Alphaherpesviruses

Alphaherpesviruses are a fascinating group of DNA viruses that include important human pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) - the causative agents of cold sores, genital ulcerous disease, and chickenpox/shingles, respectively. A key attribute of these viruses is their ability to establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system of the host. Such persistence requires subversion of the host's immune system and intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms of the immune evasion and what triggers viral reactivation is a major challenge for today's researchers. This has prompted enormous research efforts into understanding the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses. This up-to-date and comprehensive study distills the most important research in this area, providing a timely overview of the field. Topics include: transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, translational control, vir