Metabolites that feed upper glycolytic branches support glucose independent human cytomegalovirus replication

• DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.579992
• Publication Date: 2024-02-13T03:50:11Z
• Authors: Rebekah L. Mokry; John G. Purdy
• Keywords: Carbohydrate Metabolism

The broad tissue distribution and cell tropism of human cytomegalovirus indicates that the virus successfully replicates in tissues with various nutrient environments. HCMV requires reprograms central carbon metabolism for viral replication. However, many studies focus on reprogramming high conditions do not recapitulate physiological environments body. In this study, we investigate how when nutrients are suboptimal. We limited glucose following infection to determine supports replication potentially present environment contribute successful independent Glucose is required genome synthesis, protein production glycosylation, production. supplement glucose-free cultures uridine, ribose, or UDP-GlcNAc-metabolites support upper glycolytic branches-resulted partially restored synthesis subsequent partial restoration levels. Low levels were also restored. Supplementing lower glycolysis using pyruvate had no effect These results indicate branches like pentose phosphate pathway hexosamine can compensate during low More broadly, our findings suggest could replicate diverse metabolic niches, including those body glucose, through alternative usage.