The role of MKK1/2 kinase activity in human cytomegalovirus infection

Human cytomegalovirus infection of quiescent fibroblasts was found to induce a bi-phasic activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1 and 2 (MKK1/2) and two of their downstream targets, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), as determined by Western blot analysis using phospho-specific antibodies. Treatment of infected fibroblasts with UO126, a potent and specific inhibitor of MKK1/2 kinase activity, completely blocked ERK1/2 activation following HCMV infection without affecting cell viability. Anti-viral studies demonstrate that in the presence of UO126, viral titres are reduced and viral DNA replication is inhibited. In addition, protein levels of two viral early genes that are required for viral DNA replication, UL44 and UL84, are significantly decreased in the presence of UO126, These results suggest that HCMV-mediated activation of MKK1/2 kinase activity enhances virus infectivity by ensuring timely initiation of viral DNA replication, possibly by regulating early gene expression.