Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Upregulates p35, Alters CDK-5 Localization, and Stimulates CDK-5 Kinase Activity during Acute Infection in Neurons

The cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK-5) activating protein, p35, is important for acute herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) replication in mice. This report shows that HSV-1 increases p35 levels, changes the primary localization of CDK-5 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and enhances CDK-5 activity during lytic or acute infection. Infected neurons also stained positive for the DNA damage response (DDR) marker γH2AX. We propose that CDK-5 is activated by the DDR to protect infected neurons from apoptosis.