Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. The survival of all organisms including viruses depends on their ability to produce an exact copy of their genetic material. The DNA replication machinery (replisome) functions as a complex association of proteins that must be tightly regulated in order to accomplish faithful and complete DNA replication. Our previous work has led to the identification and characterization of seven HSV replication proteins as well as the compartments in the cell in which DNA replication occurs; however, the mechanisms by which they function during DNA replication are poorly understood. Recent experiments by us and our collaborators suggest that the assembly and function of the HSV-1 replisome is tightly regulated by protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions that we are only now beginning to appreciate. Our central hypothesis is that protein-protein interactions among viral replication proteins are essential for all stages of genome replication. We will examine the roles of specific interactions in the formation of prereplicative sites and replication compartments, initiation of DNA synthesis at viral origins of replication, processive unwinding of the duplex DNA in front of the replication fork and the coordinated regulation of leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis. HSV dramatically reorganizes the infected cell nucleus leading to the formation of large globular replication compartments in which gene expression, DNA replication and encapsidation occur. Although it has long been recognized that ICP8 is required, little is known about how ICP8 exerts its effects on the nuclear architecture.
In aim 1 we will use a combination of genetic, biochemical, biophysical and cell biological methods to test the hypothesis that dynamic properties of ICP8 and its ability to assemble into small subassemblies and filaments drive the formation of prereplicative sites and replication compartments. ICP8 and the origin binding protein UL9 are known to work together to unwind the origins during the initiation of DNA synthesis; however, difficulties in reconstituting origin dependent DNA synthesis in vitro have prevented a thorough understanding of the process.
In aim 2 we will test the hypothesis that protein-protein and protein-DNA Interactions are essential for origin dependent initiation of viral DNA synthesis. We will use genetic and biochemical approaches to identify the regions of UL9 and ICP8 that are important for various steps in origin unwinding.
In aim 3 we use a newly developed assay for coordinated leading and lagging strand synthesis to test the hypothesis that interactions between the HSV helicase/primase and polymerase are required for coordinated leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis.

Public Health Relevance

Replication of DNA genomes is a highly coordinated process that guarantees accurate and efficient inheritance of genetic information. This proposal is expected to provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in HSV DNA replication and its regulation and may also lead to the development of novel antiviral strategies important for controlling herpes infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI021747-32
Application #
9172226
Study Section
Virology - A Study Section (VIRA)
Program Officer
Natarajan, Ramya
Project Start
1984-12-01
Project End
2018-11-30
Budget Start
2016-12-01
Budget End
2017-11-30
Support Year
32
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
022254226
City
Farmington
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06032
Grady, Lorry M; Szczepaniak, Renata; Murelli, Ryan P et al. (2017) The exonuclease activity of HSV-1 UL12 is required for the production of viral DNA that can be packaged to produce infectious virus. J Virol :
Bermek, Oya; Weller, Sandra K; Griffith, Jack D (2017) The UL8 subunit of the helicase-primase complex of herpes simplex virus promotes DNA annealing and has a high affinity for replication forks. J Biol Chem 292:15611-15621
Darwish, Anthar S; Grady, Lorry M; Bai, Ping et al. (2016) ICP8 Filament Formation Is Essential for Replication Compartment Formation during Herpes Simplex Virus Infection. J Virol 90:2561-70
Lou, Dianne I; Kim, Eui Tae; Meyerson, Nicholas R et al. (2016) An Intrinsically Disordered Region of the DNA Repair Protein Nbs1 Is a Species-Specific Barrier to Herpes Simplex Virus 1 in Primates. Cell Host Microbe 20:178-88
Smith, Samantha; Weller, Sandra K (2015) HSV-I and the cellular DNA damage response. Future Virol 10:383-397
Mossman, Karen L; Weller, Sandra K (2015) HSV cheats the executioner. Cell Host Microbe 17:148-51
Pozhidaeva, Alexandra K; Mohni, Kareem N; Dhe-Paganon, Sirano et al. (2015) Structural Characterization of Interaction between Human Ubiquitin-specific Protease 7 and Immediate-Early Protein ICP0 of Herpes Simplex Virus-1. J Biol Chem 290:22907-18
Smith, Samantha; Reuven, Nina; Mohni, Kareem N et al. (2014) Structure of the herpes simplex virus 1 genome: manipulation of nicks and gaps can abrogate infectivity and alter the cellular DNA damage response. J Virol 88:10146-56
Weller, Sandra K; Sawitzke, James A (2014) Recombination promoted by DNA viruses: phage ? to herpes simplex virus. Annu Rev Microbiol 68:237-58
Grady, Lorry M; Bai, Ping; Weller, Sandra K (2014) HSV-1 protein expression using recombinant baculoviruses. Methods Mol Biol 1144:293-304

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