Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 (which produces cold sores) and HSV-2 (which produces genital herpes) are ubiquitous and contagious. They can be spread when an infected person is producing and shedding the virus. In the case of a herpes virus, initial interactions occur when a viral envelope glycoprotein called glycoprotein G (gG) binds to a cell surface particle called heparan sulfate. Alternative Names: HSV gG 2 protein, HSV2 gG, HSV2 gG antigen, HSV gG-2 protein, HSV gG 2, Herpes Simplex Virus 2 glycoprotein G protein, HSV-2 gG protein, HSV gG-2