HSV-1 (HHV-1) Research Reagents — Antibodies, Recombinant Proteins & ELISA Kits

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, also designated HHV-1) is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA alphaherpesvirus (~152 kb genome) that infects an estimated 3.7 billion people globally. HSV-1 primarily causes orolabial herpes (cold sores) and is the leading cause of infectious corneal blindness (herpes simplex keratitis) and sporadic viral encephalitis (HSE). Like all alphaherpesviruses, HSV-1 establishes lifelong latency in trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia with periodic reactivation. The virion encodes at least 12 envelope glycoproteins — of which gD (primary receptor-binding protein via HVEM/nectin-1), gB (class III fusogen), gH/gL (fusion trigger), and gC (complement evasion/GAG attachment) are the major targets for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine development. Type-specific glycoprotein G (gG-1/US4) is the standard serological marker for distinguishing HSV-1 from HSV-2 infection.

Research Use OnlyNot for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

abinScience offers a comprehensive HSV-1/HHV-1 reagent portfolio covering seven envelope glycoproteins (gD, gB, gE, gH, gL, gC, gI), type-specific gG, capsid and tegument proteins (ICP0, TRX1, TRX2, UL21), plus ELISA kits for gD, gB, gE, gC, and gG — including InVivoMAb neutralizing antibodies, recombinant proteins in multiple tag formats, and polyclonal detection antibodies. Cross-reactive anti-HSV gD nanobodies and anti-gB antibodies (reactive with both HSV-1 and HSV-2) are also available. Manufactured by AtaGenix Laboratories (ISO 9001 & ISO 13485). Contact us for antibody pairs and bulk orders.

Key Research Targets

Glycoprotein D (gD/US6) — Primary Receptor-Binding Protein
gD binds HVEM and nectin-1 to trigger viral entry and is the leading HSV vaccine antigen (GSK's gD2 subunit vaccine, Herpevac). gD elicits potent neutralizing antibodies and is the primary target for therapeutic antibody development. Available: InVivoMAb neutralizing antibodies Iv0044 (VK413010) and Fv1007 (VK413020); recombinant gD proteins in three formats (C-His VK413011, N-His VK413012, N-GST&C-His VK413032); anti-gD pAb (VK413014); and gD ELISA Kit (VK413018). Cross-reactive anti-HSV gD nanobodies (SAA2253, SAA2254) and recombinant antibody E317 (VK413013) react with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 gD.

Glycoprotein B (gB) — Class III Fusogen
gB is the conserved herpesvirus fusogen essential for viral entry and cell-to-cell spread. Anti-gB antibodies block post-attachment membrane fusion. Available: InVivoMAb antibodies Iv0045 (VK520010) and Fv1025 (VK520020); recombinant gB proteins (C-Strep VK520011, N-His VK520012); and gB ELISA Kit (VK520018). Cross-reactive anti-HSV gB antibodies and nanobodies (SAA2381, Nb1_gbHSV, SAA2517) are available for pan-HSV studies.

Glycoprotein E (gE) — Fc Receptor & Cell-to-Cell Spread
gE forms a heterodimer with gI and functions as a viral Fc receptor (FcγR), enabling antibody-mediated immune evasion. gE is also required for efficient anterograde axonal transport and cell-to-cell spread. Available: InVivoMAb anti-gE Iv0046 (VK746010); recombinant gE proteins (C-His VK746011, N-His VK746012); anti-gE pAb (VK746014); and gE ELISA Kit (VK746018).

gH/gL — Fusion Trigger Complex
gH/gL is the heterodimeric fusion-triggering complex that activates gB conformational change upon gD-receptor engagement. Available: gH recombinant proteins (C-Fc VK081011, N-His VK081012), anti-gH pAb (VK081014); gL recombinant protein (N-His VK080012) and anti-gL pAb (VK080014).

Glycoprotein G (gG/US4) — Type-Specific Serological Marker
gG-1 is the standard antigen for distinguishing HSV-1 from HSV-2 infection in serological assays (CDC-recommended type-specific serology). Available: recombinant gG proteins (N-GST VK624012, N-GST VK624022); monoclonal antibody 1A074 (VK624025); polyclonal antibodies (VK624014, VK624024); and gG ELISA Kit (VK624018).

gC, gI & Intracellular Proteins
• gC (complement evasion, GAG binding): recombinant protein C-His (VK695011) and gC ELISA Kit (VK695018)
• gI (gE/gI Fc receptor complex partner): recombinant protein N-His (VK082012) and anti-gI pAb (VK082014)
• ICP0 (immediate-early E3 ubiquitin ligase, key latency regulator): recombinant protein N-His (VK083012) and anti-ICP0 pAb (VK083014)
• TRX1/UL38 (anti-apoptotic tegument protein): protein (VK751012) and pAb (VK751014)
• TRX2/UL18 (capsid triplex subunit): protein (VK438012) and pAb (VK438014)
• UL21 (tegument protein, neuronal transport): protein (VK679012) and pAb (VK679014)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which antibodies are recommended for HSV-1 neutralization assays?
For gD-mediated entry blockade: InVivoMAb Iv0044 (VK413010) blocks HVEM/nectin-1 binding. For gB-mediated fusion blockade: InVivoMAb Iv0045 (VK520010). Combining anti-gD + anti-gB provides synergistic neutralization. For in vivo studies, all InVivoMAb antibodies are produced under low-endotoxin, azide-free conditions.

How do I distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2 serologically?
Use type-specific glycoprotein G (gG) antigens. HSV-1 gG-1 (VK624012) and our gG-1 ELISA Kit (VK624018) detect HSV-1-specific IgG. For HSV-2, see our HSV-2 page for gG-2 reagents. Other glycoproteins (gD, gB) show significant cross-reactivity between HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Do your anti-HSV nanobodies and antibodies cross-react with both HSV types?
Yes. Anti-gD nanobodies SAA2253 and SAA2254, anti-gD recombinant antibody E317, and anti-gB nanobodies (Nb1_gbHSV, SAA2517) are designed to recognize conserved epitopes shared by HSV-1 and HSV-2. For type-specific detection, use the gG monoclonal antibody 1A074 (VK624025) or type-specific polyclonal antibodies.

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HSV-1 (HHV-1) ✓ HSV-2 (HHV-2) VZV (HHV-3) EBV (HHV-4) CMV (HHV-5) Pseudorabies (PRV)