Herpesvirus saimiri encodes a functional homolog of the human bcl-2 oncogene.
Here we demonstrate that open reading frame 16 (ORF16) of the oncogenic herpesvirus saimiri protects cells from heterologous virus-induced apoptosis. The BH1 and BH2 homology domains are highly conserved in ORF16, and ORF16 heterodimerizes with Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak. However, ORF16 lacks the core sequence of the conserved BH3 homology domain, suggesting that this region is not essential for anti-apoptotic activity. Conservation of a functional bcl-2 homolog among gammaherpesviruses suggests that inhibition of programmed cell death is important in the biology of these viruses.
Nava
V E
VE
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Cheng
E H
EH
Veliuona
M
M
Zou
S
S
Clem
R J
RJ
Mayer
M L
ML
Hardwick
J M
JM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017209:Apoptosis; D006567:Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / Q000235:genetics*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
C083278:BHRF1 protein, Human herpesvirus 4; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014764:Viral Proteins