May participate in nuclear egress of viral particles. Plays a role in the dispersal of several host nucleolar proteins including NCL/nucleolin and NPM1. Since deletion of host NCL/nucleolin negatively impact on nuclear egress, UL24 supposedly acts on this process through its effect on host nucleoli (By similarity). Induces cell cycle arrest in host cells at the G2/M phase following by apoptosis. The mechanism involves the inhibition of host mitotic complex cyclin-B/CDK1. Expressed late in the infection cycle. Belongs to the herpesviridae UL24 family.