Emerging Proviral Roles of Caspases during Lytic Replication of Gammaherpesviruses

Abstract

Due to their roles in the regulation of programmed cell death and inflammation, the cellular caspase proteases are considered antiviral factors. However, recent studies have revealed examples of proviral functions for caspases.Due to their roles in the regulation of programmed cell death and inflammation, the cellular caspase proteases are considered antiviral factors. However, recent studies have revealed examples of proviral functions for caspases. Here, we review a growing body of literature on the role of caspases in promoting the replication of human gammaherpesviruses. We propose that gammaherpesviruses have evolved ways to redirect these enzymes and to use their activation to support viral replication and immune evasion.