Viral interactions with the Notch pathway

Semin Cancer Biol. 2004 Oct;14(5):387-96. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2004.04.018.

Abstract

The Notch signaling pathway influences cell fate decisions, proliferation versus differentiation and cell survival. Viruses both utilize and manipulate the differentiation state of infected cells, promote or block cell cycling and employ a variety of mechanisms to evade innate cellular anti-viral responses and promote cell survival. In light of these commonalities, it is perhaps not surprising that several viruses have tapped into the Notch pathway to advance their own life cycles. This first became apparent from studies showing targeting of Epstein-Barr virus proteins to the nuclear effector of Notch signaling CSL (CBF1/RBPJk). More recently the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus RTA protein has been found to bind CSL. Notch pathway interactions have also been described for adenovirus SV40 and human papilloma virus. This review focuses on the herpesvirus protein interactions with the Notch pathway and the insights that these interactions have provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / metabolism
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / physiology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Signal Transduction
  • Viral Proteins

Substances

  • EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Viral Proteins