When comparing these DNA binding-deficient mutants to the aggregation-deficient mutants during infection with ICP0-RF virus, the loss of aggregation resulted in a more pronounced rescue of ICP8 protein levels than either of the DNA binding mutants (6.5-fold versus 3.3-fold relative to WT IFI16, respectively), suggesting a more severe loss in IFI16 antiviral activity (Fig. 2B and C). This evidence concerns the gene IFI16 and infection.