My primary research interests are focused on the molecular biology and pathogenesis of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Specifically, I seek to define the molecular mechanisms that control attachment and penetration of these viruses into susceptible cells (including cells of neuronal origin for HSV), their ability to replicate and spread from cell to cell, and the role of membrane fusion events in intracellular virion transport and egress. Our experimental approach utilizes advanced molecular biology, molecular genetics and cell biology. Briefly, mutant herpesviruses deficient in a particular function are isolated through generalized mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis or genetically engineered with deletions in certain genes. These engineered viruses are studied to learn about the role of specific virus encoded proteins in host cell attachment, penetration, virus induced cell fusion virion assembly and egress. Mutations are mapped on the viral genomes in marker-rescue and mar ker transfer experiments and they are elucidated by direct DNA sequencing. To analyze the role of specific viral genes in virus penetration and virus-induced cell fusion these genes are expressed in transient, eukaryotic expression systems and the expressed proteins are detected using specific monoclonal antibodies produced in my laboratory. In addition, monoclonal and monospecific sera against viral proteins are utilized to locate their target proteins in infected cells and to analyze their structure and function.
A second major interest of my laboratory is the molecular biology and pathogenesis of human and bovine coronaviruses. Currently, automated DNA sequencing is used to complete the nucleotide sequence of virulent and avirulent bovine coronaviruses, and to determine the role of bovine coronavirus quasispecies in viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, specific experimentation is targeted toward understanding the role of transcription and recombination in the generation of quasispecies and the evolution of pathogenic strains.
Other interests include: the use of herpesviruses and coronaviruses for cancer therapy, the application of DNA based methods for the diagnosis of infectious disease pathogens and genetic diseases of humans and animals, biophysical and genetic approaches to analyze the structure and function of proteins, and the utilization of computers for biological research and teaching.
Foster, T. P., G. V. Rubachuck, and K. G. Kousoulas. 1998. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescence protein by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) as an in vitro or in vivo marker for virus entry and replication. J. Virol. Meth. 75:151-160.
Moreau, J. D., D. G. Satterlee, J. J. Rejman, G. G. Cadd, K. G. Kousoulas, and W. C. Fioretti. 1998. Active immunization of Japanese quail hens with a recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein enhances production performance. Poultry Science. 77:894-901.
Baghian, A., C. V. Reyes, A. Mendoza, T. N. Tully, Jr., and K. G. Kousoulas. 1999. Production of a rabbit anti-cockatiel immunoglobulin G and characterization of its cross-reactivities with immunoglobulin G of other psittacine species. Avian Dis. 43:48-54.
Foster, T. P., V. N. Chouljenko, and K. G. Kousoulas. 1999. Functional characterization of the HveA homolog specified by African green monkey kidney cells through the use of a herpes simplex virus expressing the green fluorescence protein. Virology 258:365-374.
Foster, T. P., and K. G. Kousoulas. 1999. Genetic analysis of the role of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) glycoprotein K in infectious virus production and egress. J. Virol. (October, In Press).