Compositions and methods for identifying and testing therapeutics against HSV infection

The invention provides compositions a methods of identifying and testing therapeutics against HSV infection, and in particular, compositions comprising receptors which enable cell specific entry of HSV. The invention also provides a novel DNA sequence that encodes a protein B5T74 that confers the ability of herpes simplex virus (HSV) to infect and replicate in otherwise non-permissive cells. Also provided are vectors comprising the isolated nucleic acids encoding HSV receptors in host suitable for expression of the nucleic acids encoding the HSV receptors, fragments of the HSV receptors, or homologs of the HSV receptor. Further provided is a porcine cell system which expresses a herpes simplex virus receptor, but does not express endogenous, HSV entry receptors.