Open AccessThe Human Herpesvirus 8 Homolog of Epstein-Barr Virus SM Protein (KS-SM) Is a Posttranscriptional Activator of Gene Expression
Author(s) -
Ashish Gupta,
Vivian Ruvolo,
W. Cam Patterson,
Sankar Swaminathan
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.617
H-Index - 292
eISSN - 1070-6321
pISSN - 0022-538X
DOI - 10.1128/jvi.74.2.1038-1044.2000
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , primary effusion lymphoma , gene , activator (genetics) , virology , virus , gene expression , kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus , herpes simplex virus , epstein–barr virus , herpesviridae , cancer research , genetics , viral disease
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.