DNA replication in alphaherpesviruses has been the subject of study in bursts over the years. Interest in the subject depends not just on simple curiosity about this central feature of the viral growth cycle, but also because DNA replication is a potentially useful target for antiviral therapy, as has already been shown with agents such as acyclovir. The viral contributions to the mechanism of genome replication are quite well understood but we still are unable to duplicate the in vivo situation in an in vitro assay. Much of the recent interesting work involves the host cell’s contribution to the process, and this seems likely to remain a focus for the future.
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