9-(4-Hydroxybutyl)guanine was synthesized and tested for antiherpes activity. In cell cultures, different strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2(HSV-2) were inhibited by 50% at 2-14 microM of 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine, while a HSV-1 mutant lacking thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK-) was resistant. Linear competitive inhibition of purified HSV-1-induced thymidine kinase (TK) with thymidine as a variable substrate was observed for 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine with an apparent Ki value of 2.06 microM while the corresponding Ki value for the cellular TK was greater than 250 microM. By using high performance liquid chromatography, the formation of 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine monophosphate by HSV-1 TK was measured and the rate of product formation was found to be about 10% of that found by using thymidine as a substrate. A selective inhibition of HSV-1 DNA synthesis by 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine was observed in infected Vero cells. 9-(4-Hydroxybutyl)guanine had a low cellular toxicity. A weak therapeutic effect on herpes keratitis in rabbits was observed whereas cutaneous HSV-1 infection in guinea pigs and systemic HSV-2 infection in mice were not affected by this compound.