The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) protease is cleaved at two autoprocessing sites during viral maturation, one of which shares amino acid identity with its substrate, ICP35. Similar autoprocessing sites have been observed within other members of the Herpesviridae. Introduction of point mutations within the autoprocessing sites of the HSV-1 protease indicated that specificity resides within the P4-P1' region of the cleavage sites.