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Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins
08:26

Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins

Published on: August 31, 2017

Viral-encoded enzymes that target host chromatin functions

Hua Wei1, Ming-Ming Zhou

  • 1Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|September 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Viruses manipulate host cell chromatin through viral enzymes that modify histones. This viral strategy impacts gene expression and host-pathogen interactions, showcasing an evolving arms race.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Viruses and host cells engage in a continuous evolutionary arms race.
  • Host cells employ strategies to suppress viral gene expression.
  • Viruses have evolved to exploit host chromatin for gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how viruses utilize host chromatin components.
  • To highlight viral enzymes that modify host chromatin structure.
  • To understand viral manipulation of host epigenetic machinery.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on viral chromatin interactions.
  • Analysis of viral enzymes affecting histone modifications.
  • Examination of viral strategies mimicking host epigenetic regulators.

Main Results:

  • Viruses encode enzymes that post-translationally modify histones and other chromatin proteins.
  • Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1's vSET methylates histone H3, silencing Polycomb target genes.
  • Epstein-Barr virus's BGLF4 affects condensin and topoisomerase II; Herpes Simplex virus 1's Us3 inhibits HDAC1.

Conclusions:

  • Viral enzymes are key players in manipulating host chromatin.
  • Viruses actively reprogram host epigenetic landscapes for their benefit.
  • Understanding these viral mechanisms is crucial for antiviral strategies.

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