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Human cytomegalovirus – no longer just a DNA virus

Nature Medicine volume 6, pages 863–864 (2000)Cite this article

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is classified as a DNA herpesvirus. A recent study showed that the HCMV virion contains not only DNA, but also four species of mRNA, indicating that this virus is more complex than previously believed.

HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (HCMV) is the largest of the known herpesviruses, with a genome of over 235 kb and more than 200 potential open reading frames1. It is a widespread opportunistic pathogen that causes no obvious clinical manifestation in healthy individuals. On the other hand, it is a leading cause of virus-associated birth defects, including mental retardation and deafness. It causes severe and fatal diseases in immune-compromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients, and is also associated with atherosclerosis and coronary restenosis.

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Figure 1: HCMV lytic life cycle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Lineberger, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina

    Eng-Shang Huang & Robert A. Johnson

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  1. Eng-Shang Huang
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  2. Robert A. Johnson
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Huang, ES., Johnson, R. Human cytomegalovirus – no longer just a DNA virus. Nat Med 6, 863–864 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/78612

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