Knock-down of THY-1 expression with specific siRNAs blocked HCMV-induced phosphorylation of Akt at 15 min post-infection and reduced HCMV infectivity within the first 60 min of infection (Figs 8A and 8B and S12) compared with control siRNAs (p = 0.01, 6 independent experiments). This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and infection.