Trichosanthin affects HSV-1 replication in Hep-2 cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.10.080
• Publication Date: 2010-10-23T08:18:32Z
• Authors: Dong-Xu He; Siu-Cheung Tam
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Trichosanthin; Gene Expression; Humans; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Virus Replication; Virus Release; Cell Line; 3. Good health

Trichosanthin (TCS) is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein that inhibits the replication of both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The mechanism of inhibition is not clear. This investigation explored the effects of TCS on the stages of HSV-1 infection in Hep-2 cells, from attachment to release. We demonstrated that TCS reduced HSV-1 antigen and DNA content and interfered with viral replication as early as 3-15 h after infection. TCS had no effect on HSV-1 attachment, penetration or immediate-early gene expression. However, the expression of early and late genes and virion release were diminished. In summary, this study demonstrates that TCS primarily affects HSV-1 replication in Hep-2 cells during the early to late infection period.