TitleArgininosuccinate synthetase 1 depletion produces a metabolic state conducive to herpes simplex virus 1 infection.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsGrady, SL, Purdy, JG, Rabinowitz, JD, Shenk, T
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume110
Issue51
PaginationE5006-15
Date Published2013 Dec 17
KeywordsAnimals, Argininosuccinate Synthase, Cercopithecus aethiops, Fibroblasts, Gene Knockdown Techniques, Genome, Viral, Herpes Simplex, Herpesvirus 1, Human, Humans, RNA, Messenger, Vero Cells, Virus Replication
Abstract

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection triggers specific metabolic changes in its host cell. To explore the interactions between cellular metabolism and HSV-1 infection, we performed an siRNA screen of cellular metabolic genes, measuring their effect on viral replication. The screen identified multiple enzymes predicted to influence HSV-1 replication, including argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (AS1), which consumes aspartate as part of de novo arginine synthesis. Knockdown of AS1 robustly enhanced viral genome replication and the production of infectious virus. Using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found that the metabolic phenotype induced by knockdown of AS1 in human fibroblasts mimicked multiple aspects of the metabolic program observed during HSV-1 infection, including an increase in multiple nucleotides and their precursors. Together with the observation that AS1 protein and mRNA levels decrease during wild-type infection, this work suggests that reduced AS1 activity is partially responsible for the metabolic program induced by infection.

Alternate JournalProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.