The Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Usp7, a Novel Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Large T-Antigen Interaction Partner, Modulates Viral DNA Replication.

ABSTRACT: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the major cause for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but highly aggressive skin cancer predominantly found in elderly and immunosuppressed patients. The early viral gene products large T-antigen (LT) and small T-antigen (sT) are important for efficient viral DNA replication, and both contribute to transformation processes. These functions are executed mainly through interactions with host factors. Here, we identify the cellular ubiquitin-specific processing protease 7 (Usp7) as a new interaction partner of the MCPyV LT. Using glutathione S-transferase pulldown experiments, we show that MCPyV LT directly binds to Usp7 and that N- as well as C-terminal regions of LT bind to the TRAF (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated) domain of Usp7. We demonstr

SUBMITTER: Czech-Sioli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7022344 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature