Review
Virology
Thomas F. Schulz, Anika Freise, Saskia C. Stein
Summary: Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic herpesvirus with latencyassociated nuclear antigen (LANA) playing crucial roles in viral persistence, replication, partitioning, establishment of latency, and immune evasion. LANA mediates replication of the viral genome, attaches episomes to daughter cells during cell division, establishes latency in newly infected cells, modulates cellular proteome, and interferes with the immune system.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaoqing Liu, Jin Gan, Shujuan Du, Caixia Zhu, Yuyan Wang, Yuping Jia, Daizhou Zhang, Di Qu, Fang Wei, Erle S. Robertson, Qiliang Cai
Summary: This study provides a proteomic profile of LANA(SIM)-associated proteins in hypoxia, revealing two major pathways significantly enriched for 28 LANA(SIM)-associated proteins responding to hypoxia – cytoskeleton organization and DNA/RNA binding and processing pathways. This discovery advances understanding of the collaboration between viral infection and hypoxic stress in inducing viral persistence and tumorigenesis.
Article
Microbiology
Dipayan Bose, Rajnish Kumar Singh, Erle S. Robertson
Summary: Hypoxia induces KSHV reactivation by preventing the degradation of essential cellular machinery, such as RNA Pol II, required for successful viral gene synthesis. The virus manipulates the cellular microenvironment to ensure efficient functioning of the transcription machinery during hypoxic conditions.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Aylin Berwanger, Martin Empting
Summary: This review discusses a target-centered approach towards developing novel anti-KSHV drugs by interfering with the molecular functions of the LANA protein, specifically targeting the C-terminal domain involved in LANA-DNA interaction. The focus is on efforts to discover innovative and KSHV-specific antiviral agents through drug discovery approaches aimed at disrupting the LANA-DNA interaction.
FUTURE MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Rajnish Kumar Singh, Dipayan Bose, Erle S. Robertson
Summary: The study shows that KSHV infection significantly affects the expression of genes related to fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, particularly under hypoxic conditions. KSHV-encoded proteins vGPCR and LANA can upregulate FABP genes, and suppressing FABPs leads to adverse effects on KSHV reactivation.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chen Gam Ze Letova, Inna Kalt, Meir Shamay, Ronit Sarid
Summary: KSHV virus can infect host cells in latent and lytic forms, with superinfection enhancing establishment of latent infection. Expressing the major latency protein LANA-1 prior to and during infection promotes efficient latency establishment, indicating that superinfection may support long-term latency maintenance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xuezhang Tian, Yaru Zhou, Shaowei Wang, Ming Gao, Yanlin Xia, Yangyang Li, Yunhong Zhong, Wenhao Xu, Lei Bai, Bishi Fu, Yu Zhou, Hye-Ra Lee, Hongyu Deng, Ke Lan, Pinghui Feng, Junjie Zhang
Summary: In this study, SMCHD1 was identified as a cell-intrinsic restriction factor that controls the replication of KSHV and a wide range of herpesviruses by targeting the origins of viral DNA replication. SMCHD1 deficiency facilitated the replication of a murine herpesvirus in vivo. This study helps us to better understand intrinsic antiviral immunity and could contribute to the development of new therapies for herpesvirus infection and related diseases.
Article
Virology
Enguo Ju, Tingting Li, Suzane Ramos da Silva, Ashley Markazi, Shou-Jiang Gao
Summary: Viral infections play a role in the development of many human diseases, and eliminating viral genomes from infected cells remains a challenge. This study demonstrates the reversible transformation of primary cells from normal to malignant states by KSHV infection and the targeting of viral latent proteins using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The research shows the potential of CRISPR/Cas as a promising tool for eliminating oncogenic viruses and offers a new approach for combating virus-related cancers.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Prerna Dabral, Timsy Uppal, Subhash C. Verma
Summary: In this study, we identified the presence of multiple G-quadruplex sites in the region (oriLyt) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA, which is essential for DNA replication during the lytic cycle. We demonstrated the roles of these G-quadruplexes through multiple biochemical and biophysical assays in controlling replication and efficient virus production. We demonstrated that KSHV achieves this by recruiting RecQ1 (helicase) at those G-quadruplex sites for efficient viral DNA replication. Analysis of the replicated DNA through nucleoside labeling and immunostaining showed a reduced initiation of DNA replication in cells with a pharmacologic stabilizer of G-quadruplexes. Overall, this study confirmed the role of the G-quadruplex in regulating viral DNA replication, which can be exploited for controlling viral DNA replication.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lee-Wen Chen, Shie-Shan Wang, Li-Yu Chen, Hsiao-Yun Huang, Si-min He, Chien-Hui Hung, Chun-Liang Lin, Pey-Jium Chang
Summary: This study reveals the protein-protein interaction network of KSHV-encoded core replication proteins and suggests a critical role of Hsp90 in assisting the construction of the viral core replication machinery. Additionally, the study identifies several discrete, stable subcomplexes in the cell nucleus.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yucheng Xia, Huanyu Cheng, Jiang Zhong
Summary: Mimivirus is a type of DNA virus infecting amoebas, with a genome encoding 1,062 predicted ORFs and two identical inverted terminal repeats. A new member of Mimivirus lineage C was isolated from a fresh water pond in Shanghai, China, and its complete genome was reported in this study. The discovery of two ITRs in the Mimivirus genome provides new insights into its structure.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sung-Mo An, Bo-Yun Kim, Halam Kang, Ha-Rim Lee, Yoo-Bin Lee, Yoo-Jung Park, Kyeong-Sik Cheon, Kyung-Ah Kim
Summary: The phylogenetic relationships between Hylotelephium and Orostachys were evaluated by analyzing their complete chloroplast genomes. The study found that these two genera have similar genome structure and gene features, but the genus delimitation is not clear due to the paraphyly of Hylotelephium with subsect. Orostachys. The taxonomic position of Sedum taqeutii was also supported as an independent taxon.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Du Hyeong Lee, Woo Hyeon Bae, Hongseok Ha, Eun Gyung Park, Yun Ju Lee, Woo Ryung Kim, Heui-Soo Kim
Summary: Transposable elements, including human endogenous retrovirus families, play a significant role in gene regulation and can affect human diseases. The presence of Z-DNA in LTR elements provides insights into understanding gene function and its relation to various diseases.
MOLECULES AND CELLS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Szilvia Brunner, Daniel Varga, Renata Bozo, Robert Polanek, Tunde Tokes, Emilia Rita Szabo, Reka Molnar, Nikolett Gemes, Gabor J. Szebeni, Laszlo G. Puskas, Miklos Erdelyi, Katalin Hideghety
Summary: The study employed dSTORM technique to investigate the role of gamma-H2AX foci in radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks. The research found that different doses of X-ray radiation resulted in varying densities and topologies of gamma-H2AX foci, with dynamic changes observed at different time points. The findings revealed the microstructural changes during DNA repair process and the repair status at different time points.
PATHOLOGY & ONCOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ziyi Dai, Kai Feng, Mingrui Wang, Ming Lei, Sen Ding, Jianyi Luo, Qingsong Xu, Bingpu Zhou
Summary: This study develops a flexible sensor that can perceive bidirectional stimuli and achieve ternary inputs, bringing new possibilities for communication between humans and machines, and has many application advantages.
Article
Neurosciences
Chase M. Carver, Haley R. DeWitt, Aiola P. Stoja, Mark S. Shapiro
Summary: The study demonstrated an upregulation of TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5 in the hippocampus and cortex following TBI, leading to neuronal hyperexcitability and increased susceptibility to seizures. The time-dependent changes in TRPC4/TRPC5-containing channels altered cholinergic responses and neuronal activity, contributing to proexcitatory sensitization.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eda Bozdemir, Fabio A. Vigil, Sang H. Chun, Liliana Espinoza, Vladislav Bugay, Sarah M. Khoury, Deborah M. Holstein, Aiola Stoja, Damian Lozano, Ceyda Tunca, Shane M. Sprague, Jose E. Cavazos, Robert Brenner, Theodore E. Liston, Mark S. Shapiro, James D. Lechleiter
Summary: AST-004, a novel A(3) receptor agonist, increases astrocyte energy production and enhances their neuroprotective efficacy after brain injury.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fabio A. Vigil, Hindiael Belchior, Vladislav Bugay, Isabella I. Bazaldua, Aiola Stoja, Denise C. Dantas, Sang H. Chun, Austin Farmer, Eda Bozdemir, Deborah M. Holstein, Jose E. Cavazos, James D. Lechleiter, Robert Brenner, Mark S. Shapiro
Summary: We investigated the potential beneficial effects of pharmacological increase of M-type K+ channel currents using the M-channel opener retigabine (RTG) on repetitive traumatic brain injuries (rTBIs). Our findings suggest that acute treatment with RTG after rTBIs has the potential to reduce the detrimental effects of these injuries, including the occurrence of post-traumatic seizures, the development of post-traumatic epilepsy, sleep-wake cycle alterations, and long-term changes in the brain. Additionally, we observed a direct relationship between sleep architecture and post-traumatic epilepsy.