The Epstein-Barr virus protein kinase BGLF4 and the exonuclease BGLF5 have opposite effects on the regulation of viral protein production.

ABSTRACT: The Epstein-Barr virus BGLF4 and BGLF5 genes encode a protein kinase and an alkaline exonuclease, respectively. Both proteins were previously found to regulate multiple steps of virus replication, including lytic DNA replication and primary egress. However, while inactivation of BGLF4 led to the downregulation of several viral proteins, the absence of BGLF5 had the opposite effect. Using recombinant viruses that lack both viral enzymes, we confirm and extend these initial observations, e.g., by showing that both BGLF4 and BGLF5 are required for proper phosphorylation of the DNA polymerase processivity factor BMRF1. We further found that neither BGLF4 nor BGLF5 is required for baseline viral protein production. Complementation with BGLF5 downregulated mRNA levels and translation of numerous

SUBMITTER: Feederle R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2772808 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature