Role of homodimerization of human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase accessory protein UL44 in origin-dependent DNA replication in cells

Mechanistic Insights Into an Ancient Adenovirus Precursor Protein VII Show Multiple Nuclear Import Receptor Pathways

Adenoviral pVII proteins are multifunctional, highly basic, histone-like proteins that can bind to and transport the viral genome into the host cell nucleus. Despite the identification of several nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in the pVII protein of human adenovirus (HAdV)2, the mechanistic details of nuclear transport are largely unknown. Here we provide a full characterization of the nuclear import of precursor (Pre-) pVII protein from an ancient siadenovirus, frog siadenovirus 1 (FrAdV1), using a combination of structural, functional, and biochemical approaches. Two strong NLSs (termed NLSa and NLSd) interact with importin (IMP)β1 and IMPα, respectively, and are the main drivers of nuclear import. A weaker NLS (termed NLSb) also contributes, together with an additional signal (NLSc) which we found to be important for nucleolar targeting and intranuclear binding. Expression of wild-type and NLS defective derivatives Pre-pVII in the presence of selective inhibitors of different nuclear import pathways revealed that, unlike its human counterpart, FrAdV1 Pre-pVII nuclear import is dependent on IMPα/β1 and IMPβ1, but not on transportin-1 (IMPβ2). Clearly, AdVs evolved to maximize the nuclear import pathways for the pVII proteins, whose subcellular localization is the result of a complex process. Therefore, our results pave the way for an evolutionary comparison of the interaction of different AdVs with the host cell nuclear transport machinery.

A functional and structural comparative analysis of large tumor antigens reveals evolution of different importin α-dependent nuclear localization signals

Nucleocytoplasmic transport regulates the passage of proteins between the nucleus and cytoplasm. In the best characterized pathway, importin (IMP) α bridges cargoes bearing basic, classical nuclear localization signals (cNLSs) to IMPβ1, which mediates transport through the nuclear pore complex. IMPα recognizes three types of cNLSs via two binding sites: the major binding site accommodates monopartite cNLSs, the minor binding site recognizes atypical cNLSs, while bipartite cNLSs simultaneously interact with both major and minor sites. Despite the growing knowledge regarding IMPα-cNLS interactions, our understanding of the evolution of cNLSs is limited. We combined bioinformatic, biochemical, functional, and structural approaches to study this phenomenon, using polyomaviruses (PyVs) large tumor antigens (LTAs) as a model. We characterized functional cNLSs from all human (H)PyV LTAs, located between the LXCXE motif and origin binding domain. Surprisingly, the prototypical SV40 monopartite NLS is not well conserved; HPyV LTA NLSs are extremely heterogenous in terms of structural organization, IMPα isoform binding, and nuclear targeting abilities, thus influencing the nuclear accumulation properties of full-length proteins. While several LTAs possess bipartite cNLSs, merkel cell PyV contains a hybrid bipartite cNLS whose upstream stretch of basic amino acids can function as an atypical cNLS, specifically binding to the IMPα minor site upon deletion of the downstream amino acids after viral integration in the host genome. Therefore, duplication of a monopartite cNLS and subsequent accumulation of point mutations, optimizing interaction with distinct IMPα binding sites, led to the evolution of bipartite and atypical NLSs binding at the minor site.

Structural determinants of phosphorylation-dependent nuclear transport of HCMV DNA polymerase processivity factor UL44

Human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase processivity factor UL44 is transported into the nucleus by importin (IMP) α/β through a classical nuclear localization signal (NLS), and this region is susceptible to cdc2-mediated phosphorylation at position T427. Whilst phosphorylation within and close to the UL44 NLS regulates nuclear transport, the details remain elusive, due to the paucity of structural information regarding the role of negatively charged cargo phosphate groups. We addressed this issue by studying the effect of UL44 T427 phosphorylation on interaction with several IMPα isoforms by biochemical and structural approaches. Phosphorylation decreased UL44/IMPα affinity 10-fold, and a comparative structural analysis of UL44 NLS phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides complexed with mouse IMPα2 revealed the structural rearrangements responsible for phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of UL44 nuclear import.

