Cold Sore Virus Hijacks Human Genome in 3D--and Scientists Found Its Weak Spot

Cold sore virus hijacks human genome in 3D--and scientists found its weak spot

Cold sore-causing HSV-1 doesn't just hijack cells it reconfigures the entire architecture of our DNA to aid its invasion. Researchers discovered that it actively reshapes the 3D structure of the human genome within hours of infection, using host enzymes like topoisomerase I to gain access to crucial genetic machinery. Stunningly, blocking this single enzyme shuts the virus down completely.

Herpes Virus Found to Reshape Chromosomes, Offering New Therapeutic Targets

Researchers have discovered that the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) rearranges the three dimensional shape of the human genome to access genes it needs to replicate itself. For the first time, scientists have been able to study in detail how the virus rearranges the architecture of its host’s genome within hours of infection, opening the door for new therapeutic strategies that target this infection mechanism.  “HSV-1 is an opportunistic interio…