Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 08, 2025 1 week, 3 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists Discover How Adenovirus Disrupts Key Metabolic Pathways
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Merced-USA, has shed new light on how human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV-5) alters the metabolic processes of infected cells. By investigating fibroblast cells infected with different doses of the virus, scientists have discovered how viral infections can disrupt critical pathways involved in energy production and cellular function. This
Medical News report explains how the findings could influence future antiviral treatments and deepen our understanding of viral infections.
Human Adenovirus Serotype 5 Infection Alters Metabolism in Unexpected Ways
How Viruses Hijack Cellular Metabolism
Cells in the human body rely on a complex network of metabolic processes to generate energy and maintain function. When a virus infects a cell, it takes over these processes to ensure its own replication. While previous studies have shown that viruses like adenovirus affect glucose metabolism, this research goes further by identifying three major metabolic pathways that are significantly disrupted: cysteine metabolism, purine metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
The study analyzed fibroblast cells infected with varying doses of HAdV-5 and tracked changes in cellular metabolism over different time periods, from six hours to 36 hours after infection. The results revealed that the virus induces widespread metabolic shifts early in the infection process, with the most drastic changes occurring between six- and 12-hours post-infection.
Key Findings of the Study
-Disruption of Cysteine Metabolism
Cysteine plays an essential role in producing antioxidants that protect cells from damage. The study found that adenovirus infection significantly reduces cysteine levels, which may weaken the cell’s ability to defend itself. Metabolites associated with cysteine metabolism, including homocysteine, methionine, and cystathionine, were found to be lower than normal. This suggests that infected cells may struggle to maintain normal function and might become more susceptible to damage from oxidative stress.
-Changes in Purine Metabolism
Purines are essential for DNA and RNA synthesis, and they also play a role in energy production. The researchers discovered that adenovirus infection increases adenine levels while reducing guanine and hypoxanthine levels. These changes indicate that the virus may be shifting cellular priorities toward supporting viral replication rather than normal cellular function. The disruption of purine metabolism could have long-term effects on cell health and viral propagation.
-Decrease in Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are crucial for building cell membranes and supporting energy production. The study found that unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitoleic acid, were significantly downregulated in infected cell
s. Since unsaturated fatty acids have antiviral properties, their depletion could help the virus spread more easily within the body. The findings suggest that adenovirus may deliberately interfere with lipid metabolism to weaken cellular defenses.
Implications for Future Research and Treatments
Understanding how adenoviruses manipulate metabolism could pave the way for new antiviral strategies. If researchers can find ways to counteract these metabolic disruptions, they may be able to develop treatments that limit viral replication and reduce the severity of infections. One potential approach could be using metabolic supplements, such as antioxidants or fatty acid replacements, to help infected cells recover more effectively.
Additionally, these findings may have broader implications for other viral infections. Many viruses rely on similar metabolic disruptions to support their replication. By targeting metabolic pathways rather than the virus itself, scientists may be able to develop broad-spectrum antiviral treatments that could work against multiple viruses, including those responsible for respiratory infections and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study highlights how human adenovirus serotype 5 disrupts key metabolic pathways in infected fibroblast cells. The findings reveal that the virus downregulates cysteine and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism while increasing purine metabolism to enhance its replication. These metabolic shifts weaken cellular defenses, potentially making infections more severe and harder to combat. The research underscores the need for further studies on how viral infections manipulate host metabolism and how metabolic interventions could be used as a novel antiviral strategy.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: The FASEB Journal.
https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202402726R
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