KEGG pathway analysis of the Herpes simplex host/pathogen interactome

During its life cycle the herpes simplex virus interacts with a number of host proteins (see database ). KEGG pathway analysis of these proteins illustrates the cellular processes usurped by the virus: for example adhesion molecules that are used for entry,  endocytosis pathways, the actin skeleton or protein processing, and shows where the virus interferes with key immune related processes, for example antigen processing. The use of these proteins by the virus interferes with their normal function. Interestingly, a number of these pathways are related to human disease, including Alzheimer's disease. HSV-1 infection has been reported as a risk factor in Alzheimer's disease, and a number of key Alzheimer's disease gene products are also involved in the viral life cycle (see database)  The proteins used by the virus are also implicated in a number of pathogen entry pathways, for example Toxoplasmosis or Helicobacter Pylori infection, suggesting that one infection may influence another. These types of interactomes are useful for determining sites of viral interference from the host's perspective.

Other pathways