Inhibition of human cytomegalovirus replication by small interfering RNAs.
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the mediators of a sequence-specific process of gene silencing called RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we show that synthetic siRNAs against essential gene products of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can trigger RNAi in serum-starved, infected primary fibroblasts, as well as in U373 cells, leading to effective inhibition of viral DNA replication. This opens new possibilities for antiviral strategies and for the analysis of viral and cellular genes important to HCMV physiology.
Wiebusch
Lüder
L
Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Charité, CCM-Ziegelstr. 5-9, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Truss
Matthias
M
Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Charité, CCM-Ziegelstr. 5-9, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Hagemeier
Christian
C
Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Charité, CCM-Ziegelstr. 5-9, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000821:virology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C109367:UL54 protein, Human herpesvirus 5; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase