Divergent Effects of Human Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 on Cellular Metabolism
2011

Divergent Effects of Human Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 on Cellular Metabolism

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Author Information

Author(s): Vastag Livia, Koyuncu Emre, Grady Sarah L., Shenk Thomas E., Rabinowitz Joshua D.

Primary Institution: Princeton University

Hypothesis

How do human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) affect the metabolism of host cells?

Conclusion

HCMV and HSV-1 induce distinct metabolic changes in host cells, with HCMV enhancing glycolytic flux and HSV-1 redirecting metabolism towards pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis.

Supporting Evidence

  • HCMV infection increases glycolytic flux and TCA cycle activity.
  • HSV-1 infection redirects metabolism towards pyrimidine biosynthesis.
  • Both viruses trigger significant metabolic changes in host cells.

Takeaway

Two viruses, HCMV and HSV-1, change how cells make energy and building blocks, but they do it in very different ways.

Methodology

Mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolic changes in fibroblast and epithelial host cells infected with HCMV and HSV-1.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on single virus-host cell pairs and used transformed cell lines, which may not fully represent natural infections.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.02 for glucose uptake, p=0.0006 for lactate excretion in HCMV-infected cells

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1002124

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