A herpesvirus saimiri protein required for interleukin-2 independence is associated with membranes of transformed T cells.
A region of the herpesvirus saimiri genome encoding an mRNA with two open reading frames (ORFs) has been identified to be essential for transformation of T cells. Deletion of either ORF resulted in the loss of transforming ability. ORF-1 has been shown to code for a collagen-like oncoprotein. This study shows for the first time that the bicistronic mRNA can translate a 32-kDa protein from ORF-2. Polyclonal serum to ORF-2 was generated by using a glutathione fusion protein. Using this antiserum, ORF-2 was localized in cell membranes and is expressed on the outer cell membrane. The half-life of this membrane protein was found to be about 5.5 h. Limited sequence similarity was found between ORF-2 and interleukin-11; however, no secretion of ORF-2 protein was detected in supernatants from transformed cells. Further studies are required to investigate the potential interaction with the interleukin-11 receptor.
Lund
T
T
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612-4799, USA.
Medveczky
M M
MM
Geck
P
P
Medveczky
P G
PG
D000818:Animals; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D006567:Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / Q000235:genetics*; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000502:physiology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D011817:Rabbits; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D017370:Interleukin-11; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins