The Rta/Orf50 transactivator proteins of the gamma-herpesviridae

Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2007:312:71-100. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-34344-8_3.

Abstract

The replication and transcription activator protein, Rta, is encoded by Orf50 in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other known gammaherpesviruses including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV), herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), and murine herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68). Each Rta/Orf50 homologue of each gammaherpesvirus plays a pivotal role in the initiation of viral lytic gene expression and lytic reactivation from latency. Here we discuss the Rta/Orf50 of KSHV in comparison to the Rta/Orf50s of other gammaherpesviruses in an effort to identify structural motifs, mechanisms of action, and modulating host factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Genes, Immediate-Early
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / chemistry
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Rhadinovirus / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / physiology*
  • Virus Activation

Substances

  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Rta protein, Human herpesvirus 8
  • Trans-Activators
  • Viral Proteins