GTPase GBP7 promotes HSV-1 infection by interacting with and activating eEF1A1 to accelerate the protein translation process.

GBP7 enhances HSV-1 infection by activating eEF1A1 through its GTPase activity, promoting protein translation and viral replication.

• Why it matters: Understanding how host immune GTPases influence viral replication can reveal new therapeutic targets; GBP7's role was previously less studied.
• What they did: Researchers used in vitro and in vivo models, including GBP7 knockdown and knockout mice, immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry, and binding assays to investigate GBP7's function and interactions.
• The result: Findings show GBP7's GTPase activity is essential for its role in promoting HSV-1 replication, and a novel inhibitor, SAH, effectively suppresses infection, suggesting potential for host-targeted antiviral strategies.