Electron microscopic studies on assembly of herpes simplex virus upon removal of hydroxyurea block.

The release of hydroxyurea-treated, herpes simplex virus-infected cells from the drug-induced block resulted in the prompt assembly of infectious virus. Electron microscope observations at sequential intervals following removal of the drug revealed considerable synchrony of replication. This synchrony permitted stages in the complex process of core assembly to be examined in detail. The data suggest that after partial or complete assembly the nucleoprotein enters the differentiated capsid to become enfolded.