We constructed three recombinant vectors derived from the herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant tsK, each of which contained a different transgene under the control of the herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate early 3 promoter inserted into the thymidine kinase locus: the prokaryotic enzymes beta-galactosidase and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, and a fusion gene consisting of human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases linked to the last exon of Thy-1, which encodes for a glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol membrane anchor. Infection of postmitotic neocortical and hippocampal neurons in low-density primary cultures with these vectors, achieved reliable expression of all three foreign gene products in various neocortical cell types, e.g. pyramidal neurons, non-pyramidal neurons, and glial cells. The percentage of neurons expressing transgenes ranged from 1 to 46% depending on the multiplicity of infection (highest assayed = 5); the percentage of glial cells expressing transgenes ranged from 0.5 to 98% (highest multiplicity assayed = 3.4). Expression of transgenes could be detected for up to three days in approximately 20% of neurons infected at a multiplicity of infection of 1. Infection of neurons with tk K-derived recombinant vectors inhibited their protein synthesis by 40-50% at a multiplicity of infection of 10, but no effect was observed at a multiplicity of infection of 1. Infection of glial cells with the same vectors at a multiplicity of infection of 1 inhibited protein synthesis by more than 90%. Analysis of neuronal viability at different times post-infection indicated that more than 98% of neurons expressing transgenes 48 h post-infection were viable. Thus, low-density neuronal cultures can be used to assess the efficiency of herpes simplex virus type 1-derived gene transfer vectors and transgene expression in developing cortical postmitotic cells, before and after they establish polarity. In addition, we show that two cytoplasmic enzymes, beta-galactosidase and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, are able to diffuse freely in the cytoplasm reaching even growth cones in young neurons, while the chimeric protein tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases/Thy-1 is correctly targeted to the plasma membrane via a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor. This model system should be useful for investigation of cellular and molecular aspects of the development and establishment of neuronal polarity, as well as for analysis of signals involved in protein targeting in postmitotic neurons.