For the first time, researchers have been able to use cryo-electron microscopy, to reveal the 

detailed structure of the common herpes virus.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow used the cutting-edge technique to reveal, in high 

resolution, the biological mechanisms the herpes virus uses to infect people. The findings are 

published today in PLOS Biology.

The researchers now hope that these findings could lead to the development of new drugs to 

treat the virus.

The herpes family include the viruses that cause both cold-sores and chicken pox. Members 

of this family of viruses can also cause cancers and severe illnesses in the unborn child.

However, at only 1/10,000th of a millimetre in diameter, the capsid – or shell – the herpes 

virus uses to store its DNA and infect its host, has until now been difficult for scientists to 

anaylse.

Herpes  viruses  cause  infection  by  introducing their DNA into our cells. To do this, they 

package their DNA inside a protective coat called a capsid. The capsid is spherical in shape 

and highly symmetrical.

The  researchers  used  cryo-electron microscopy  to reveal the structure of a motor-like 

assembly called a portal. Herpesviruses pump their DNA into preassembled capsids through 

the portal. When a herpes virus infects our cells, the DNA is ejected from the capsid by the 

same portal machinery.

Dr. David Bhella, lead author of the study from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for 

Virus Research, said: "Cryo-electron microscopy, combined with new computational image 

processing methods allowed us to reveal the detailed structure of the unique machinery by 

which the virus packs DNA into the capsid. The DNA is packed very tightly, reaching a 

pressure similar to that inside a bottle of Champagne.

"We hope that this study will eventually lead to the development of new medicines to treat 

acute herpesvirus infections, through the design of drugs that will block the action of the 

portal motor."