# Defining how SLBP promotes infectivity of HCMV

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2024 · $73,408

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) is a cellular protein required for the production of replication-
dependent histones (RDH). SLBP binds to a conserved stem loop in the 3’ UTR of RDH mRNAs and
facilitates their processing in the nucleus, export, and translation in the cytoplasm. To date, no other
cellular role for SLBP has been reported. We recently demonstrated that during HCMV infection, RDH
mRNA processing and translation is inhibited indicating that SLBP is not performing its only known
function. Interestingly, however, we also found that SLBP is required for efficient HCMV productive
replication. In the absence of SLBP, similar numbers of progeny virions are produced, but my data
suggest a non-virion component of the viral supernatant diminishes infectivity of virus stocks made in the
absence of SLBP. Together, these data suggest that HCMV utilizes SLBP for a new, yet
uncharacterized function to promote HCMV infectivity. The overarching goal of this proposal is to
identify and characterize this novel, pro-viral function of SLBP during HCMV infection. Because
the only known function of SLBP requires its ability to bind RNA, I hypothesize that HCMV co-opts the
RNA binding function of SLBP to perform a new, pro-viral role required to modulate expression
of a secreted factor that affects HCMV infectivity. To test this hypothesis, I will determine the
function of SLBP required to promote HCMV infectivity, characterize differences in the secretome
during HCMV infection in the presence or absence of SLBP, and determine at which point in a newly
infected cell HCMV virus stocks produced in the absence of SLBP are deficient.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10899344
- **Project number:** 1F32AI183625-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kylee Marie Morrison
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $73,408
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-02 → 2026-06-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10899344

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10899344, Defining how SLBP promotes infectivity of HCMV (1F32AI183625-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10899344. Licensed CC0.

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