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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Published on: August 24, 2015
Molecular requirement for sterols in herpes simplex virus entry and infectivity
George A Wudiri1, Suzanne M Pritchard2, Hong Li3
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Abstract:
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) required cholesterol or desmosterol for virion-induced membrane fusion. HSV successfully entered DHCR24(-/-) cells, which lack a desmosterol-to-cholesterol conversion enzyme, indicating that entry can occur independently of cholesterol. Depletion of desmosterol from these cells resulted in diminished HSV-1 entry, suggesting a general sterol requirement for HSV-1 entry and that desmosterol can operate in virus entry. Cholesterol functioned more effectively than desmosterol, suggesting that the hydrocarbon tail of cholesterol influences viral entry.
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