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Simian TRIM5alpha proteins reduce replication of herpes simplex virus

Natalia Reszka1, Changhong Zhou, Byeongwoon Song

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Virology
|January 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Certain simian TRIM5alpha proteins restrict herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication. Rhesus macaque TRIM5alpha shows strong inhibition, but HSV may evade this antiviral defense by lowering TRIM5alpha levels.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Old World monkey TRIM5alpha proteins are recognized for their species-specific restriction of retroviral replication, including human immunodeficiency virus.
  • The broader antiviral capabilities of TRIM5alpha beyond retroviruses remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of simian TRIM5alpha proteins to restrict herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
  • To define the specific TRIM5alpha orthologs and viral strains affected by this restriction.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized HeLa cell lines engineered for stable expression of various simian and human TRIM5alpha proteins.
  • Assessed the impact of TRIM5alpha expression on HSV replication dynamics and viral strain specificity.

Main Results:

  • Several simian TRIM5alpha proteins demonstrated significant restriction of HSV replication.
  • The TRIM5alpha protein from rhesus macaques exhibited the most potent inhibition of HSV infection.
  • The degree of viral replication inhibition was dependent on the specific HSV strain.
  • TRIM5alpha appears to inhibit HSV during early infection stages, with levels decreasing later in the replication cycle.

Conclusions:

  • Simian TRIM5alpha proteins possess antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, extending their known function beyond retroviruses.
  • Herpes simplex virus may counteract TRIM5alpha restriction by downregulating its levels during later infection phases.
  • TRIM5alpha contributes to the inherent resistance of rhesus macaques to HSV, though it is not the sole factor.

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