Protein phosphoribosylation in herpesvirus infections and viral protein function
Official title: Protein Phosphoribosylation: Characterization of a novel protein modification
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11571454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH-funded project will explore a tiny chemical change on viral proteins during herpesvirus infection to understand how these viruses replicate and spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $157,000 |
| NIH project number | 7R03DE034794-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11571454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Any future therapies or diagnostics arising from this work would benefit patients with herpesvirus infections, particularly those at risk for severe disease.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients will not receive direct benefits from this short-term project, as it focuses on basic mechanisms in laboratory settings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how herpes simplex virus type 1 uses the host cell’s NAD+ metabolism to modify its own proteins through a process called phosphoribosylation. Researchers will focus on NAMPT, a key enzyme, and how phosphoribosylation of viral proteins like VP22 helps assemble new virus particles. The work aims to uncover whether these modifications affect infection, spread, or pathogenesis in human cells. Findings could reveal new angles for antiviral strategies, especially in immune-compromised situations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this modification could lead to new targets for antiviral therapies to limit herpesvirus replication and disease.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research on ADP-ribosylation and virus-host interactions has shown that host enzymes can influence viral replication, supporting potential relevance here.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Shu — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Feng, Shu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.