Importin α/β-dependent nuclear transport of human parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein 1 is essential for viral replication

Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a major human pathogen causing a variety of diseases, characterized by a selective tropism to human progenitor cells in bone marrow. In similar fashion to all Parvoviridae members, the B19V ssDNA genome is replicated within the nucleus of infected cells through a process which involves both cellular and viral proteins. Among the latter, a crucial role is played by non-structural protein (NS)1, a multifunctional protein involved in genome replication and transcription, as well as modulation of host gene expression and function. Despite the localization of NS1 within the host cell nucleus during infection, little is known regarding the mechanism of its nuclear transport pathway. In this study we undertake structural, biophysical, and cellular approaches to characterize this process. Quantitative confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), gel mobility shift, fluorescence polarization and crystallographic analysis identified a short sequence of amino acids (GACHAKKPRIT-182) as the classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) responsible for nuclear import, mediated in an energy and importin (IMP) α/β-dependent fashion. Structure-guided mutagenesis of key residue K177 strongly impaired IMPα binding, nuclear import, and viral gene expression in a minigenome system. Further, treatment with ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug interfering with the IMPα/β dependent nuclear import pathway, inhibited NS1 nuclear accumulation and viral replication in infected UT7/Epo-S1 cells. Thus, NS1 nuclear transport is a potential target of therapeutic intervention against B19V induced disease.

Divide et impera: An In Silico Screening Targeting HCMV ppUL44 Processivity Factor Homodimerization Identifies Small Molecules Inhibiting Viral Replication

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading cause of severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals, including AIDS patients and transplant recipients, and in congenitally infected newborns. The utility of available drugs is limited by poor bioavailability, toxicity, and emergence of resistant strains. Therefore, it is crucial to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. Among the latter, viral protein–protein interactions are becoming increasingly attractive. Since dimerization of HCMV DNA polymerase processivity factor ppUL44 plays an essential role in the viral life cycle, being required for oriLyt-dependent DNA replication, it can be considered a potential therapeutic target. We therefore performed an in silico screening and selected 18 small molecules (SMs) potentially interfering with ppUL44 homodimerization. Antiviral assays using recombinant HCMV TB4-UL83-YFP in the presence of the selected SMs led to the identification of four active compounds. The most active one, B3, also efficiently inhibited HCMV AD169 strain in plaque reduction assays and impaired replication of an AD169-GFP reporter virus and its ganciclovir-resistant counterpart to a similar extent. As assessed by Western blotting experiments, B3 specifically reduced viral gene expression starting from 48 h post infection, consistent with the inhibition of viral DNA synthesis measured by qPCR starting from 72 h post infection. Therefore, our data suggest that inhibition of ppUL44 dimerization could represent a new class of HCMV inhibitors, complementary to those targeting the DNA polymerase catalytic subunit or the viral terminase complex.

Live-Cell Analysis of Human Cytomegalovirus DNA Polymerase Holoenzyme Assembly by Resonance Energy Transfer Methods

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome replication is a complex and still not completely understood process mediated by the highly coordinated interaction of host and viral products. Among the latter, six different proteins form the viral replication complex: a single-stranded DNA binding protein, a trimeric primase/helicase complex and a two subunit DNA polymerase holoenzyme, which in turn contains a catalytic subunit, pUL54, and a dimeric processivity factor ppUL44. Being absolutely required for viral replication and representing potential therapeutic targets, both the ppUL44-pUL54 interaction and ppUL44 homodimerization have been largely characterized from structural, functional and biochemical points of view. We applied fluorescence and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET and BRET) assays to investigate such processes in living cells. Both interactions occur with similar affinities and can take place both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. Importantly, single amino acid substitutions in different ppUL44 domains selectively affect its dimerization or ability to interact with pUL54. Intriguingly, substitutions preventing DNA binding of ppUL44 influence the BRET_max of protein-protein interactions, implying that binding to dsDNA induces conformational changes both in the ppUL44 homodimer and in the DNA polymerase holoenzyme. We also compared transiently and stably ppUL44-expressing cells in BRET inhibition assays. Transient expression of the BRET donor allowed inhibition of both ppUL44 dimerization and formation of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme, upon overexpression of FLAG-tagged ppUL44 as a competitor. Our approach could be useful both to monitor the dynamics of assembly of the HCMV DNA polymerase holoenzyme and for antiviral drug discovery.

