title: Epigenetic regulation of human cytomegalovirus latency: an update.
abstract: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous virus which infects 50-90% of the population worldwide. In immunocompetent hosts, HCMV either remains unnoticed or causes mild symptoms. Upon primary infection it establishes latent infection in a few cells. However, in certain situations where immunity is either immature or compromised, HCMV may reactivate and cause mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is utmost important to understand how HCMV establishes latent infection and associated mechanisms responsible for its reactivation. Several mechanisms are involved in the regulation of latency including chromatin remodeling by an array of enzymes and microRNAs. Here we will describe the epigenetic regulation of HCMV latency. Further we will discuss the unique HCMV latency signature and patho-physiological relevance of latent HCMV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, University of Franche-Comte, CHRU Besançon, UPRES EA4266 Pathogens & Inflammation Department, SFR FED 4234, F-25030 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herbein
mesh_terms: D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D017735:Virus Latency