Human cytomegalovirus infection inhibits cell cycle progression at multiple points, including the transition from G₁ to S

Human cytomegalovirus inhibits the growth of human foreskin fibroblast cells by 12 h after infection. Analysis of the cellular DNA content of infected cells by flow cytometry demonstrated thai cytomegalovirus does not arrest cell cycle progression at a single point. At least two blockages occur, one of which is in the G₁ phase of the cell cycle. The G₁ arrest introduced by cytomegalovirus infection blocks S-phase entry after serum stimulation.