scholarly journals Regulation of KSHV Latency and Lytic Reactivation

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1034
Author(s):  
Grant Broussard ◽  
Blossom Damania
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Viral Life Cycle ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Lytic Reactivation

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with three malignancies— Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD). Central to the pathogenesis of these diseases is the KSHV viral life cycle, which is composed of a quiescent latent phase and a replicative lytic phase. While the establishment of latency enables persistent KSHV infection and evasion of the host immune system, lytic replication is essential for the dissemination of the virus between hosts and within the host itself. The transition between these phases, known as lytic reactivation, is controlled by a complex set of environmental, host, and viral factors. The effects of these various factors converge on the regulation of two KSHV proteins whose functions facilitate each phase of the viral life cycle—latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) and the master switch of KSHV reactivation, replication and transcription activator (RTA). This review presents the current understanding of how the transition between the phases of the KSHV life cycle is regulated, how the various phases contribute to KSHV pathogenesis, and how the viral life cycle can be exploited as a therapeutic target.

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 Expression and Subcellular Localization of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus K15P Protein during Latency and Lytic Reactivation in Primary Effusion Lymphoma Cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin G. Smith ◽  
Himanshu Kharkwal ◽  
Duncan W. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Lytic Reactivation ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Different Molecular Weight

ABSTRACT The K15P membrane protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) interacts with multiple cellular signaling pathways and is thought to play key roles in KSHV-associated endothelial cell angiogenesis, regulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, and the survival, activation, and proliferation of BCR-negative primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. Although full-length K15P is ∼45 kDa, numerous lower-molecular-weight forms of the protein exist as a result of differential splicing and poorly characterized posttranslational processing. K15P has been reported to localize to numerous subcellular organelles in heterologous expression studies, but there are limited data concerning the sorting of K15P in KSHV-infected cells. The relationships between the various molecular weight forms of K15P, their subcellular distribution, and how these may differ in latent and lytic KSHV infections are poorly understood. Here we report that a cDNA encoding a full-length, ∼45-kDa K15P reporter protein is expressed as an ∼23- to 24-kDa species that colocalizes with the trans-Golgi network (TGN) marker TGN46 in KSHV-infected PEL cells. Following lytic reactivation by sodium butyrate, the levels of the ∼23- to 24-kDa protein diminish, and the full-length, ∼45-kDa K15P protein accumulates. This is accompanied by apparent fragmentation of the TGN and redistribution of K15P to a dispersed peripheral location. Similar results were seen when lytic reactivation was stimulated by the KSHV protein replication and transcription activator (RTA) and during spontaneous reactivation. We speculate that expression of different molecular weight forms of K15P in distinct cellular locations reflects the alternative demands placed upon the protein in the latent and lytic phases. IMPORTANCE The K15P protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is thought to play key roles in disease, including KSHV-associated angiogenesis and the survival and growth of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. The protein exists in multiple molecular weight forms, and its intracellular trafficking is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the molecular weight form of a reporter K15P molecule and its intracellular distribution change when KSHV switches from its latent (quiescent) phase to the lytic, infectious state. We speculate that expression of different molecular weight forms of K15P in distinct cellular locations reflects the alternative demands placed upon the protein in the viral latent and lytic stages.

scholarly journals Induction of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen by the Lytic Transactivator RTA: a Novel Mechanism for Establishment of Latency

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 7453-7465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Lan ◽  
Daniel A. Kuppers ◽  
Subhash C. Verma ◽  
Nikhil Sharma ◽  
Masanao Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent contributing to development of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman desease. Following primary infection, latency is typically established. However, the mechanism by which KSHV establishes latency is not understood. We have reported that the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) can repress RTA (for replication and transcription activator) expression by down-regulating its promoter. In this study, we show that RTA is associated with the virion particle. We also show that RTA can activate the LANA promoter and induce LANA expression in transient reporter assays. Additionally, the transcription of RTA correlates with LANA expression in the early stages of de novo infection of KSHV, and induction of LANA transcription is responsive to induction of RTA with an inducible system. This induction in LANA transcription was dependent on recombination signal sequence binding protein Jκ (RBP-Jκ), as a RBP-Jκ-deficient cell line was significantly delayed and inefficient in LANA transcription with expression of RTA. These studies suggest that RTA contributes to establishment of KSHV latency by activating LANA expression in the early stages of infection by utilizing the major effector of the Notch signaling pathway RBP-Jκ. This describes a feedback mechanism by which LANA and RTA can regulate each other and is likely to be a key event in the establishment of KSHV latency.

scholarly journals Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latent Protein LANA Interacts with HIF-1α To Upregulate RTA Expression during Hypoxia: Latency Control under Low Oxygen Conditions

