scholarly journals NF-κB Serves as a Cellular Sensor of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency and Negatively Regulates K-Rta by Antagonizing the RBP-Jκ Coactivator

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 4435-4446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Izumiya ◽  
Chie Izumiya ◽  
Datsun Hsia ◽  
Thomas J. Ellison ◽  
Paul A. Luciw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Protein ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Viral Promoters ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Successful viral replication is dependent on a conducive cellular environment; thus, viruses must be sensitive to the state of their host cells. We examined the idea that an interplay between viral and cellular regulatory factors determines the switch from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latency to lytic replication. The immediate-early gene product K-Rta is the first viral protein expressed and an essential factor in reactivation; accordingly, this viral protein is in a key position to serve as a viral sensor of cellular physiology. Our approach aimed to define a host transcription factor, i.e., host sensor, which modulates K-Rta activity on viral promoters. To this end, we developed a panel of reporter plasmids containing all 83 putative viral promoters for a comprehensive survey of the response to both K-Rta and cellular transcription factors. Interestingly, members of the NF-κB family were shown to be strong negative regulators of K-Rta transactivation for all but two viral promoters (Ori-RNA and K12). Recruitment of K-Rta to the ORF57 and K-bZIP promoters, but not the K12 promoter, was significantly impaired when NF-κB expression was induced. Many K-Rta-responsive promoters modulated by NF-κB contain the sequence of the RBP-Jκ binding site, a major coactivator which anchors K-Rta to target promoters via consensus motifs which overlap with that of NF-κB. Gel shift assays demonstrated that NF-κB inhibits the binding of RBP-Jκ and forms a complex with RBP-Jκ. Our results support a model in which a balance between K-Rta/RBP-Jκ and NF-κB activities determines KSHV reactivation. An important feature of this model is that the interplay between RBP-Jκ and NF-κB on viral promoters controls viral gene expression mediated by K-Rta.

scholarly journals Activation of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Major Latency Locus by the Lytic Switch Protein RTA (ORF50)

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (13) ◽  
pp. 8493-8505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoko Matsumura ◽  
Yuriko Fujita ◽  
Evan Gomez ◽  
Naoko Tanese ◽  
Angus C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Potent Inducer ◽  
Alternative Mrna Splicing ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) maintains a latent infection in primary effusion lymphoma cells but can be induced to enter full lytic replication by exposure to a variety of chemical inducing agents or by expression of the KSHV-encoded replication and transcription activator (RTA) protein. During latency, only a few viral genes are expressed, and these include the three genes of the so-called latency transcript (LT) cluster: v-FLIP (open reading frame 71 [ORF71]), v-cyclin (ORF72), and latency-associated nuclear antigen (ORF73). During latency, all three open reading frames are transcribed from a common promoter as part of a multicistronic mRNA. Subsequent alternative mRNA splicing and internal ribosome entry allows for the expression of each protein. Here, we show that transcription of LT cassette mRNA can be induced by RTA through the activation of a second promoter (LTi) immediately downstream of the constitutively active promoter (LTc). We identified a minimal cis-regulatory region, which overlaps with the promoter for the bicistronic K14/v-GPCR delayed early gene that is transcribed in the opposite direction. In addition to a TATA box at −30 relative to the LTi mRNA start sites, we identified three separate RTA response elements that are also utilized by the K14/v-GPCR promoter. Interestingly, LTi is unresponsive to sodium butyrate, a potent inducer of lytic replication. This suggests there is a previously unrecognized class of RTA-responsive promoters that respond to direct, but not indirect, induction of RTA. These studies highlight the fact that induction method can influence the precise program of viral gene expression during early events in reactivation and also suggest a mechanism by which RTA contributes to establishment of latency during de novo infections.

scholarly journals Virus-Like Vesicles of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Activate Lytic Replication by Triggering Differentiation Signaling

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danyang Gong ◽  
Xinghong Dai ◽  
Yuchen Xiao ◽  
Yushen Du ◽  
Travis J. Chapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Productive Infection ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Virus-like vesicles (VLVs) are membrane-enclosed vesicles that resemble native enveloped viruses in organization but lack the viral capsid and genome. During the productive infection of tumor-associated gammaherpesviruses, both virions and VLVs are produced and are released into the extracellular space. However, studies of gammaherpesvirus-associated VLVs have been largely restricted by the technical difficulty of separating VLVs from mature virions. Here we report a strategy of selectively isolating VLVs by using a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) mutant that is defective in small capsid protein and is unable to produce mature virions. Using mass spectrometry analysis, we found that VLVs contained viral glycoproteins required for cellular entry, as well as tegument proteins involved in regulating lytic replication, but lacked capsid proteins. Functional analysis showed that VLVs induced the expression of the viral lytic activator RTA, initiating KSHV lytic gene expression. Furthermore, employing RNA sequencing, we performed a genomewide analysis of cellular responses triggered by VLVs and found that PRDM1, a master regulator in cell differentiation, was significantly upregulated. In the context of KSHV replication, we demonstrated that VLV-induced upregulation of PRDM1 was necessary and sufficient to reactivate KSHV by activating its RTA promoter. In sum, our study systematically examined the composition of VLVs and demonstrated their biological roles in manipulating host cell responses and facilitating KSHV lytic replication. IMPORTANCE Cells lytically infected with tumor-associated herpesviruses produce a high proportion of virus-like vesicles (VLVs). The composition and function of VLVs have not been well defined, largely due to the inability to efficiently isolate VLVs that are free of virions. Using a cell system capable of establishing latent KSHV infection and robust reactivation, we successfully isolated VLVs from a KSHV mutant defective in the small capsid protein. We quantitatively analyzed proteins and microRNAs in VLVs and characterized the roles of VLVs in manipulating host cells and facilitating viral infection. More importantly, we demonstrated that by upregulating PRDM1 expression, VLVs triggered differentiation signaling in targeted cells and facilitated viral lytic infection via activation of the RTA promoter. Our study not only demonstrates a new strategy for isolating VLVs but also shows the important roles of KSHV-associated VLVs in intercellular communication and the viral life cycle.

scholarly journals Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Protein LANA2 Disrupts PML Oncogenic Domains and Inhibits PML-Mediated Transcriptional Repression of the Survivin Gene

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (17) ◽  
pp. 8849-8858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marcos-Villar ◽  
Fernando Lopitz-Otsoa ◽  
Pedro Gallego ◽  
Cesar Muñoz-Fontela ◽  
José González-Santamaría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Viral Protein ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Infection by herpesviruses causes a dramatic disturbance of PML oncogenic domains (PODs) that has been suggested to be essential for viral lytic replication. Several proteins from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) have been tested as putative POD-disrupting factors with negative results. Here, we show that LANA2, a viral protein that is absolutely required for the viability and proliferation of KSHV-infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, increases the levels of SUMO2-ubiquitin-modified PML and induces the disruption of PODs by a proteasome-mediated mechanism. In addition, we demonstrate that this disruption is largely dependent on both the integrity of a SUMO interaction motif in LANA2 and the lysine 160 from PML. Moreover, silencing of LANA2 expression in PEL cells by RNA interference led to an increase in the PML levels. Finally, we demonstrate that LANA2 relieves PML-mediated transcriptional repression of survivin, a protein that directly contributes to malignant progression of PEL. This represents the first example of inactivation of these important antiviral structures by KSHV.

scholarly journals ORF33 and ORF38 of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Interact and Are Required for Optimal Production of Infectious Progeny Viruses

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1741-1756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-jun Wu ◽  
Denis Avey ◽  
Wenwei Li ◽  
Joseph Gillen ◽  
Bishi Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Virus Propagation ◽  
Progeny Virion ◽  
Cytoplasmic Vesicles ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACTWe recently showed that the interaction between Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) tegument proteins ORF33 and ORF45 is crucial for progeny virion production, but the exact functions of KSHV ORF33 during lytic replication were unknown (J. Gillen, W. Li, Q. Liang, D. Avey, J. Wu, F. Wu, J. Myoung, and F. Zhu, J Virol89:4918–4931, 2015,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.02925-14). Therefore, here we investigated the relationship between ORF33 and ORF38, whose counterparts in both alpha- and betaherpesviruses interact with each other. Using specific monoclonal antibodies, we found that both proteins are expressed during the late lytic cycle with similar kinetics and that both are present in mature virions as components of the tegument. Furthermore, we confirmed that ORF33 interacts with ORF38. Interestingly, we observed that ORF33 tightly associates with the capsid, whereas ORF38 associates with the envelope. We generated ORF33-null, ORF38-null, and double-null mutants and found that these mutants apparently have identical phenotypes: the mutations caused no apparent effect on viral gene expression but reduced the yield of progeny virion by about 10-fold. The progeny virions also lack certain virion component proteins, including ORF45. During viral lytic replication, the virions associate with cytoplasmic vesicles. We also observed that ORF38 associates with the membranes of vesicles and colocalizes with the Golgi membrane or early endosome membrane. Further analyses of ORF33/ORF38 mutants revealed the reduced production of virion-containing vesicles, suggesting that ORF33 and ORF38 are involved in the transport of newly assembled viral particles into cytoplasmic vesicles, a process important for viral maturation and egress.IMPORTANCEHerpesvirus assembly is an essential step in virus propagation that leads to the generation of progeny virions. It is a complicated process that depends on the delicate regulation of interactions among virion proteins. We previously revealed an essential role of ORF45-ORF33 binding for virus assembly. Here, we report that ORF33 and its binding partner, ORF38, are required for infectious virus production due to their important role in the tegumentation process. Moreover, we found that both ORF33 and ORF38 are involved in the transportation of virions through vesicles during maturation and egress. Our results provide new insights into the important roles of ORF33 and ORF38 during viral assembly, a process critical for virus propagation that is intimately linked to KSHV pathobiology.

scholarly journals Principal Role of TRAP/Mediator and SWI/SNF Complexes in Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus RTA-Mediated Lytic Reactivation

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 2055-2067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousang Gwack ◽  
Hwa Jin Baek ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakamura ◽  
Sun Hwa Lee ◽  
Michael Meisterernst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Lytic Reactivation ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT An important step in the herpesvirus life cycle is the switch from latency to lytic reactivation. The RTA transcription activator of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) acts as a molecular switch for lytic reactivation. Here we demonstrate that KSHV RTA recruits CBP, the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, and the TRAP/Mediator coactivator into viral promoters through interactions with a short acidic sequence in the carboxyl region and that this recruitment is essential for RTA-dependent viral gene expression. The Brg1 subunit of SWI/SNF and the TRAP230 subunit of TRAP/Mediator were shown to interact directly with RTA. Consequently, genetic ablation of these interactions abolished KSHV lytic replication. These results demonstrate that the recruitment of CBP, SWI/SNF, and TRAP/Mediator complexes by RTA is the principal mechanism to direct well-controlled viral gene expression and thereby viral lytic reactivation.

scholarly journals Experimental Transmission of Kaposi's Sarcoma–Associated Herpesvirus (Kshv/Hhv-8) to Scid-Hu Thy/Liv Mice

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (12) ◽  
pp. 1857-1868 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Dittmer ◽  
C. Stoddart ◽  
R. Renne ◽  
V. Linquist-Stepps ◽  
M.E. Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Hiv 1

Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) is a novel human lymphotropic herpesvirus linked to several human neoplasms. To date, no animal model for infection by this virus has been described. We have examined the susceptibility of C.B-17 scid/scid mice implanted with human fetal thymus and liver grafts (SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice) to KSHV infection. KSHV virions were inoculated directly into the implants, and viral DNA and mRNA production was assayed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This revealed a biphasic infection, with an early phase of lytic replication accompanied and followed by sustained latency. Ultraviolet irradiation of the inoculum abolished all DNA- and mRNA-derived signals, and infection was inhibited by ganciclovir. Viral gene expression was most abundant in CD19+ B lymphocytes, suggesting that this model faithfully mimics the natural tropism of this virus. Short-term coinfection with HIV-1 did not alter the course of KSHV replication, nor did KSHV alter levels of HIV-1 p24 during the acute phase of the infection. Although no disease was evident in infected animals, SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice should allow the detailed study of KSHV tropism, latency, and drug susceptibility.

scholarly journals The ORF45 Protein of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Is Associated with Purified Virions

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 4221-4230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Xiu Zhu ◽  
Yan Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF45 is encoded by an immediate-early gene in the KSHV genome. This protein was recently shown to interact with interferon regulatory factor 7 and inhibit virus-mediated alpha/beta interferon induction (Zhu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:5573-5578, 2002). ORF45 was characterized as a phosphorylated protein, and it is localized in the cytoplasm of infected cells. In this report, we provide evidence that ORF45 is associated with KSHV virions. (i) ORF45 was detected in gradient-purified virions by Western blotting along with known structural proteins of KSHV including gB, K8.1, and major capsid protein. In contrast, ORF50/Rta, K8α, and ORF59/PF8 were not detected in the same virion preparation. (ii) ORF45 comigrates with KSHV virions in sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. (iii) Virion-associated ORF45 was resistant to trypsin digestion but became sensitive after the virions were treated with detergent which destroys the viral envelope. (iv) ORF45 remained associated with tegument-nucleocapsid complex when virion-specific glycoproteins were removed after detergent treatment. (v) An ORF45 protein band was visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of extensively purified KSHV virions and identified by mass spectrometry. (vi) By immunoelectron microscopy, virus-like structures were specifically stained by anti-ORF45 antibody. Based on the evidence, we conclude that ORF45 is associated with purified KSHV virions and appears to be a tegument protein. The presence of ORF45 in KSHV virions raised the possibility that this protein may be delivered to host cells at the start of infection and therefore have the opportunity to act at the very early stage of the infection, suggesting an important role of ORF45 in KSHV primary infection.

scholarly journals The Tudor SND1 protein is an m6A RNA reader essential for replication of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Baquero-Perez ◽  
Agne Antanaviciute ◽  
Ivaylo D Yonchev ◽  
Ian M Carr ◽  
Stuart A Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reading Ability ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Rna Modification ◽  
Royal Family ◽  
Cellular Mrnas ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal RNA modification of cellular mRNAs. m6A is recognised by YTH domain-containing proteins, which selectively bind to m6A-decorated RNAs regulating their turnover and translation. Using an m6A-modified hairpin present in the Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF50 RNA, we identified seven members from the ‘Royal family’ as putative m6A readers, including SND1. RIP-seq and eCLIP analysis characterised the SND1 binding profile transcriptome-wide, revealing SND1 as an m6A reader. We further demonstrate that the m6A modification of the ORF50 RNA is critical for SND1 binding, which in turn stabilises the ORF50 transcript. Importantly, SND1 depletion leads to inhibition of KSHV early gene expression showing that SND1 is essential for KSHV lytic replication. This work demonstrates that members of the ‘Royal family’ have m6A-reading ability, greatly increasing their epigenetic functions beyond protein methylation.

