title: Unexpected structure of Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle activator Zta.
abstract: The key viral gene responsible for initiating the replicative cycle of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), termed BZLF1, encodes the multifunctional protein Zta (ZEBRA or Z). It interacts with DNA as both a transcription and a replication factor, modulates both intracellular signal transduction and the DNA-damage response and manipulates cell cycle progression. Muller and colleagues have resolved the structure of Zta bound to DNA, which confirms some structural predictions but reveals an unexpected twist and a complex dimerization interface. Because EBV is associated with human disease, Zta presents a prime target for drug design.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK. A.J.Sinclair@sussex.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017735:Virus Latency; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: C063676:BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004247:DNA