The role of Rel/NF-kappaB proteins in viral oncogenesis and the regulation of viral transcription

Author: Mosialos G.

Source: Seminars in Cancer Biology, Volume 8, Number 2, April 1997 , pp. 121-129(9)

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Abstract:

Rel/NF-kappaB is a ubiquitous transcription factor that consists of multiple polypeptide subunits, and is subject to complex regulatory mechanisms that involve protein-protein interactions, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, proteolytic degradation, and nucleocytoplasmic translocation. The sophisticated control of Rel/NF-kappaB activity is not surprising since this transcription factor is involved in a wide array of cellular responses to extracellular cues, associated with growth, development, apoptosis, and pathogen invasion. Thus, it is not unexpected that this versatile cellular homeostatic switch would be affected by a variety of viral pathogens, which have evolved mechanisms to utilize various aspects of Rel/NF-kappaB activity to facilitate their replication, cell survival and possibly evasion of immune responses. This review will cover the molecular mechanisms that are utilized by mammalian oncogenic viruses to affect the activity of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors and the role of Rel/NF-kappaB in the regulation of viral gene expression and replication.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; malignant transformation; NF-kappaB; signal transduction; Tax protein

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: Infectious Disease Division, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Channing Labs, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

Publication date: 1997-04-01