Tegument protein that can bind to various RNA transcripts. Plays a role in the attenuation of selective viral and cellular mRNA degradation by modulating the activity of host shutoff RNase ORF17/VHS. Also plays a role in the primary envelopement of virions in the perinuclear space, probably by interacting with two nuclear egress proteins ORF24 and ORF27. Interacts with US3 kinase. Interacts with ORF24 and ORF27; these interactions seem important for efficient virion nuclear egress. Interacts with ORF17/VHS. Interacts with ORF9. Major tegument protein of the virion. Undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling during infection. Localizes to the major sites of transcription in the infected cell nucleus. The nuclear export signal is CRM1-dependent. Phosphorylated by US3. This phosphorylation is required for proper nuclear localization. Expressed in late in the infection. Belongs to the alphaherpesvirinae HHV-1 UL47 family.