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
pp. 7965-7975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiliang Cai ◽  
Ke Lan ◽  
Subhash C. Verma ◽  
Huaxin Si ◽  
Doug Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Hypoxia can induce lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. However, the molecular mechanism of lytic reactivation of KSHV by hypoxia remains unclear. Here we show that the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), which plays a crucial role in modulating viral and cellular gene expression, directly associated with a low oxygen responder, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). LANA enhanced not only the transcriptional activities of HIF-1α but also its mRNA level. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies documented a physical interaction between LANA and HIF-1α in transiently transfected 293T cells as well as in PEL cell lines during hypoxia. Through sequence analysis, several putative hypoxia response elements (HRE-1 to -6) were identified in the essential lytic gene Rta promoter. Reporter assays showed that HRE-2 (−1130 to −1123) and HRE-5 and HRE-6 (+234 to +241 and +812 to +820, respectively, within the intron sequence) were necessary and sufficient for the LANA-mediated HIF-1α response. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed HIF-1α-dependent binding of a LANA protein complex specifically to the HRE-2, -5, and -6 motifs within the promoter regulatory sequences. This study demonstrates that hypoxia-induced KSHV lytic replication is mediated at least in part through cooperation of HIF-1α with LANA bound to the HRE motifs of the Rta promoter.

scholarly journals Cellular Corepressor TLE2 Inhibits Replication-and-Transcription- Activator-Mediated Transactivation and Lytic Reactivation of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

2009 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 2047-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiheng He ◽  
Yunhua Liu ◽  
Deguang Liang ◽  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
Erle S. Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Rich Domain ◽  
Lytic Reactivation ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Replication and transcription activator (RTA) encoded by open reading frame 50 (ORF50) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is essential and sufficient to initiate lytic reactivation. RTA activates its target genes through direct binding with high affinity to its responsive elements or by interaction with cellular factors, such as RBP-Jκ, Ap-1, C/EBP-α, and Oct-1. In this study, we identified transducin-like enhancer of split 2 (TLE2) as a novel RTA binding protein by using yeast two-hybrid screening of a human spleen cDNA library. The interaction between TLE2 and RTA was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase (GST) binding and coimmunoprecipitation assays. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that TLE2 and RTA were colocalized in the same nuclear compartment in KSHV-infected cells. This interaction recruited TLE2 to RTA bound to its recognition sites on DNA and repressed RTA auto-activation and transactivation activity. Moreover, TLE2 also inhibited the induction of lytic replication and virion production driven by RTA. We further showed that the Q (Gln-rich), SP (Ser-Pro-rich), and WDR (Trp-Asp repeat) domains of TLE2 and the Pro-rich domain of RTA were essential for this interaction. RBP-Jκ has been shown previously to bind to the same Pro-rich domain of RTA, and this binding can be subject to competition by TLE2. In addition, TLE2 can form a complex with RTA to access the cognate DNA sequence of the RTA-responsive element at different promoters. Intriguingly, the transcription level of TLE2 could be upregulated by RTA during the lytic reactivation process. In conclusion, we identified a new RTA binding protein, TLE2, and demonstrated that TLE2 inhibited replication and transactivation mediated by RTA. This provides another potentially important mechanism for maintenance of KSHV viral latency through interaction with a host protein.

scholarly journals Enhancement of Autophagy during Lytic Replication by the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Replication and Transcription Activator

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (15) ◽  
pp. 7448-7458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Ju Wen ◽  
Zhilong Yang ◽  
You Zhou ◽  
Charles Wood
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Lytic Gene ◽  
Lytic Reactivation ◽  
Autophagic Process ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Autophagy is one of two major degradation systems in eukaryotic cells. The degradation mechanism of autophagy is required to maintain the balance between the biosynthetic and catabolic processes and also contributes to defense against invading pathogens. Recent studies suggest that a number of viruses can evade or subvert the host cell autophagic pathway to enhance their own replication. Here, we investigated the effect of autophagy on the KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) life cycle. We found that the inhibition of autophagy reduces KSHV lytic reactivation from latency, and an enhancement of autophagy can be detected during KSHV lytic replication. In addition, RTA (replication and transcription activator), an essential viral protein for KSHV lytic reactivation, is able to enhance the autophagic process, leading to an increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles, an increase in the level of the lipidated LC3 protein, and the formation of autolysosomes. Moreover, the inhibition of autophagy affects RTA-mediated lytic gene expression and viral DNA replication. These results suggest that RTA increases autophagy activation to facilitate KSHV lytic replication. This is the first report demonstrating that autophagy is involved in the lytic reactivation of KSHV.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Vpr Inhibits Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Replication by Inducing MicroRNA miR-942-5p and Activating NF-κB Signaling

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (19) ◽  
pp. 8739-8753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Yan ◽  
Chenyou Shen ◽  
Jie Qin ◽  
Wan Li ◽  
Minmin Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Primary Effusion Lymphoma ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTKaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection is required for the development of several AIDS-related malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). The high incidence of AIDS-KS has been ascribed to the interaction of KSHV and HIV-1. We have previously shown that HIV-1-secreted proteins Tat and Nef regulate the KSHV life cycle and synergize with KSHV oncogenes to promote angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Here, we examined the regulation of KSHV latency by HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr). We found that soluble Vpr inhibits the expression of KSHV lytic transcripts and proteins, as well as viral particle production by activating NF-κB signaling following internalization into PEL cells. By analyzing the expression profiles of microRNAs combined with target search by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter analyses, we identified a Vpr-upregulated cellular microRNA (miRNA), miR-942-5p, that directly targeted IκBα. Suppression of miR-942-5p relieved the expression of IκBα and reduced Vpr inhibition of KSHV lytic replication, while overexpression of miR-942-5p enhanced Vpr inhibition of KSHV lytic replication. Our findings collectively illustrate that, by activating NF-κB signaling through upregulating a cellular miRNA to target IκBα, internalized HIV-1 Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication. These results have demonstrated an essential role of Vpr in the life cycle of KSHV.IMPORTANCECoinfection by HIV-1 promotes the aggressive growth of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-related malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). In this study, we have shown that soluble HIV-1 Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication by activating NF-κB signaling following internalization into PEL cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that a cellular microRNA upregulated by Vpr, miR-942-5p, directly targeted IκBα. Suppression of miR-942-5p relieved IκBα expression and reduced Vpr inhibition of KSHV replication, while overexpression of miR-942-5p enhanced Vpr inhibition of KSHV replication. These results indicate that by activating NF-κB signaling through upregulating a cellular miRNA to target IκBα, internalized Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication. This work illustrates a molecular mechanism by which HIV-1-secreted regulatory protein Vpr regulates KSHV latency and the pathogenesis of AIDS-related malignancies.

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.

scholarly journals NDRG1 facilitates lytic replication of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by maintaining the stability of the KSHV helicase

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. e1009645
Author(s):  
Lianghui Dong ◽  
Jiazhen Dong ◽  
Min Xiang ◽  
Ping Lei ◽  
Zixian Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Dna Helicase ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

The presumed DNA helicase encoded by ORF44 of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays a crucial role in unwinding viral double-stranded DNA and initiating DNA replication during lytic reactivation. However, the regulatory mechanism of KSHV ORF44 has not been fully elucidated. In a previous study, we identified that N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), a host scaffold protein, facilitates viral genome replication by interacting with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the latent viral protein latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) during viral latency. In the present study, we further demonstrated that NDRG1 can interact with KSHV ORF44 during viral lytic replication. We also found that the mRNA and protein levels of NDRG1 were significantly increased by KSHV ORF50-encoded replication and transcription activator (RTA). Remarkably, knockdown of NDRG1 greatly decreased the protein level of ORF44 and impaired viral lytic replication. Interestingly, NDRG1 enhanced the stability of ORF44 and inhibited its ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation by reducing the polyubiquitination of the lysine residues at positions 79 and 368 in ORF44. In summary, NDRG1 is a novel binding partner of ORF44 and facilitates viral lytic replication by maintaining the stability of ORF44. This study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying KSHV lytic replication.

scholarly journals Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus ori-Lyt-Dependent DNA Replication: DualRole of Replication and Transcription Activator

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (24) ◽  
pp. 12171-12186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Qiyi Tang ◽  
Gerd G. Maul ◽  
Yan Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Viral Propagation ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Lytic Dna Replication

ABSTRACT Lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is essential for viral propagation and pathogenicity. In Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, constant lytic replication plays a role in sustaining the population of latently infected cells that otherwise are quickly lost by segregation of latent viral episomes as spindle cells divide. Lytic DNA replication initiates from an origin (ori-Lyt) and requires trans-acting elements. Two functional ori-Lyts have been identified in the KSHV genome. Some cis-acting and trans-acting elements for ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been found. Among these, K8 binding sites, a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs, and a replication and transcription activator (RTA) responsive element (RRE) are crucial cis-acting elements. Binding of K8 and RTA proteins to these motifs in ori-Lyt DNA was demonstrated to be absolutely essential for DNA replication. In the present study, functional roles of RTA in ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been investigated. Two distinct functions of RTA were revealed. First, RTA activates an ori-Lyt promoter and initiates transcription across GC-rich tandem repeats. This RTA-mediated transcription is indispensable for DNA replication. Second, RTA is a component of the replication compartment, where RTA interacts with prereplication complexes composed of at least six core machinery proteins and K8. The prereplication complexes are recruited to ori-Lyt DNA through RTA, which interacts with the RRE, as well as K8, which binds to a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs with the aid of C/EBP α. The revelation of these two functions of RTA, together with its role in initiation of a transcriptional cascade that leads to transcription of all viral lytic genes, shows that RTA is a critical initiator and regulator of KSHV lytic DNA replication and viral propagation.

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