Effect of DNA polymerase inhibitors on the replication of human cytomegalovirus

Abstract
Aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerase α and of viral DNA polymerase, inhibits production of infectious virus and cellular and viral DNA synthesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells. On the other hand, 2′, 3′-dideoxynucleosides, inhibitors of DNA polymerases β and γ, do not affect HCMV replication. The data show that the α DNA polymerases of either viral or cellular origin are required for viral DNA synthesis, and cannot be substituted by the cellular DNA polymerase β and γ.