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Herpes simplex virus type 1 reshapes host chromatin architecture via transcription machinery hijacking

Author

Listed:
  • Esther González-Almela

    (Southern Medical University)

  • Alvaro Castells-Garcia

    (Southern Medical University)

  • François Dily

    (Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Manuel Fernández Merino

    (Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Davide Carnevali

    (Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Pol Cusco

    (Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Luciano Croce

    (Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology
    ICREA
    Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF))

  • Maria Pia Cosma

    (Southern Medical University
    Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology
    ICREA
    Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF))

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) remodels the host chromatin structure and induces a host-to-virus transcriptional switch during lytic infection. We combine super-resolution imaging and chromosome-capture technologies to identify the mechanism of remodeling. We show that the host chromatin undergoes massive condensation caused by the hijacking of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and topoisomerase I (TOP1). In addition, HSV-1 infection results in the rearrangement of topologically associating domains and loops, although the A/B compartments are maintained in the host. The position of viral genomes and their association with RNAP II and cohesin is determined nanometrically. We reveal specific host–HSV-1 genome interactions and enrichment of upregulated human genes in the most contacting regions. Finally, TOP1 inhibition fully blocks HSV-1 infection, suggesting possible antiviral strategies. This viral mechanism of host chromatin rewiring sheds light on the role of transcription in chromatin architecture.

Suggested Citation

  • Esther González-Almela & Alvaro Castells-Garcia & François Dily & Manuel Fernández Merino & Davide Carnevali & Pol Cusco & Luciano Croce & Maria Pia Cosma, 2025. "Herpes simplex virus type 1 reshapes host chromatin architecture via transcription machinery hijacking," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60534-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60534-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jesse R. Dixon & Siddarth Selvaraj & Feng Yue & Audrey Kim & Yan Li & Yin Shen & Ming Hu & Jun S. Liu & Bing Ren, 2012. "Topological domains in mammalian genomes identified by analysis of chromatin interactions," Nature, Nature, vol. 485(7398), pages 376-380, May.
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    3. Alistair N. Boettiger & Bogdan Bintu & Jeffrey R. Moffitt & Siyuan Wang & Brian J. Beliveau & Geoffrey Fudenberg & Maxim Imakaev & Leonid A. Mirny & Chao-ting Wu & Xiaowei Zhuang, 2016. "Super-resolution imaging reveals distinct chromatin folding for different epigenetic states," Nature, Nature, vol. 529(7586), pages 418-422, January.
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