IL-10 promoter transactivation by the viral K-RTA protein involves the host-cell transcription factors, specificity proteins 1 and 3.

ABSTRACT: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)/human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) causes a persistent infection, presenting latent and lytic replication phases during its life cycle. KSHV-related diseases are associated with deregulated expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-10, but the mechanisms underlying this dysregulation are unclear. Herein, we report a molecular mechanism for KSHV-induced IL-10 gene expression. KSHV replication and transcription activator (K-RTA) is a molecular switch for the initiation of expression of viral lytic genes, and we describe, for the first time, that K-RTA significantly activates the promoter of the human IL-10 gene. Of note, mutations involving a basic region of K-RTA reduced the association of K-RTA with the IL-10 pr

SUBMITTER: Miyazawa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5767870 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature