Analysis of the Gene Expression and Reactivation Mechanisms in Herpes Simplex Virus

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07511
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49060:Virology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Maruzuru Yuhei 東京大学, 医科学研究所, 助教 (50825750)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: HSV-1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has more than 100 different genes, which can be categorized into three major classes-immediate early, early, and late-whose expressions are regulated coordinately and ordered sequentially in a cascade fashion. However, much remains unclear regarding the mechanisms underlying this gene expression cascade. Our previous single-cell sequencing analyses of HSV-infected cells suggested that specific intracellular metal ions are involved in the regulated viral gene expression. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the role of these metal ions in HSV gene expression and reactivation. The results obtained in this study indicated that these ions contribute to regulated HSV gene expression by controlling the function of a viral transcription factor.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

申請者の研究対象である単純ヘルペスウイルス(HSV)は代表的なDNAウイルスであり、ヒトに脳炎、性器ヘルペス、皮膚疾患、眼疾患など、多様な病態を引き起こす。アシクロビルが開発された今日においても、脳炎患者の70%は社会復帰できないか死亡する。本研究では特定の細胞内金属イオンがウイルス転写因子の機能を活性化することにより、HSV遺伝子発現移行に寄与することを明らかにした。従って、本研究成果はこの遺伝子発現機構をターゲットとした新たなHSV感染症の治療法の確立に繋がる可能性がある。