Moreover, we compared the activity of caspase-3, the final executor of the apoptotic cascade, in cells treated with either TH-EGO, EDOT-EGO or DMSO at different time points after HCMV infection to definitively corroborate the pro-apoptotic effect of SLs on infected cells, as caspases play a central role in mediating various apoptotic responses. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is cytomegalovirus infection.