Human Cytomegalovirus Primary Infection and Reactivation: Insights From Virion-Carried Molecules

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a ubiquitous beta-herpesvirus, is able to establish lifelong latency after initial infection. Periodical reactivation occurs after immunosuppression, remaining a major cause of death in immunocompromised patients. HCMV has to reach a structural and functional balance with the host at its earliest entry. Virion-carried mediators are considered to play pivotal roles in viral adaptation into a new cellular environment upon entry. Additionally, one clear difference between primary infection and reactivation is the idea that virion-packaged factors are already formed such that those molecules can be used swiftly by the virus. In contrast, virion-carried mediators have to be transcribed and translated; thus, they are not readily available during reactivation. Hence, understanding virion-carried molecules helps to elucidate HCMV reactivation. In this article, the impact of virion-packaged molecules on viral structure, biological behavior, and viral life cycle will be reviewed.

Intersectin goes nuclear: secret life of an endocytic protein

Intersectin 1-short (ITSN1-s) is a 1220 amino acid ubiquitously expressed scaffold protein presenting a multidomain structure that allows to spatiotemporally regulate the functional interaction of a plethora of proteins. Besides its well-established role in endocytosis, ITSN1-s is involved in the regulation of cell signaling and is implicated in tumorigenesis processes, although the signaling pathways involved are still poorly understood. Here, we identify ITSN1-s as a nucleocytoplasmic trafficking protein. We show that, by binding to importin (IMP)α, a small fraction of ITSN1-s localizes in the cell nucleus at the steady state, where it preferentially associates with the nuclear envelope and interacts with lamin A/C. However, upon pharmacological ablation of chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM-1)-dependent nuclear export pathway, the protein accumulates into the nucleus, thus revealing its moonlighting nature. Analysis of deletion mutants revealed that the coiled coil (CC) and Src homology (SH3) regions play the major role in its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. While no evidence of nuclear localization signal (NLS) was detected in the CC region, a functional bipartite NLS was identified within the SH3D region of ITSN1-s (RKKNPGGWWEGELQARGKKRQIGW-1127), capable of conferring energy-dependent nuclear accumulation to reporter proteins and whose mutational ablation affects nuclear import of the whole SH3 region. Thus, ITSN1-s is an endocytic protein, which shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in a CRM-1- and IMPα-dependent fashion.

Molecular Requirements for Self-Interaction of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Matrix Protein in Living Mammalian Cells

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen, which infects respiratory tract epithelial cells causing bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children and the elderly. Recent studies have linked RSV matrix (M) ability to self-interaction and viral budding. However, RSV M has been crystalized both as a monomer and a dimer, and no formal proof exists to date that it forms dimers in cells. Here, by using a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and bioluminescent resonant energy transfer applied to differently tagged deletion mutants of RSV M, we show that the protein can self-interact in living mammalian cells and that both the N and C-terminus of the protein are strictly required for the process, consistent with the reported dimeric crystal structure.

Herpesvirus DNA polymerases: Structures, functions and inhibitors

Human herpesviruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae family. These viruses have the ability to establish lifelong latency into the host and to periodically reactivate. Primary infections and reactivations of herpesviruses cause a large spectrum of diseases and may lead to severe complications in immunocompromised patients. The viral DNA polymerase is a key enzyme in the lytic phase of the infection by herpesviruses. This review focuses on the structures and functions of viral DNA polymerases of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). DNA polymerases of HSV (UL30) and HCMV (UL54) belong to B family DNA polymerases with which they share seven regions of homology numbered I to VII as well as a δ-region C which is homologous to DNA polymerases δ. These DNA polymerases are multi-functional enzymes exhibiting polymerase, 3'-5' exonuclease proofreading and ribonuclease H activities. Furthermore, UL30 and UL54 DNA polymerases form a complex with UL42 and UL44 processivity factors, respectively. The mechanisms involved in their polymerisation activity have been elucidated based on structural analyses of the DNA polymerase of bacteriophage RB69 crystallized under different conformations, i.e. the enzyme alone or in complex with DNA and with both DNA and incoming nucleotide. All antiviral agents currently used for the prevention or treatment of HSV and HCMV infections target the viral DNA polymerases. However, long-term administration of these antivirals may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant isolates harboring mutations in genes encoding viral enzymes that phosphorylate drugs (i.e., nucleoside analogues) and/or DNA polymerases.

