Thymidine kinase has only one function, which is to catalyze the phosphorylation of deoxythymidine (dT) to dTMP, and also to phosphorylate dTMP to make dTDP. dTDP continues on a phosphorylation pathway resulting in HSV-1.

Not much is known about this pathway, but these two reactions were found to be similar (Wild, 1997). The reaction of dT FdTMP forms an ester, which needs a glutamic acid residue to assist it. The reaction of dTMPFdTDP forms an anhydride, and needs an arginine residue to assist it. These reactions will be explained as one reaction because they are similar (Wild, 1997).

The goal of working with tk is to develop aniviral drugs against HSV-1, and related diseases such as HSV-2, HIV (AIDS), and cancer.

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