Herpes simplex virus helicase-primase subunit UL8 (UL8)

The UL8 accessory subunit is an essential component of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) heterotrimeric helicase-primase complex, which also includes the UL5 helicase and UL52 primase subunits (UniProt P10236). While UL8 lacks independent enzymatic activity, it plays a critical role in viral DNA replication by facilitating the nuclear import of the UL5/UL52 subcomplex and enhancing the efficiency of primer utilization during lagging-strand synthesis (PubMed: 11836371). It acts as a scaffold that coordinates the interaction between the helicase-primase complex and other replication proteins, such as the viral polymerase and the single-stranded DNA-binding protein ICP8 (PubMed: 15140983). Because the helicase-primase complex is vital for viral genome replication and has no direct human homolog, it is a highly validated therapeutic target. Drugs like Pritelivir and Amenamevir target this complex, offering a potent alternative to traditional nucleoside analogs by inhibiting the enzymatic activity and stabilizing the complex on DNA to stall replication (PubMed: 24350651).

Other names

UL8 accessory proteinHSV-1 UL8 proteinHelicase-primase complex subunit UL8UL8 subunit

Inhibition of the helicase-primase complex by stabilizing the complex on DNA, thereby preventing the progression of the replication fork and inhibiting viral DNA synthesis.