Cellular factors and IE62 activation of VZV promoters

The varicella zoster virus IE62 protein transactivates promoters representing all three kinetic classes of viral genes. This is accomplished in conjunction with the general transcription machinery of the cell and specific cellular transcription factors that act at sites located within viral promoters. The incidence of a subset of specific recognition sites was examined for the ubiquitous cellular factors Sp1 and USF within the VZV genome. Evidence is also presented for a direct physical interaction between Sp1 and IE62.