The pseudorabies virus DNA polymerase processivity factor UL42 exists as a monomer in vitro and in vivo

The processivity factors (PFs) of herpesviruses confer processivity to the DNA polymerase. Understanding whether the herpesvirus PFs function as monomers or multimers is important for clarifying the mechanism by which they provide the DNA polymerase with processivity. Herpes simplex virus type 1 UL42 is a monomer, whereas human cytomegalovirus UL44, Epstein-Barr virus BMRF1, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus PF-8 exist as dimers. However, the oligomeric status of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) DNA polymerase PF UL42 has not been determined. Using fluorescence confocal microscopy and chemical crosslinking, we confirmed that UL42 is a monomer when expressed in vitro. Crosslinking of nuclear extracts from PRV-infected or uninfected PK-15 cells verified that UL42 exists as a monomer in vivo. Our demonstration that UL42 exists as a monomer in vitro and in vivo contributes to the further investigation of the mechanism used by UL42 to achieve processivity.

The human cytomegalovirus lytic cycle is induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in peripheral blood monocytes and in the THP-1 monocytic cell line

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) resides in a latent form in hematopoietic progenitors and undifferentiated cells within the myeloid lineage. Maturation and differentiation along the myeloid lineage triggers lytic replication. Here, we used peripheral blood monocytes and the monocytic cell line THP-1 to investigate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on HCMV replication. Interestingly, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces lytic replication marked by upregulation of HCMV gene expression and production of infectious virus. Moreover, we demonstrate that the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 correlate with maturation/differentiation of the monocytes and not by directly stimulating the MIEP. These results are somewhat surprising as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 typically boosts immunity to bacteria and viruses rather than driving the infectious life cycle as it does for HCMV. Defining the signaling pathways kindled by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 will lead to a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms that determine the fate of HCMV once it infects cells in the myeloid lineage.

Regulated transport into the nucleus of herpesviridae DNA replication core proteins

The Herpesvirdae family comprises several major human pathogens belonging to three distinct subfamilies. Their double stranded DNA genome is replicated in the nuclei of infected cells by a number of host and viral products. Among the latter the viral replication complex, whose activity is strictly required for viral replication, is composed of six different polypeptides, including a two-subunit DNA polymerase holoenzyme, a trimeric primase/helicase complex and a single stranded DNA binding protein. The study of herpesviral DNA replication machinery is extremely important, both because it provides an excellent model to understand processes related to eukaryotic DNA replication and it has important implications for the development of highly needed antiviral agents. Even though all known herpesviruses utilize very similar mechanisms for amplification of their genomes, the nuclear import of the replication complex components appears to be a heterogeneous and highly regulated process to ensure the correct spatiotemporal localization of each protein. The nuclear transport process of these enzymes is controlled by three mechanisms, typifying the main processes through which protein nuclear import is generally regulated in eukaryotic cells. These include cargo post-translational modification-based recognition by the intracellular transporters, piggy-back events allowing coordinated nuclear import of multimeric holoenzymes, and chaperone-assisted nuclear import of specific subunits. In this review we summarize these mechanisms and discuss potential implications for the development of antiviral compounds aimed at inhibiting the Herpesvirus life cycle by targeting nuclear import of the Herpesvirus DNA replicating enzymes.

