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Glycosyltransferases encoded by viruses
Nicolas Markine-Goriaynoff1, Laurent Gillet1, James L Van Etten2
1Immunology-Vaccinology (B43b), Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
The Journal of General Virology
|September 28, 2004
Summary
Viruses can alter host cells by producing their own enzymes called glycosyltransferases. This review explores these viral enzymes and their role in host-virus interactions, highlighting the importance of glycovirology.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Virology
- Glycomics
Background:
- Glycans play crucial roles in biological processes, establishing glycomics as a key field alongside genomics and proteomics.
- Viruses co-evolve with hosts, developing mechanisms to manipulate host processes, including glycan modification, for replication.
- The study of host-virus interactions has introduced the concept of 'glycovirology' due to the glycome's regulatory importance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review virally encoded glycosyltransferases.
- To discuss the established and putative functions of these viral enzymes.
- To illustrate the significance of glycomics in biological processes through the lens of virology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of virally encoded glycosyltransferases.
- Analysis of the functional roles of these enzymes in host-virus interactions.
Main Results:
- Viruses employ strategies to modify the host glycome, either by regulating host glycosyltransferases or by expressing their own.
- This review details known and potential functions of various virally encoded glycosyltransferases.
- The existence and function of viral glycosyltransferases underscore the intricate relationship between viruses and host glycan machinery.
Conclusions:
- Virally encoded glycosyltransferases are key players in host-virus interactions.
- Understanding these viral enzymes provides insights into viral replication strategies and host manipulation.
- The field of glycovirology is essential for comprehending the complex interplay between viruses and cellular glycosylation.
