Open AccessEpstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein LMP-2A Is Sufficient for Transactivation of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus HERV-K18 Superantigen
Author(s) -
Natalie Sutkowski,
Gang Chen,
Germán Calderón,
Brigitte Huber
Publication year - 2004
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.78.14.7852-7860.2004
Subject(s) - superantigen , transactivation , biology , retrovirus , virology , endogenous retrovirus , endogeny , epstein–barr virus , virus , gene , t cell , immunology , genetics , gene expression , genome , immune system , endocrinology
Superantigens are microbial proteins that strongly stimulate T cells. We described previously that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transactivates a superantigen encoded by the human endogenous retrovirus, HERV-K18. We now report that the transactivation is dependent upon the EBV latent cycle proteins. Moreover, LMP-2A is sufficient for induction of HERV-K18 superantigen activity.