Journal of Virology, August 2008, p. 7251, Vol. 82, No. 15
0022-538X/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JVI.01175-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
| SPOTLIGHT |
Articles of Significant Interest Selected from This Issue by the Editors
A Herpes Simplex Virus Protein Required for Microtubular TrafficThe herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) gene UL36 encodes a 3,164-amino-acid protein (UL36p) that lies between the HSV-1 capsid and its surrounding envelope. UL36p is an essential viral protein of unclear function. Using an in vitro system, Shanda and Wilson (p. 7388-7394) report that UL36p is required for trafficking of viral particles along microtubules. This study reveals a role for this poorly characterized viral protein in microtubule-dependent egress of HSV-1 from cells.
New Insights into Papillomavirus Genome Tethering
The E2 protein of several papillomaviruses links the viral genome to mitotic chromosomes in complex with the cellular bromodomain protein, Brd4, to ensure efficient partitioning of viral DNA to daughter cells. Cardenas-Mora et al. (p. 7298-7305) show that dimerization of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 E2 protein is required for both E2-Brd4 complex formation and E2-Brd4 binding to mitotic chromosomes. This work provides a window into an interaction that is pivotal to the papillomavirus life cycle.
The Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Helicase Domain Plays a Critical Role in Early Virion Assembly
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protein possesses three distinct enzymatic activities that are required for replication of viral RNA: serine protease, helicase, and NTPase. Ma et al. (p. 7624-7639) present novel genetic data showing that residues within the NS3 helicase domain also function to facilitate an early step in infectious particle assembly. Interestingly, NS3 participates in the formation of high-density intracellular HCV particles. These results formally identify NS3 as a virus assembly factor and reveal yet another NS3 function that could be targeted by candidate small-molecule therapeutics.
Altered DNA Damage Signaling in Gammaherpesvirus-Infected B Cells
Gammaherpesviruses establish lifelong latent infections that are associated with lymphomas and other malignancies. Forrest and Speck (p. 7688-7699) generated an antibiotic-selectable recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) to establish latently infected mature B-cell lines. DNA damage-inducing drugs, including etoposide, elicit viral lytic gene expression in these cells. In comparison to uninfected cells, treatment of infected cells with etoposide altered phosphorylation events in the DNA-damage cascade, which correlated with enhanced cell death. This work demonstrates viral abrogation of an undefined host tumor suppressor pathway during latency and highlights a new tool for analyzing gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis.
Interspecies Transmission of Simian Foamy Virus in a Natural Predator-Prey System
Simian foamy viruses (SFV) have been coevolving with their host species for about 30 million years. Leendertz et al. (p. 7741-7744) show that, in addition to coevolution, interspecies transmission of SFV occurs in a natural hunter-prey system. Chimpanzees infected with typical chimpanzee SFV strains are coinfected with SFVs from their prey, colobus monkeys. These findings indicate that primates are susceptible to SFV superinfection with highly divergent strains from other primate species.
Journal of Virology, August 2008, p. 7251, Vol. 82, No. 15
0022-538X/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JVI.01175-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
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