The human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase processivity factor UL44 is modified by SUMO in a DNA-dependent manner

During the replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome, the viral DNA polymerase subunit UL44 plays a key role, as by binding both DNA and the polymerase catalytic subunit it confers processivity to the holoenzyme. However, several lines of evidence suggest that UL44 might have additional roles during virus life cycle. To shed light on this, we searched for cellular partners of UL44 by yeast two-hybrid screenings. Intriguingly, we discovered the interaction of UL44 with Ubc9, an enzyme involved in the covalent conjugation of SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-related MOdifier) to cellular and viral proteins. We found that UL44 can be extensively sumoylated not only in a cell-free system and in transfected cells, but also in HCMV-infected cells, in which about 50% of the protein resulted to be modified at late times post-infection, when viral genome replication is accomplished. Mass spectrometry studies revealed that UL44 possesses multiple SUMO target sites, located throughout the protein. Remarkably, we observed that binding of UL44 to DNA greatly stimulates its sumoylation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we showed that overexpression of SUMO alters the intranuclear distribution of UL44 in HCMV-infected cells, and enhances both virus production and DNA replication, arguing for an important role for sumoylation in HCMV life cycle and UL44 function(s). These data report for the first time the sumoylation of a viral processivity factor and show that there is a functional interplay between the HCMV UL44 protein and the cellular sumoylation system.

Regulation of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of viral proteins: an integral role in pathogenesis?

Signal-dependent targeting of proteins into and out of the nucleus is mediated by members of the importin (IMP) family of transport receptors, which recognise targeting signals within a cargo protein and mediate passage through the nuclear envelope-embedded nuclear pore complexes. Regulation of this process is paramount to processes such as cell division and differentiation, but is also critically important for viral replication and pathogenesis; phosphorylation appears to play a major role in regulating viral protein nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, along with other posttranslational modifications. This review focuses on viral proteins that utilise the host cell IMP machinery in order to traffic into/out of the nucleus, and in particular those where trafficking is critical to viral replication and/or pathogenesis, such as simian virus SV40 large tumour antigen (T-ag), human papilloma virus E1 protein, human cytomegalovirus processivity factor ppUL44, and various gene products from RNA viruses such as Rabies. Understanding of the mechanisms regulating viral protein nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is paramount to the future development of urgently needed specific and effective anti-viral therapeutics. This article was originally intended for the special issue "Regulation of Signaling and Cellular Fate through Modulation of Nuclear Protein Import". The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

Antiviral drug resistance of human cytomegalovirus

The study of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antiviral drug resistance has enhanced knowledge of the virological targets and the mechanisms of antiviral activity. The currently approved drugs, ganciclovir (GCV), foscarnet (FOS), and cidofovir (CDV), target the viral DNA polymerase. GCV anabolism also requires phosphorylation by the virus-encoded UL97 kinase. GCV resistance mutations have been identified in both genes, while FOS and CDV mutations occur only in the DNA polymerase gene. Confirmation of resistance mutations requires phenotypic analysis; however, phenotypic assays are too time-consuming for diagnostic purposes. Genotypic assays based on sequencing provide more rapid results but are dependent on prior validation by phenotypic methods. Reports from many laboratories have produced an evolving list of confirmed resistance mutations, although differences in interpretation have led to some confusion. Recombinant phenotyping methods performed in a few research laboratories have resolved some of the conflicting results. Treatment options for drug-resistant HCMV infections are complex and have not been subjected to controlled clinical trials, although consensus guidelines have been proposed. This review summarizes the virological and clinical data pertaining to HCMV antiviral drug resistance.

The carboxy-terminal segment of the human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase accessory subunit UL44 is crucial for viral replication

The amino-terminal 290 residues of UL44, the presumed processivity factor of human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase, possess all of the established biochemical activities of the full-length protein, while the carboxy-terminal 143 residues contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS). We found that although the amino-terminal domain was sufficient for origin-dependent synthesis in a transient-transfection assay, the carboxy-terminal segment was crucial for virus replication and for the formation of DNA replication compartments in infected cells, even when this segment was replaced with a simian virus 40 NLS that ensured nuclear localization. Our results suggest a role for this segment in viral DNA synthesis.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus processivity factor-8 dimerizes in cytoplasm before being translocated to nucleus

The processivity factor-8 (PF-8) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays an essential role in viral lytic replication. PF-8 forms homodimers in solution and is observed as a dimer on the DNA. Here, we show that PF-8 dimerizes in cells and that amino acid residues 1-21 and residues 277-304 of PF-8 (396R) are required for dimerization in vivo. Importantly, we demonstrate that PF-8 dimerizes in the cytoplasm before being translocated to the nucleus. The significance of PF-8 cytoplasmic dimerization as a possible first step in the formation of a prereplication complex is discussed.

