.