A poxvirus Bcl-2-like gene family involved in regulation of host immune response: sequence similarity and evolutionary history.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poxviruses evade the immune system of the host through the action of viral encoded inhibitors that block various signalling pathways. The exact number of viral inhibitors is not yet known. Several members of the vaccinia virus A46 and N1 families, with a Bcl-2-like structure, are involved in the regulation of the host innate immune response where they act non-redundantly at different levels of the Toll-like receptor signalling pathway. N1 also maintains an anti-apoptotic effect by acting similarly to cellular Bcl-2 proteins. Whether there are related families that could have similar functions is the main subject of this investigation.

Results

We describe the sequence similarity existing among poxvirus A46, N1, N2 and C1 protein families, which share a common domai

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2907574 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature