Herpes Virus Fluidizes Cell Nuclei to Multiply Faster

New study shows how herpes simplex virus uses a protein to make the human nucleus more fluid-like, enabling faster viral replication.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health has found that herpes simplex virus uses a protein called infected cell protein 4 (ICP4) to make the human cell nucleus more fluid-like, which in turn makes it easier for the virus to replicate itself. The study revealed that blocking the ability of ICP4 to fluidize the nuclear compartment caused a four-fold drop in the production rate of new viral copies.

Why it matters

The physical state of the cell nucleus is a fundamental barrier that viruses must overcome to multiply. By studying how viruses manipulate cells, researchers can uncover fundamental rules of biology that could lead to new ways to counter viral replication.

The details

The research team chose to study herpes simplex virus 1 because it is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases, with an estimated 64% of adults globally becoming infected for life. To multiply, viruses need room to build relatively large structures called condensates, which serve as temporary factories to mass-produce viruses. The study found that the herpes virus ICP4 protein attaches to chromatin remodeling protein groups that unwind DNA around histones, changing the physical properties of the nucleus and loosening the interior to make viral condensate growth possible.

  • The study was published online on March 5, 2026.

The players

Liam Holt

A professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at NYU Langone Health and faculty in the Institute for Systems Genetics, who is the senior study author.

Nora Herzog

A recent graduate from the biomedical sciences program at NYU Langone, and now a postdoctoral fellow at Universitat de València Parc Cientific in Valencia, Spain, who is the first study author.

NYU Langone Health

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What they’re saying

“The physical state of the nucleus is a fundamental barrier that a virus must overcome to multiply. Viruses are masters at manipulating cells, and by studying their tricks, we uncover fundamental rules of biology.”

— Liam Holt, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health (PRNewswire)

“We are working now to confirm the mechanism by which ICP4 fluidizes the nucleus, which could give us new, specific targets to physically counter viral replication. We will also be looking to see if this mechanism is used by other viruses that replicate in the nucleus, from the double-stranded DNA viruses responsible for shingles to RNA viruses like influenza virus to retroviruses like HIV.”

— Nora Herzog, Postdoctoral Fellow, Universitat de València Parc Cientific (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The research team plans to further investigate the mechanism by which the ICP4 protein fluidizes the cell nucleus, which could lead to new targets for countering viral replication. They also intend to explore whether this mechanism is used by other viruses that replicate in the nucleus.

The takeaway

By studying how the herpes simplex virus manipulates the physical properties of the cell nucleus to enable faster replication, researchers can uncover fundamental principles of biology that could inform the development of new antiviral strategies targeting this and potentially other viruses.