Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Plaquing of Herpes Simplex Viruses
04:41

Plaquing of Herpes Simplex Viruses

Published on: November 5, 2021

7.0K

The Tumor Cell Proliferation Inhibitory Activity of the Human Herpes Virus Type 6 U94 Protein Relies on a Stable

Anna Bertelli1, Matteo Uggeri2, Federica Filippini1

  • 1Section of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.

Microorganisms
|January 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The U94 protein from Human Herpesvirus 6 has anticancer properties. The shortest active fragment, KI95, maintains its antiproliferative effect by downregulating Src, highlighting the importance of structural conformation for therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The U94 protein of Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is known to inhibit cell proliferation by downregulating the Src proto-oncogene.
  • Understanding the minimal functional domain of U94 is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the shortest U94 protein fragment retaining antiproliferative activity.
  • To investigate the structural characteristics essential for U94's biological function.
  • To explore the potential of U94 fragments as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Truncation of the U94 protein into various fragments.
  • In vitro proliferation assays using breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468, BT-549).
  • Computational analyses to predict structural properties.
  • Western blot analysis to assess Src phosphorylation levels.

Main Results:

  • Antiproliferative activity was localized to the N-terminal region of U94.
  • Fragments MT153 and MT117 showed activity, while MV85 did not.
  • The shortest active fragment identified was KI95 (aa 14-108), which maintained antiproliferative effects and Src downregulation.
  • Structural analysis indicated that a stable β-sheet conformation is critical for activity, rather than a specific linear sequence.

Conclusions:

  • The antiproliferative function of U94 and its active fragments depends on their three-dimensional structure.
  • KI95 is the shortest U94 fragment that retains biological activity, with key residues likely within its β-sheet region.
  • These findings support the potential of KI95 as a novel therapeutic agent for cancers driven by Src activity.
Keywords:
Human Herpes Virus 6Src down-regulationU94 proteinantiproliferationartificial intelligencecancer therapeuticsmolecular dynamic simulationnucleofectionprotein modeling

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Organotypic Corneal Model of Acute Epithelial Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection07:55

Ex Vivo Organotypic Corneal Model of Acute Epithelial Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection

Published on: November 3, 2012

13.2K
Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 111:56

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Published on: August 24, 2015

11.6K

Related Concept Videos

Conformity01:20

Conformity

Conformity is the change in a person’s behavior to go along with the group, even if that person does not agree with the group.
48.2K
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
128.0K
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation02:36

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
5.1K
Conformations of Butane02:20

Conformations of Butane

Unlike ethane and propane that have only two major conformations, butane has more than two conformers. The staggered form of butane in which the bulky methyl groups on the two carbons are placed on opposite sides, that is, at a dihedral angle of 180°, is the lowest energy, most stable form — called the anti conformer. This conformation is stabilized due to the absence of steric repulsion between the largely spaced out methyl groups. The other two staggered conformations are...
18.0K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.2K
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high...
11.4K