title: Protection against apoptosis by the vaccinia virus SPI-2 (B13R) gene product.
abstract: Vaccinia virus contains a gene, termed SPI-2 or B13R, that is closely related in its sequence to a potent inhibitor of apoptosis from cowpox virus (crmA). Infection by vaccinia virus protects HeLa cells against apoptosis that is induced by an immunoglobulin M antibody against the fas receptor or by tumor necrosis factor alpha. This effect is profoundly reduced when the SPI-2 gene is deleted. The SPI-2 gene, when transiently expressed in these cells, can also protect against apoptosis mediated by these agents. Given the similarity to crmA, it seems likely that SPI-2 functions in an analogous fashion, inhibiting the activity of ICE protease family members and blocking the onset of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, New Jersey 08544-1014, USA. mdobbelstein@watson.princeton.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobbelstein
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shenk
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D015608:Cowpox virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D015843:Serpins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D015843:Serpins; D014764:Viral Proteins; C074641:interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme inhibitor; D003513:Cycloheximide