scholarly journals Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Replication Interferes with mTORC1 Regulation of Autophagy and Viral Protein Synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Pringle ◽  
Carolyn-Ann Robinson ◽  
Craig McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Viral Protein ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Viral Protein Synthesis ◽  
Global Protein Synthesis ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a master regulator of cellular metabolism. In nutrient-rich environments, mTORC1 kinase activity stimulates protein synthesis to meet cellular anabolic demands. Under nutrient-poor conditions or under stress, mTORC1 is rapidly inhibited, global protein synthesis is arrested, and a cellular catabolic process known as autophagy is activated. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes multiple proteins that stimulate mTORC1 activity or subvert autophagy, but precise roles for mTORC1 in different stages of KSHV infection remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that during latent and lytic stages of KSHV infection, chemical inhibition of mTORC1 caused eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) disassembly and diminished global protein synthesis, which indicated that mTORC1-mediated control of translation initiation was largely intact. We observed that mTORC1 was required for synthesis of the replication and transcription activator (RTA) lytic switch protein and reactivation from latency, but once early lytic gene expression had begun, mTORC1 was not required for genome replication, late gene expression, or the release of infectious progeny. Moreover, mTORC1 control of autophagy was dysregulated during lytic replication, whereby chemical inhibition of mTORC1 prevented ULK1 phosphorylation but did not affect autophagosome formation or rates of autophagic flux. Together, these findings suggest that mTORC1 is dispensable for viral protein synthesis and viral control of autophagy during lytic infection and that KSHV undermines mTORC1-dependent cellular processes during the lytic cycle to ensure efficient viral replication. IMPORTANCE All viruses require host cell machinery to synthesize viral proteins. A host cell protein complex known as mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a master regulator of protein synthesis. Under nutrient-rich conditions, mTORC1 is active and promotes protein synthesis to meet cellular anabolic demands. Under nutrient-poor conditions or under stress, mTORC1 is rapidly inhibited, global protein synthesis is arrested, and a cellular catabolic process known as autophagy is activated. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) stimulates mTORC1 activity and utilizes host machinery to synthesize viral proteins. However, we discovered that mTORC1 activity was largely dispensable for viral protein synthesis, genome replication, and the release of infectious progeny. Likewise, during lytic replication, mTORC1 was no longer able to control autophagy. These findings suggest that KSHV undermines mTORC1-dependent cellular processes during the lytic cycle to ensure efficient viral replication.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Downregulation of ORF50/Rta by Methotrexate Inhibits the Switch of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8 from Latency to Lytic Replication

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 5208-5219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Curreli ◽  
Francesca Cerimele ◽  
Sumitra Muralidhar ◽  
Leonard J. Rosenthal ◽  
Ethel Cesarman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a cellular dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) homologue. Methotrexate (MTX), a potent anti-inflammatory agent, inhibits cellular DHFR activity. We investigated the effect of noncytotoxic doses of MTX on latency and lytic KSHV replication in two KSHV-infected primary effusion lymphoma cell lines (BC-3 and BC-1) and in MTX-resistant BC-3 cells (MTX-R-BC-3 cells). Treatment with MTX completely prevented tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-induced viral DNA replication and strongly decreased viral lytic transcript levels, even in MTX-resistant cells. However, the same treatment had no effect on transcription of cellular genes and KSHV latent genes. One of the lytic transcripts inhibited by MTX, ORF50/Rta (open reading frame), is an immediate-early gene encoding a replication-transcription activator required for expression of other viral lytic genes. Therefore, transcription of genes downstream of ORF50/Rta was inhibited, including those encoding the viral G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), viral interleukin-6, and K12/kaposin, which have been shown to be transforming in vitro and oncogenic in mice. Resistance to MTX has been documented in cultured cells and also in patients treated with this drug. However, MTX showed an inhibitory activity even in MTX-R-BC-3 cells. Two currently available antiherpesvirus drugs, cidofovir and foscarnet, had no effect on the transcription of these viral oncogenes and ORF50/Rta. MTX is the first example of a compound shown to downregulate the expression of ORF50/Rta and therefore prevent viral transforming gene transcription. Given that the expression of these genes may be important for tumor development, MTX could play a role in the future management of KSHV-associated malignancies.

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