Herpes simplex virus type 1 lifecycle (HSV-1 lifecycle)

The Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) lifecycle represents the coordinated series of biological events required for the virus to infect a host cell, replicate its genome, and produce infectious progeny. The process begins with viral attachment to host cell surface receptors, such as heparan sulfate and nectin-1, followed by membrane fusion and the delivery of the viral nucleocapsid to the nucleus (StatPearls, 2023). Once inside the nucleus, the viral genome undergoes a cascade of gene expression—categorized into immediate-early, early, and late phases—culminating in DNA replication facilitated by the viral DNA polymerase complex (NIH, 2022). New virions are assembled in the nucleus, bud through the nuclear membrane, and are eventually released from the cell via exocytosis to infect adjacent cells. This lifecycle is the fundamental target for antiviral therapies; most clinical agents, such as acyclovir, act as nucleoside analogs that selectively terminate viral DNA chain elongation (PubMed, 2021). While current drugs effectively manage active replication and symptoms, the ability of the virus to establish lifelong latency in sensory ganglia remains a significant therapeutic challenge as these drugs do not eliminate the latent viral reservoir.

Other names

HSV-1 replication cycleHerpes simplex virus 1 infection cycleHSV-1 viral cycleHuman alphaherpesvirus 1 lifecycle

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase (nucleoside analogs and pyrophosphate analogs), inhibition of the helicase-primase complex, and prevention of viral entry through fusion inhibition.