U_L38 is important for HCMV-induced metabolic reprogramming.

MRC5 cells were mock-infected, infected with a defective UL38 HCMV virus (ΔUL38) or infected with WT HCMV (WT) (MOI = 3). At 36hpi, medium was renewed, harvested 24h later (60hpi), and analyzed for changes in metabolite levels. (A) Western blot analysis of mock, ΔUL38- and HCMV-infected cells. (B-D) Changes in metabolic intermediates present in the conditioned medium were measured. Values are means ± SE (n = 4) (*pL38 HCMV virus (ΔUL38) or infected with WT HCMV (WT) (MOI = 3) and 24h after fresh medium was added. At 48hpi cells were quenched and extracted. Absolute intracellular metabolite concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS and normalized to protein levels. Values are means ± SE (n = 8). (*p<0.05, **p<0.01).