We found that 1) ATF5 and IE antigens are expressed in different histological types of gliomas but not in non-cancer samples; 2) HCMV infection or IE protein expression enhance glioma cells survivability subject to apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and promote tumor growth of glioma cells in vivo via regulating ATF5 expression and post-translational modification; 3) IE protein can interact with N-terminal Pro-rich domain of ATF5 and promote ATF5 acetylation through P300. This evidence concerns the gene ATF5 and cytomegalovirus infection.