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Poxviruses Utilize Multiple Strategies to Inhibit Apoptosis
Daniel Brian Nichols1, William De Martini2, Jessica Cottrell3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07039, USA. daniel.nichols@shu.edu.
Viruses
|August 9, 2017
Summary
Poxviruses employ multiple strategies to inhibit apoptosis, a programmed cell death process, to ensure their replication. These viruses utilize viral proteins to block both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, aiding in disease and therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cells initiate apoptosis in response to viral infections.
- Poxviruses must evade apoptosis for successful replication, dedicating significant genomic resources to immune evasion.
- Poxvirus-encoded proteins antagonize cellular apoptotic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anti-apoptotic strategies employed by poxviruses.
- To focus on three poxvirus genera: Orthopoxvirus, Molluscipoxvirus, and Leporipoxvirus.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis regulation by poxviruses for therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on poxvirus-host interactions and apoptosis.
- Analysis of poxvirus genomes and protein functions related to immune evasion.
- Comparative study of anti-apoptotic mechanisms across different poxvirus genera.
Main Results:
- Poxviruses inhibit both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways using multiple viral products.
- Many of these anti-apoptotic proteins are essential for viral virulence.
- Poxviruses can also utilize apoptotic mimicry for cell-to-cell spread.
Conclusions:
- Poxviruses possess sophisticated mechanisms to counteract cellular apoptosis.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing poxviruses as oncolytic agents and vaccine vectors.
- Targeting viral anti-apoptotic strategies could offer new therapeutic avenues.
Keywords:
Molluscum Contagiosum VirusMyxoma VirusVaccinia Virusapoptosiscaspasehost defenseimmune evasionmitochondrial membrane permeabilizationpoxvirusprotein kinase RMore Related Videos
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