Nonencapsidated infectious DNA of adeno-satellite virus in cells coinfected with herpesvirus.

Adeno-associated satellite viruses produce antigen detectable by immunofluorescence but not infectious virus in tissue culture cells coinfected with herpes simplex virus. Analysis of DNA extracts from these infected cells shows that large amounts of infectious satellite virus DNA are produced but not encapsidated in the system. This result indicates that satellite virus may be defective at the maturation step.