Herpesvirus replication

Herpesvirus replication is the coordinated series of molecular events by which viruses in the Herpesviridae family, such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), replicate their genetic material and produce new infectious particles within a host cell (StatPearls, NBK482332). This process begins with viral entry and the transport of the viral genome to the nucleus, followed by the sequential expression of immediate-early, early, and late genes. The early genes primarily encode enzymes essential for DNA replication, such as the viral DNA polymerase and helicase-primase complex, which are the primary targets for most current antiviral therapies (NIH, NBK47444). Drugs like acyclovir and ganciclovir act as nucleoside analogs that, once phosphorylated by viral kinases, competitively inhibit the viral DNA polymerase and cause premature DNA chain termination (PubChem, CID 135398513). Modern therapeutics also target the viral terminase complex, which is essential for packaging DNA into capsids, providing options for treating resistant strains (FDA, Prevymis Label). Effective inhibition of these replication steps is crucial for managing chronic and acute herpesvirus infections, although challenges such as nephrotoxicity and the emergence of drug-resistant strains remain significant clinical concerns (NCBI, PMC3509683).

Other names

Viral DNA synthesisHerpesvirus lytic cycleHerpesvirus genome replicationHerpesvirus DNA replication

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, competitive inhibition of deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP), viral DNA chain termination, inhibition of viral terminase complex, and inhibition of viral helicase-primase complex.