A detailed structure of herpesviral virions, both cross-sectioned (central) and intact (top right), reveals the integration of viral glycoproteins (red) into a transparent membrane. Inside the membrane are various viral tegument proteins (gray) along with assimilated host proteins (pink), while the viral tegument protein UL32 is spotlighted in yellow. DNA, which is enclosed by the nucleocapsid (blue), is not illustrated. The depiction credits Yueheng Zhou of Absea Biotechnology.
Herpes viruses are infamous for their enduring nature: once inside the body, they stay forever. They can achieve this permanence by lying dormant in certain body cells. Surprisingly, almost all adults carry at least one of the nine different herpes viruses specific to humans. Triggers like aging, stress, or a compromised immune system may awaken the virus, possibly leading to severe illnesses.
These viruses are remarkably successful because of their unique adaptation to human hosts and their ability to dodge the human immune system. Essential to this evasion are proteins that mislead the host cell into believing that there’s no ongoing threat. For instance, every herpes virus contains a robust proteome, meaning a collection of proteins highly tailored to the host, allowing the virus to replicate swiftly after infection.
This intricate proteome also ensures that multilayered particles are constructed within an infected cell. These newly minted viruses, known as virions, comprise many viral and host proteins, with the viral DNA encased by a nucleocapsid at the center. Surrounding this capsid is a layer of additional proteins called the tegument.
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Viral Particles and Reactivation
The viral particles play a vital role in enabling the virus to replicate and spread throughout the body when reactivated. They are therefore essential to disease outbreak following a long latency period.
There is a significant gap in understanding the internal arrangement of these particles, particularly the interactions among tegument proteins. Therefore, researchers from the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin have delved into an in-depth study of the particles, focusing on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).
HCMV is common and can pose serious risks, particularly to transplant recipients and unborn children infected through the mother. Despite extensive studies, there’s no effective antiviral treatment or vaccine to control or eradicate the virus.
A New Understanding of Protein Interactions
In their recent research, the team, led by Fan Liu (FMP) and Lüder Wiebusch (Charité), constructed the first comprehensive map detailing spatial interactions within HCMV particles between viral and host cell proteins. This included discovering how specific host cell proteins are harnessed by viral proteins for viral replication. An example is the viral protein UL32, which brings a cellular protein into the particle to prevent binding of other undesirable host cell proteins.
According to FMP virologist Boris Bogdanow, this highlights a clever way that HCMV manipulates host cell proteins for efficient replication.
Using cross-linking mass spectrometry, the team studied interactions layer by layer within intact HCMV particles. Fan Liu, a mass spectrometry expert at FMP, emphasized that this method doesn’t only identify the proteins but also shows their interactions.
This groundbreaking technology has never been applied before to map spatial organization within herpesviral particles. Utilizing the collected data, a virtual model of the HCMV particle was created, allowing for vivid visualization of each protein and associated biophysical processes.
Boris Bogdanow stresses that understanding these protein-protein interactions is vital for unraveling HCMV’s complex life cycle and crucial for the development of potential anti-viral medications against HCMV.
Reference: “Spatially resolved protein map of intact human cytomegalovirus virions” by Boris Bogdanow, et al., published on 7 August 2023, in Nature Microbiology.
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01433-8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: herpes virus
What makes herpes viruses so successful in infecting humans?
Herpes viruses are remarkably successful due to their unique adaptation to human hosts and strategies to evade the immune system. They use proteins to deceive the host cell into thinking there’s no threat, and their complex proteome enables them to replicate swiftly after infection.
How do herpes viruses remain in the body for life?
Herpes viruses can remain dormant within certain body cells. Factors like age, stress, or a weakened immune system can reactivate the virus, leading to potentially severe diseases.
What specific virus did the researchers study, and why is it significant?
The researchers focused on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which is common and can be particularly dangerous for transplant recipients and unborn children infected via the mother. Despite intensive research, there’s currently no effective antiviral treatment or vaccine for HCMV.
How did the research team uncover the spatial interactions within HCMV particles?
The team used a technique called cross-linking mass spectrometry, an innovative technology that allowed them to map the spatial organization of interactions within herpesviral particles layer by layer.
What are the potential applications of this research on herpes viruses?
Understanding the protein-protein interactions within the herpes virus, specifically HCMV, is vital for unraveling its complex life cycle. This knowledge is crucial for the development of potential anti-viral medications against HCMV, and it also contributes to the broader understanding of viral mechanisms.
5 comments
This is quite complex to grasp but fascinating. the visualisation of the viral structure and proteins interaction must be groundbreaking in medical field!
So is this virus what people call herpes? or is it something else altogether, I’m confused.
Do we all really carry some type of herpes virus? thats shocking to me. How can we prevent this?
the article is very informative, thank’s for sharing! where can we read more about the reseach on HCMV?
This research sounds amazing but why haven’t we got a cure for herpes yet? i’m no scientist but seems like we should be there by now.