It will be important going forward to distinguish roles of UAF1-USP1 in regulating pSTAT1 relative to its role in the DNA damage response in HCMV infection.<h4>Importance</h4>Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of nine herpesviruses that infect humans. The gene discussed is WDR48; the disease is cytomegalovirus infection.