title: HCMV-encoded G-protein-coupled receptors as constitutively active modulators of cellular signaling networks.
abstract: Several herpesviruses encode G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) proteins that are homologous to human chemokine receptors. In contrast to chemokine receptors, many vGPCRs signal in a ligand-independent (constitutive) manner. Such constitutive signaling is of major significance because various pathologies are associated with activating GPCR mutations. Constitutive activity of the human herpesvirus 8-encoded GPCR (ORF74), for example, is essential for its oncogenic potential to cause angioproliferative Kaposi's sarcoma-like lesions. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes four GPCRs, of which US28 and UL33 display constitutive activity in transfected, but also HCMV-infected, cells. In addition, US28 is activated by a broad spectrum of chemokines. Furthermore, both US28 and UL33 show promiscuous G-protein coupling, whereas chemokine receptors activate primarily G(i/o) proteins. Thus, these vGPCRs are versatile signaling devices, reprogramming cellular signaling networks to modulate cellular function after infection. By these means, these HCMV-encoded receptors might contribute to HCMV-related pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henry F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Vischer
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leurs
authors.forename: Martine J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C461643:UL33 protein, human cytomegalovirus; C461644:US27 protein, human cytomegalovirus; C411191:US28 receptor, Cytomegalovirus; D014764:Viral Proteins