TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of the Early Steps of Herpes Simplex Virus Replication in Interferon-Treated Human Cells
AU - Oberman, Froma
AU - Panet, Amos
PY - 1989/10
Y1 - 1989/10
N2 - Interferon (IFN) was shown to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication at the transcription of the immediate early (α) genes. This apparent inhibition could be due to a direct effect on viral transcription or on one of the preceding steps of infection, i.e., penetration and uncoating. In the present study, we analyze the effects of IFN on the very early steps of HSV-1 infection in HEp-2 human cells. Analysis of the parental HSV-1 viral DNA accumulated in the infected cell nuclei indicated that viral DNA penetration, migration to the nuclei, and stability were not affected by IFN treatment. To analyze the effect of IFN on the uncoating of the parental HSV-1 DNA following infection, we developed a technique based on DNase I sensitivity of the infecting viral DNA genome. Within 1 h of infection, the parental viral DNA became sensitive to DNase I digestion. HSV-1 DNA in the nuclei of both control and IFN-treated cells was equally sensitive to DNase I digestion, suggesting that IFN's mode of action was unrelated to the uncoating of HSV-1 virions. Because IFN does not affect the events in the HSV-1 lytic cycle prior to the onset of the immediate-early gene transcription, it appears that IFN exerts a direct effect on this process.
AB - Interferon (IFN) was shown to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication at the transcription of the immediate early (α) genes. This apparent inhibition could be due to a direct effect on viral transcription or on one of the preceding steps of infection, i.e., penetration and uncoating. In the present study, we analyze the effects of IFN on the very early steps of HSV-1 infection in HEp-2 human cells. Analysis of the parental HSV-1 viral DNA accumulated in the infected cell nuclei indicated that viral DNA penetration, migration to the nuclei, and stability were not affected by IFN treatment. To analyze the effect of IFN on the uncoating of the parental HSV-1 DNA following infection, we developed a technique based on DNase I sensitivity of the infecting viral DNA genome. Within 1 h of infection, the parental viral DNA became sensitive to DNase I digestion. HSV-1 DNA in the nuclei of both control and IFN-treated cells was equally sensitive to DNase I digestion, suggesting that IFN's mode of action was unrelated to the uncoating of HSV-1 virions. Because IFN does not affect the events in the HSV-1 lytic cycle prior to the onset of the immediate-early gene transcription, it appears that IFN exerts a direct effect on this process.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0024952683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/jir.1989.9.563
DO - 10.1089/jir.1989.9.563
M3 - Article
C2 - 2477472
AN - SCOPUS:0024952683
SN - 0197-8357
VL - 9
SP - 563
EP - 571
JO - Journal of Interferon Research
JF - Journal of Interferon Research
IS - 5
ER -