Virion proteomics of genetically intact HCMV reveals a regulator of envelope glycoprotein composition that protects against humoral immunity.

ABSTRACT: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a clinically important herpesvirus that has coevolved for millions of years with its human host, and establishes lifelong persistent infection. A substantial proportion of its 235 kb genome is dedicated to manipulating host immunity through targeting antiviral host proteins for degradation or relocalization. Quantitative proteomics of the infected cell has extensively characterized these processes, but the cell-free virion has been less well studied. We therefore carried out proteomic analysis of a clinical HCMV strain (Merlin) virion. This revealed 18 novel components, including the viral protein gpUL141, which is recognized as an NK immune-evasin that targets several host proteins (CD155, CD112, and TRAILR) when expressed within the cell. Coimmunoprecipita

SUBMITTER: Bentley K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12478159 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature