The human herpesvirus 8 homolog of Epstein-Barr virus SM protein (KS-SM) is a posttranscriptional activator of gene expression.
Homologs of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein exist in several human and nonhuman herpesviruses. Structure and function differ significantly among these proteins. We have cloned and characterized the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) gene, KS-SM, which is homologous to the EBV SM and herpes simplex virus ICP27 genes, from an HHV8-infected primary effusion lymphoma. KS-SM is shown to be a posttranscriptional activator of gene expression in cotransfection studies. KS-SM activated gene expression in a gene-specific, promoter-independent manner. In particular, KS-SM enhanced the expression of KDR/flk-1, a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in cotransfection studies. Since expression of KDR/flk-1 is increased in Kaposi's sarcoma and HHV8-infected cell cultures and VEGF enhances the proliferation of HHV8-infected cells, KS-SM may play a pathogenic role in Kaposi's sarcoma.
Gupta
A K
AK
Sealy Center for Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.
Ruvolo
V
V
Patterson
C
C
Swaminathan
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015870:Gene Expression; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D005814:Genes, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C403495:KS-SM protein, Human herpesvirus 8; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C090236:SM protein, Human herpesvirus 4; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins