SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a commonly infected double-stranded DNA virus of the β-herpesviridae subfamily that typically establishes lifelong latency or persistent infection following primary infection. The regulation of HCMV latency and reactivation is governed by the chromatin structure at th...

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Main Authors: Sisi Xia, Xiaoping Huo, Nanfang Liu, Xinyu Liu, Tianyou Wang, Muyi Guo, Chi Zeng, Pin Wan, Jun Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-07-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013344
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author Sisi Xia
Xiaoping Huo
Nanfang Liu
Xinyu Liu
Tianyou Wang
Muyi Guo
Chi Zeng
Pin Wan
Jun Chen
author_facet Sisi Xia
Xiaoping Huo
Nanfang Liu
Xinyu Liu
Tianyou Wang
Muyi Guo
Chi Zeng
Pin Wan
Jun Chen
author_sort Sisi Xia
collection DOAJ
description Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a commonly infected double-stranded DNA virus of the β-herpesviridae subfamily that typically establishes lifelong latency or persistent infection following primary infection. The regulation of HCMV latency and reactivation is governed by the chromatin structure at the viral major immediate early promoter (MIEP) within myeloid cells. Both cellular and viral factors play a role in regulating the reactivation of latent HCMV. Recently, it has been found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) promotes HCMV reactivation in the clinic; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a can activate HCMV MIEP by interacting with Yin Yang 1 (YY1), an inhibitor of MIEP. This interaction leads to YY1 ubiquitin-dependent degradation and subsequently promotes the reactivation of latent HCMV, as well as the replication and proliferation of the virus. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and HCMV during co-infection, providing a new theoretical basis for future prevention and treatment strategies against the co-infection of these two viruses.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1553-7366
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language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS Pathogens
spelling doaj-art-13bd476333a44113a10dbd296a3cb3de2025-08-20T03:36:15ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Pathogens1553-73661553-73742025-07-01217e101334410.1371/journal.ppat.1013344SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.Sisi XiaXiaoping HuoNanfang LiuXinyu LiuTianyou WangMuyi GuoChi ZengPin WanJun ChenHuman Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a commonly infected double-stranded DNA virus of the β-herpesviridae subfamily that typically establishes lifelong latency or persistent infection following primary infection. The regulation of HCMV latency and reactivation is governed by the chromatin structure at the viral major immediate early promoter (MIEP) within myeloid cells. Both cellular and viral factors play a role in regulating the reactivation of latent HCMV. Recently, it has been found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) promotes HCMV reactivation in the clinic; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a can activate HCMV MIEP by interacting with Yin Yang 1 (YY1), an inhibitor of MIEP. This interaction leads to YY1 ubiquitin-dependent degradation and subsequently promotes the reactivation of latent HCMV, as well as the replication and proliferation of the virus. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and HCMV during co-infection, providing a new theoretical basis for future prevention and treatment strategies against the co-infection of these two viruses.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013344
spellingShingle Sisi Xia
Xiaoping Huo
Nanfang Liu
Xinyu Liu
Tianyou Wang
Muyi Guo
Chi Zeng
Pin Wan
Jun Chen
SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
PLoS Pathogens
title SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
title_full SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
title_fullStr SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
title_full_unstemmed SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
title_short SARS-CoV-2 encoded ORF3a interacts with YY1 to promote latent HCMV reactivation.
title_sort sars cov 2 encoded orf3a interacts with yy1 to promote latent hcmv reactivation
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013344
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