Mechanisms of HSV-1 helicase-primase inhibition and replication fork complex assembly

Herpesviruses are widespread double-stranded DNA viruses that establish lifelong latency and cause various diseases. Although DNA-polymerase-targeting antivirals are effective, increasing drug resistance underscores the need for alternatives. Helicase-primase inhibitors (HPIs) are promising antivirals, but their mechanisms of action are poorly defined. Furthermore, how the helicase-primase (H/P) complex and DNA polymerase coordinate genome replication is not well understood for herpesviruses. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the herpes simplex virus 1 H/P complex bound to HPIs, showing that these lock the H/P complex in an inactive state. Single-molecule assays reveal that HPIs cause H/P complexes to pause in unwinding activity on DNA. The structure of an HPI-bound replication fork complex, comprising the H/P complex (UL5, UL52, and UL8) and the polymerase holoenzyme (UL30 and UL42), reveals a previously uncharacterized interface bridging these complexes. These findings provide a structural framework for understanding herpesvirus replisome assembly and advancing inhibitor development.