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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Functional Imaging of Viral Transcription Factories Using 3D Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: January 18, 2018
Activation of T-cell-factor-dependent transcription by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication
Seho Cha1, Hee Jung Yoon, Su-Jung Kim
1Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul, South Korea.
Objective:
To elucidate the cellular function of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) replication transactivation activator (RTA) at the transcriptional level.
Methods:
Transcriptional activation of T-cell-factor (TCF)-dependent genes by RTA was determined using the luciferase reporter assay. The specific regions of RTA required for the activation of TCF-dependent transcription and association with β-catenin were established.
Results:
RTA specifically activated TCF-dependent transcription in a dose-dependent manner, to an extent comparable to the activation achieved by latency-associated nuclear antigen. In contrast, other KSHV viral proteins investigated, such as basic leucine zipper and viral interferon regulatory factor 1, did not affect TCF-dependent transcription. The C-terminal region of RTA appeared to be necessary for transcription. However, RTA did not affect the β-catenin level or the subcellular localization thereof.
Conclusion:
Our results collectively demonstrate that KSHV RTA activates TCF-dependent transcription without involving the β-catenin pathway.
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