FIG 3.

HCMV pUL38 prevents cell death by inhibiting the function of USP24. (A and B) MRC5 cells were transduced with lentivirus expressing control shRNA (shc) or USP24-specific shRNA shUSP24-1 (A) or shUSP24-2 (B). Cells were then infected with wild type (wt) or pUL38-deficient HCMV (UL38 mut) at an MOI of 3. Images were taken at 72 hpi. (C) MRC5 cells were transduced and infected as for panels A and B, and cell viability was assessed at 72 or 96 hpi by CellTiter-Glo luminescent cell viability assay. The viability of cells infected with wild-type HCMV was set as 100%, and the viability of cells infected with pUL38-deficient HCMV was normalized to that of wild-type-HCMV-infected cells. Data shown represent the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. ***, P < 0.001. (D) MRC5 cells were transduced and infected as for panels A and B. Cell lysates were collected at 72 hpi and analyzed by immunoblotting with the indicated antibodies.