Interaction of HCMV UL84 with C/EBPalpha transcription factor binding sites within oriLyt is essential for lytic DNA replication

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) lytic DNA replication is initiated at the cis-acting oriLyt region and requires six core replication proteins along with UL84 and IE2. Although UL84 is thought to be the replication initiator protein, little is known about its interaction with oriLyt. We have now performed chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP) using antibodies specific to UL84, IE2, UL44, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPalpha) and PCR primers that span the entire oriLyt region to reveal an evaluation of specific protein binding across oriLyt. UL84 interacted with several regions of oriLyt that contain C/EBPalpha transcription factor binding sites. Mutation of either of one of C/EBPalpha (92,526 or 92,535) sites inactivated oriLyt and resulted in the loss of binding of UL84. These data reveal the regions of interaction within oriLyt for several key replication proteins and show that the interaction between UL84 and C/EBPalpha sites within oriLyt is essential for lytic DNA replication.

The flexible loop of the human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase processivity factor ppUL44 is required for efficient DNA binding and replication in cells

Phosphoprotein ppUL44 of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA polymerase plays an essential role in viral replication, conferring processivity to the DNA polymerase catalytic subunit pUL54 by tethering it to the DNA. Here, for the first time, we examine in living cells the function of the highly flexible loop of ppUL44 (UL44-FL; residues 162 to 174 [PHTRVKRNVKKAP(174)]), which has been proposed to be directly involved in ppUL44's interaction with DNA. In particular, we use a variety of approaches in transfected cells to characterize in detail the behavior of ppUL44Deltaloop, a mutant derivative in which three of the five basic residues within UL44-FL are replaced by nonbasic amino acids. Our results indicate that ppUL44Deltaloop is functional in dimerization and binding to pUL54 but strongly impaired in binding nuclear structures within the nucleus, as shown by its inability to form nuclear speckles, reduced nuclear accumulation, and increased intranuclear mobility compared to wild-type ppUL44. Moreover, analysis of cellular fractions after detergent and DNase treatment indicates that ppUL44Deltaloop is strongly reduced in DNA-binding ability, in similar fashion to ppUL44-L86A/L87A, a point mutant derivative impaired in dimerization. Finally, ppUL44Deltaloop fails to transcomplement HCMV oriLyt-dependent DNA replication in cells and also inhibits replication in the presence of wild-type ppUL44, possibly via formation of heterodimers defective for double-stranded DNA binding. UL44-FL thus emerges for the first time as an important determinant for HCMV replication in cells, with potential implications for the development of novel antiviral approaches by targeting HCMV replication.

Analysis of the association of the human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase subunit UL44 with the viral DNA replication factor UL84

The central enzyme responsible for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA synthesis is a virally encoded DNA polymerase that includes a catalytic subunit, UL54, and a homodimeric accessory subunit, UL44, the presumptive HCMV DNA polymerase processivity factor. The structure of UL44 is similar to that of the eukaryotic processivity factor proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which interacts with numerous other proteins required for faithful DNA replication. We sought to determine whether, like PCNA, UL44 is capable of interacting with multiple DNA replication proteins and, if so, whether these proteins bind UL44 at the site corresponding to where multiple proteins bind to PCNA. Initially, several proteins, including the viral DNA replication factors UL84 and UL57, were identified by mass spectrometry in immunoprecipitates of UL44 from infected cell lysate. The association of UL44/UL84, but not UL44/UL57, was confirmed by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation of these proteins from infected cell lysates and was resistant to nuclease treatment. Yeast two-hybrid analyses demonstrated that the substitution of residues in UL44 that prevent UL44 homodimerization or abrogate the binding of UL54 to UL44 do not abrogate the UL44/UL84 interaction. Reciprocal glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pulldown experiments using bacterially expressed UL44 and UL84 confirmed these results and, further, demonstrated that a UL54-derived peptide that competes with UL54 for UL44 binding does not prevent the association of UL84 with UL44. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that UL44 and UL84 interact directly using a region of UL44 different from the UL54 binding site. Thus, UL44 can bind interacting replication proteins using a mechanism different from that of PCNA.