A viral gene that activates lytic cycle expression of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.
Herpesviruses exist in two states, latency and a lytic productive cycle. Here we identify an immediate-early gene encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)/human herpesvirus eight (HHV8) that activates lytic cycle gene expression from the latent viral genome. The gene is a homologue of Rta, a transcriptional activator encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). KSHV/Rta activated KSHV early lytic genes, including virus-encoded interleukin 6 and polyadenylated nuclear RNA, and a late gene, small viral capsid antigen. In cells dually infected with Epstein-Barr virus and KSHV, each Rta activated only autologous lytic cycle genes. Expression of viral cytokines under control of the KSHV/Rta gene is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of KSHV-associated diseases.
Sun
R
R
Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Genetics, Pediatrics, and Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Lin
S F
SF
Gradoville
L
L
Yuan
Y
Y
Zhu
F
F
Miller
G
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005814:Genes, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary