Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency-associated nuclear antigen: more than a key mediator of viral persistence
Thomas F Schulz1, Anika Freise2, Saskia C Stein3
1Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; Cluster of Excellence 2155 RESIST, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany.
Abstract:
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus-8, is an oncogenic herpesvirus. Its latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) is essential for the persistence of KSHV in latently infected cells. LANA mediates replication of the latent viral genome during the S phase of a dividing cell and partitions episomes to daughter cells by attaching them to mitotic chromosomes. It also mediates the establishment of latency in newly infected cells through epigenetic mechanisms and suppresses the activation of the productive replication cycle. Furthermore, LANA promotes the proliferation of infected cell by acting as a transcriptional regulator and by modulating the cellular proteome through the recruitment of several cellular ubiquitin ligases. Finally, LANA interferes with the innate and adaptive immune system to facilitate the immune escape of infected cells.
Related Concept Videos
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Non-LTR Retrotransposons


