Pérez-Martínez, Z.; Boga, J.A.; Potes, Y.; Melón, S.; Coto-Montes, A. Effect of Melatonin on Herpesvirus Type 1 Replication. Int. J. Mol. Sci.2024, 25, 4037.
Pérez-Martínez, Z.; Boga, J.A.; Potes, Y.; Melón, S.; Coto-Montes, A. Effect of Melatonin on Herpesvirus Type 1 Replication. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 4037.
Pérez-Martínez, Z.; Boga, J.A.; Potes, Y.; Melón, S.; Coto-Montes, A. Effect of Melatonin on Herpesvirus Type 1 Replication. Int. J. Mol. Sci.2024, 25, 4037.
Pérez-Martínez, Z.; Boga, J.A.; Potes, Y.; Melón, S.; Coto-Montes, A. Effect of Melatonin on Herpesvirus Type 1 Replication. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 4037.
Abstract
Acute HSV-1 infection is associated with mild symptom, such as fever and lesions of the mouth, face and skin. This phase is followed by a latency period before reactivation which is associated with symptoms ranging from ulcers to encephalitis. Despite available anti-HSV-1 drugs, the development of new antiviral agents is sought due to the presence of resistant viruses. Melatonin, a molecule secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to be an antioxidant, inducer of antioxidant enzymes, and regulator of various biological processes. Clinical trials have explored its therapeutic utility in conditions including infections. This study focuses on melatonin's role in HSV-1 replication and the underlying mechanisms. Melatonin was found to decrease the synthesis of HSV-1 proteins in infected Vero cells measured by inmunofluorescence indicating an inhibition of HSV-1 replication. Additionally, it regulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes and affects proteasome activity. Melatonin activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy and suppresses apoptosis in HSV-1-infected cells. In summary, melatonin demonstrates an inhibitory role in HSV-1 replication by modulating various cellular responses, suggesting its potential utility in the treatment of viral infections.
Keywords
Melatonin; herpesvirus; oxidative stress; ER stress; autophagy; apoptosis
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
