Construction of BHV-1 UL41 Defective Virus Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System and Analysis of Viral Replication Properties.

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) is a neurotropic herpesvirus that causes infectious rhinotracheitis and vulvovaginitis in cattle. The virion host shutoff protein encoded by the BHV-1 gene is highly conserved in the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. This protein can degrade viral and host messenger RNA (mRNA) to interrupt host defense and facilitate the rapid proliferation of BHV-1.