– Single-stranded DNA-binding protein that participates in viral DNA replication, formation of concatemers, recombination and repair of double-stranded breaks. Coats the lagging-strand ssDNA as the replication fork advances and stimulates the activities of viral DNA polymerase and primase/helicase. Coordinates simultaneous synthesis of leading- and lagging-strands. Together with DNA primase/helicase, promotes pairing of two homologous DNA molecules containing complementary single-stranded regions and mediates homologous DNA strand exchange. Promotes also the formation of joint molecules. Disrupts loops, hairpins and other secondary structures present on ssDNA to reduce and eliminate pausing of viral DNA polymerase at specific sites during elongation.