Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus-encoded interferon regulator factors

Abstract

The Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes multiple proteins that disrupt host antiviral responses, including four viral proteins that have homology to the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family of transcription factors. At least three of the KSHV vIRFs (vIRFs 1-3) alter responses to cellular IRFs and to interferons (IFNs), whereas functional changes resulting from the fourth vIRF (vIRF-4) have not been reported. The vIRFs also affect other important regulatory proteins in the cell, including responses to transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and the tumor suppressor protein p53. This review examines the expression of the vIRFs during the life cycle of KSHV and the functional consequences of their expression. © Springer-Verlag 2006.