9NNP

Composite structure of HSV-1 helicase-primase in complex with a forked DNA

Summary for 9NNP

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9nnp/pdb
• EMDB information: 49585
• Descriptor: DNA replication helicase, DNA primase, DNA helicase/primase complex-associated protein, ... (5 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: dna replication, hsv-1 helicase-primase, viral protein, transferase-hydrolase-dna complex, transferase/hydrolase/dna
• Biological source: Human alphaherpesvirus 1 strain 17; More
• Total number of polymer chains: 4
• Total formula weight: 298020.78

Authors

He, Q.,Baranovskiy, A.G.,Morstadt, L.M.,Babayeva, N.D.,Lim, C.,Tahirov, T.H. (deposition date: 2025-03-05, release date: 2025-11-19)

Primary citation

Baranovskiy, A.G.,He, Q.,Suwa, Y.,Morstadt, L.M.,Babayeva, N.D.,Lim, C.J.,Tahirov, T.H.
Structural basis of herpesvirus helicase-primase inhibition by pritelivir and amenamevir.
Sci Adv, 11:eadz1989-eadz1989, 2025

PubMed Abstract: Widespread herpesvirus infections are associated with various diseases. DNA replication of human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) requires a helicase-primase (HP) complex of three core proteins: UL5, UL52, and UL8. This complex unwinds viral DNA and synthesizes primers for DNA replication, making it an attractive antiviral target. Although HP inhibitors pritelivir and amenamevir were identified through screening, their binding mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of HSV-1 HP bound to a forked DNA template alone and in complex with pritelivir or amenamevir. The structures reveal a bilobed architecture highlighting HP coordinated action at the replication fork and providing a structural basis for HP inhibition by illustrating precisely how pritelivir and amenamevir block helicase activity. Data lay a solid foundation for the development of improved antiviral therapies.

PubMed: 41202142
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz1989

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (3.2 Å)