Caspase-dependent cleavage regulates protein levels of Epstein-Barr virus-derived latent membrane protein 1

FEBS Lett. 2016 Mar;590(6):808-18. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.12119. Epub 2016 Mar 4.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) plays pathogenic roles in EBV-related diseases. Thus, host cells employ several mechanisms to regulate LMP1 functions, and we previously reported possible regulation by signal transducing adaptor protein-2 as well as BS69. Here, we found that caspase-3 mainly degraded LMP1 proteins in HeLa cells, leading to decreased NF-κB and STAT3 activation. Caspase-3 cleaved the consensus DNTD sequences in the CTAR3 region of LMP1. Of importance, LMP1 expression strongly enhanced caspase-3 activity. Taken together, the reduction of LMP1 protein levels by caspases is likely to be a newly identified host defense against EBV infection.

Keywords: EBV; LMP1; NF-κB activation; caspase; degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caspase 3 / genetics
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism*
  • Caspase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Viral
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteolysis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caspase Inhibitors
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oligopeptides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • benzyloxycarbonyl-valyl-alanyl-aspartic acid
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3