KSHV ORF57, a protein of many faces

Viruses. 2015 Feb 10;7(2):604-33. doi: 10.3390/v7020604.

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF57 protein (also known as mRNA transcript accumulation (Mta)) is a potent posttranscriptional regulator essential for the efficient expression of KSHV lytic genes and productive KSHV replication. ORF57 possesses numerous activities that promote the expression of viral genes, including the three major functions of enhancement of RNA stability, promotion of RNA splicing, and stimulation of protein translation. The multifunctional nature of ORF57 is driven by its ability to interact with an array of cellular cofactors. These interactions are required for the formation of ORF57-containing ribonucleoprotein complexes at specific binding sites in the target transcripts, referred as Mta-responsive elements (MREs). Understanding of the ORF57 protein conformation has led to the identification of two structurally-distinct domains within the ORF57 polypeptide: an unstructured intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain and a structured α-helix-rich C-terminal domain. The distinct structures of the domains serve as the foundation for their unique binding affinities: the N-terminal domain mediates ORF57 interactions with cellular cofactors and target RNAs, and the C-terminal domain mediates ORF57 homodimerization. In addition, each domain has been found to contribute to the stability of ORF57 protein in infected cells by counteracting caspase- and proteasome-mediated degradation pathways. Together, these new findings provide insight into the function and biological properties of ORF57 in the KSHV life cycle and pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Herpesviridae Infections / metabolism
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Stability
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA, Viral
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • ORF57 protein, human herpesvirus 8
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins