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Laszlo Szekely

Publications and source records attributed to Laszlo Szekely.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Cytotoxic drug sensitivity of Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphoblastoid B-cells.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of immunosuppression associated lymphoproliferations such as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), AIDS related immunoblastic lymphomas (ARL) and immunoblastic lymphomas in X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP). The reported overall mortality for PTLD often exceeds 50%. Reducing the immunosuppression in recipients of solid organ transplants (SOT) or using highly active antiretroviral therapy in AIDS patients leads to complete remission in 23-50% of the PTLD/ARL cases but will not suffice for recipients of bone marrow grafts. An additional therapeutic alternative is the treatment with anti-CD20 antibodies (Rituximab) or EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cells. Chemotherapy is used for the non-responding cases only as the second or third line of treatment. The most frequently used chemotherapy regimens originate from the non-Hodgkin lymphoma protocols and there are no cytotoxic drugs that have been specifically selected against EBV induced lymphoproliferative disorders. METHODS: As lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) are well established in vitro models for PTLD, we have assessed 17 LCLs for cytotoxic drug sensitivity. After three days of incubation, live and dead cells were differentially stained using fluorescent dyes. The precise numbers of live and dead cells were determined using a custom designed automated laser confocal fluorescent microscope. RESULTS: Independently of their origin, LCLs showed very similar drug sensitivity patterns against 29 frequently used cytostatic drugs. LCLs were highly sensitive for vincristine, methotrexate, epirubicin and paclitaxel. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that the inclusion of epirubicin and paclitaxel into chemotherapy protocols against PTLD may be justified.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

SPR-based immunocapture approach to creating an interfacial sensing architecture: Mapping of the MRS18-2 binding site on retinoblastoma protein.

Biosensor technologies based on optical readout are widely used in protein-protein interaction studies. Here we describe a fast and simple approach to the creation of oriented interfacial architectures for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transducers, based on conventional biochemical procedures and custom reagents. The proposed protocol permits the oriented affinity-capture of GST fusion proteins by a specific antibody which is bound to protein A, which in turn has been immobilized on the transducer surface (after the surface has been modified by guanidine thiocyanate). The applicability of the method was demonstrated by studying the interaction between retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRb) and MRS18-2 proteins. The formation of the pRb-MRS18-2 protein complex was examined and the pRb binding site (A-box-spacer-B-box) was mapped. We have also shown that MRS18-2, which was detected as the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded EBNA-6 binding partner using the yeast two-hybrid system, binds to pRb in GST pull-down assays.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2006

Molecular classification of mucoepidermoid carcinomas-prognostic significance of the MECT1-MAML2 fusion oncogene.

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) of the salivary and bronchial glands are characterized by a recurrent t(11;19)(q21;p13) translocation resulting in a MECT1-MAML2 fusion in which the CREB-binding domain of the CREB coactivator MECT1 (also known as CRTC1, TORC1 or WAMTP1) is fused to the transactivation domain of the Notch coactivator MAML2. To gain further insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MECs, we cytogenetically and molecularly characterized a series of 29 MECs. A t(11;19) and/or an MECT1-MAML2 fusion was detected in more than 55% of the tumors. Several cases with cryptic rearrangements that resulted in gene fusions were detected. In fusion-negative MECs, the most common aberration was a single or multiple trisomies. Western blot and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the MECT1-MAML2 fusion protein was expressed in all MEC-specific cell types. In addition, cotransfection experiments showed that the fusion protein colocalized with CREB in homogeneously distributed nuclear granules. Analyses of potential downstream targets of the fusion revealed differential expression of the cAMP/CREB (FLT1 and NR4A2) and Notch (HES1 and HES5) target genes in fusion-positive and fusion-negative MECs. Moreover, clinical follow-up studies revealed that fusion-positive patients had a significantly lower risk of local recurrence, metastases, or tumor-related death compared to fusion-negative patients (P = 0.0012). When considering tumor-related deaths only, the estimated median survival for fusion-positive patients was greater than 10 years compared to 1.6 years for fusion-negative patients. These findings suggest that molecularly classifying MECs on the basis of an MECT1-MAML2 fusion is histopathologically and clinically relevant and that the fusion is a useful marker in predicting the biological behavior of MECs.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Regulation of transactivation function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor by the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded EBNA-3 protein.

EBNA-3 is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigens that is indispensable for immunoblastic transformation and sustained proliferation of B-lymphocytes. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the function of EBNA-3 are poorly understood. We previously found that EBNA-3 interacts with an immunophilin-like protein XAP2/ARA9/AIP, which in mammalian cells is known to interact with the latent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). AhR is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that mediates cellular responses to environmental pollutants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In this study, we show that EBNA-3 interacts specifically with AhR. The stability of this interaction is determined by the activation state of AhR and its association with XAP2. We and others have demonstrated that XAP2 retains the nonactivated AhR in the cell cytoplasm. However, in the presence of TCDD, the effect of XAP2 on the intracellular localization of AhR was counter-acted by EBNA-3, resulting in nuclear translocation of the AhR. In addition, EBNA-3 enhanced transactivation function by the ligand-activated AhR in cells, as assessed by reporter gene assays. Our data suggested that EBNA-3 plays a role in facilitating the ligand-dependent AhR activation process. Following activation of the AhR, we also observed that EBNA-3 counteracted the inhibitory effect of TCDD on the growth of EBV-carrying lymphoblasts. Taken together, our studies revealed a novel interaction between EBV- and AhR-dependent cellular pathways that control cell proliferation and survival.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2005

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded EBNA-5 binds to Epstein-Barr virus-induced Fte1/S3a protein.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforms resting human B cells into immortalized immunoblasts. EBV-encoded nuclear antigens EBNA-5 (also called EBNA-LP) is one of the earliest viral proteins expressed in freshly infected B cells. We have recently shown that EBNA-5 binds p14ARF, a nucleolar protein that regulates the p53 pathway. Here, we report the identification of another protein with partially nucleolar localization, the v-fos transformation effector Fte-1 (Fte-1/S3a), as an EBNA-5 binding partner. In transfected cells, Fte-1/S3a and EBNA-5 proteins showed high levels of colocalization in extranucleolar inclusions. Fte-1/S3a has multiple biological functions. It enhances v-fos-mediated cellular transformation and is part of the small ribosomal subunit. It also interacts with the transcriptional factor CHOP and apoptosis regulator poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Fte-1/S3a is regularly expressed at high levels in both tumors and cancer cell lines. Its high expression favors the maintenance of malignant phenotype and undifferentiated state, whereas its down-regulation is associated with cellular differentiation and growth arrest. Here, we show that EBV-induced B cell transformation leads to the up-regulation of Fte-1/S3a. We suggest that EBNA-5 through binding may influence the growth promoting, differentiation inhibiting, or apoptosis regulating functions of Fte-1/S3a.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed2005

Study of the electroosmotic flow as a means to propel the mobile phase in capillary electrochromatography in view of further miniaturization of capillary electrochromatography systems.

In this paper, we investigate the phenomenon of electroosmosis as a means to propel a mobile phase, in particular in view of an application in microfluidic systems, which are characterized by significantly smaller volumes of the reservoirs and the separation channels compared to conventional instrumentation. In the microfluidic chip, pH changes due to water electrolysis quickly showed an effect on the electroosmotic flow (EOF), which could be counteracted by either regularly exchanging or buffering the mobile phase. Surface treatment was of no effect in regard to EOF stabilization in empty channels but may have an influence in channels filled with a charged monolith. In fused-silica capillaries the EOF was generally found to decrease from 'naked' to surface-treated to monolith-filled capillaries. The EOF tended to be higher when an organic solvent (acetonitrile) was added to the mobile phase and could be further increased by substituting the water with equal amounts of methanol. In addition, the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the EOF was investigated. In a microfluidic chip with empty (cross-)channels such an effect could be responsible for a redirection of the flow. In capillaries partially filled with a noncharged (non-EOF-generating) monolith, a linear relationship could be established between the EOF created in the empty section of the capillary (apparent mobility) and the length of the monolith (backpressure). In capillaries partially filled with a charged (EOF-producing) monolith, flow inhomogeneities must be expected as a consequence of a superimposition of hydrodynamic pressure and EOF as mobile phase driving force.

Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary↗
PubMed2003

Upregulation of the truncated basic hair keratin 1(hHb1-DeltaN) in carcinoma cells by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

To investigate the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in epithelial tumors, we compared the expression pattern of cellular genes in the EBV-infected gastric carcinoma cell line, NU-GC-3, and its uninfected control. Subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) was combined with high-density DNA array screening to identify differentially expressed genes. We have discovered that EBV infection upregulated a truncated variant of human basic hair keratin 1 (hHb1-DeltaN), a gene that had previously been identified in metastatic breast carcinoma. We verified the differential expression of hHb1-DeltaN in 3 independent EBV-positive and -negative NU-GC-3 clones by Northern blotting. We further verified the EBV-dependent upregulation of hHb1-DeltaN in 3 other carcinoma cell lines (AGS, TWO3 and DLD1) by RT-PCR. Inhibition of CpG methylation by 5-Aza-CdR induced hHb1-DeltaN mRNA expression in the EBV-negative clones but did not alter the expression in the EBV-positive clones. The expression of hHb1-DeltaN protein was detectable by immunofluorescence and Western blotting in EBV-positive but not in EBV-negative NU-GC-3 clones after proteasome inhibitor (MG132) treatment. hHb1-DeltaN protein formed fibrous structures in the cytoplasm and accumulated in distinct nuclear bodies in the euchromatic areas of the cell nucleus. We suggest that the unstable hHb1-DeltaN protein may inhibit some of the functions of the keratin cytoskeleton and/or interfere with transcription regulation. It also may establish a link between EBV and the low differentiated or anaplastic status of the carcinomas that carry the virus.

Azacitidine↗
PubMed2003

EBV-encoded EBNA-5 associates with P14ARF in extranucleolar inclusions and prolongs the survival of P14ARF-expressing cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) carrying lymphoblastoid cells of normal origin express the full program of all 9 virus-encoded, growth transformation associated proteins. They have an intact p53 pathway as a rule. This raises the question of whether any of the viral proteins impair the pathway functionally. Using a yeast 2-hybrid system, we have shown that EBNA-5 but not the other EBNAs interacts with the p14ARF protein, a regulator of the p53 pathway. The interaction was confirmed in vitro using a GST pull-down assay. Moreover, expression of EBNA-5 increased the survival of p14ARF-transfected cells. EBV infection of resting B cells induced the expression of p14ARF mRNA without increased level of the protein. A fraction of the p14ARF localized to the nucleoli but the bulk of the protein accumulated in nuclear but extranucleolar inclusions. Formation of the extranucleolar inclusions led to complete relocalization of EBNA-5 from nucleoplasm to these structures. The inclusions also contained p53 and HDM2, and were surrounded by PML bodies and proteasomes, which suggests that these inclusions could be targets for proteasome dependent protein degradation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2003

Ebola virus infection inversely correlates with the overall expression levels of promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein in cultured cells.

BACKGROUND: Ebola virus causes severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans. The mechanism of escape from cellular anti-viral mechanisms is not yet fully understood. The promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) associated nuclear body is part of the interferon inducible cellular defense system. Several RNA viruses have been found to interfere with the anti-viral function of the PML body. The possible interaction between Ebola virus and the PML bodies has not yet been explored. RESULTS: We found that two cell lines, Vero E6 and MCF7, support virus production at high and low levels respectively. The expression of viral proteins was visualized and quantified using high resolution immunofluorescence microscopy. Ebola encoded NP and VP35 accumulated in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies whereas VP40 was mainly membrane associated but it was also present diffusely in the cytoplasm as well as in the euchromatic areas of the nucleus. The anti-VP40 antibody also allowed the detection of extracellular virions. Interferon-alpha treatment decreased the production of all three viral proteins and delayed the development of cytopathic effects in both cell lines. Virus infection and interferon-alpha treatment induced high levels of PML protein expression in MCF7 but much less in Vero E6 cells. No disruption of PML bodies, a common phenomenon induced by a variety of different viruses, was observed. CONCLUSION: We have established a simple fixation and immunofluorescence staining procedure that allows specific co-detection and precise sub-cellular localization of the PML nuclear bodies and the Ebola virus encoded proteins NP, VP35 and VP40 in formaldehyde treated cells. Interferon-alpha treatment delays virus production in vitro. Intact PML bodies may play an anti-viral role in Ebola infected cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

T cell leukemia I oncogene expression depends on the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the virus-carrying Burkitt lymphoma lines.

We used a modified subtractive suppression hybridization to identify cellular genes that show altered expression in Burkitt lymphomas (BLs) in the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Comparison of the gene expression patterns of an EBV-negative clone of the originally EBV-positive BL line Akata, with its Neo(R)-EBV derivative, revealed a significant difference in the expression of the T cell leukemia 1 oncogene (TCL-1). Subsequent expression studies showed that the original EBV-positive Akata line and the EBV-reconstituted derivative expressed high levels of TCL-1, whereas the EBV-negative variant showed only a low level of expression. Two other independently established EBV-positive BLs (Mutu and OMA) that have also thrown off EBV showed a similar decrease in TCL-1 expression after virus loss. Reinfection with Neo(R)-EBV restored the TCL-1 expression levels in the EBV loss variants to as high a level as the originally EBV-positive lines. High-resolution immunostaining showed that TCL-1 was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Our findings suggest that high expression of TCL-1 is necessary for the development of the BL phenotype. In view of the fact that germinal center B cells, regarded as the progenitors of BL, do not express TCL-1, we suggest that constitutive expression of this oncogene occurs by genetic or epigenetic changes in the EBV-negative BLs. In the originally EBV-positive BLs, the ability of the virus to switch on TCL-1 expression would obviate this need.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

p14ARF induces the relocation of HDM2 and p53 to extranucleolar sites that are targeted by PML bodies and proteasomes.

BACKGROUND: p14ARF is a protein product of the alternative reading frame of the human INK4a locus. It functions as a tumor suppressor protein. p14ARF suppresses growth through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. RESULTS: p14ARF protein localizes primarily to the nucleoli. Here we show that in transfected cells p14ARF also appears in Hsp70 positive extranucleolar inclusions. The formation of p14ARF inclusions induces the parallel re-localization p53 and HDM2 to these sites that are also targeted by PML bodies and proteasomes. CONCLUSION: Our data show that co-localization between p53, HDM2 and p14ARF occurs at extranucleolar sites. Accumulation of PML and proteasomes at these sites suggest that the components of the nuclear inclusions are targeted for proteasome-mediated degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Improved subtractive suppression hybridization combined with high density cDNA array screening identifies differentially expressed viral and cellular genes.

Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) combines normalization and suppression PCR effect step in a single cycle to isolate differentially expressed genes in two cDNA samples. The PCR suppression effect is mediated by long inverted terminal repeats. The efficiency of the restriction enzyme digestion and the adapter ligation are crucial in the success of the SSH. We modified the original SSH protocol in order to improve the efficiency of the subtraction. A magnetic bead based separation step has been included after the ligation step, to purify the successfully ligated fraction of the tester. EBV(NEO) infected Akata(-) Burkitt's lymphoma cell line was compared with the EBV(-) Akata(-) cell line to isolate differentially expressed genes with the improved SSH protocol. Some 44 cDNA clones that showed the greatest differences in expression have been sequenced. Of them, 20 showed more than 3-fold difference in expression. Seven of the 20 genes were EBV genes. To quantitate the expression levels, high density nylon cDNA array hybridization was optimized. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the spotting of the arrayer is exceptionally reproducible, which makes the comparison of the hybridization of parallel filters possible.

Cell Line, Transformed↗
PubMed2003

A Domain in the C-terminal region of latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus affects transcriptional activation and binding to nuclear heterochromatin.

The latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 (LANA-1) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is required for the maintenance and replication of viral episomal DNA. The binding sites for nuclear heterochromatin and transcriptional repressor complexes are located in an amino-terminal region of LANA-1, whereas those for viral episomal DNA, p53, pRB, and members of the BRD/fsh family of nuclear proteins are located in its carboxy-terminal domain. LANA-1 activates or represses several cellular and viral promoters. In this report we show that a domain of 15 amino acids (amino acids 1129 to 1143), located close to the carboxy-terminal end of LANA-1, is required for the interaction of LANA-1 with nuclear heterochromatin or nuclear matrix, and for the ability of LANA-1 to activate the Epstein-Barr virus Cp promoter. LANA-1 proteins that are tightly associated with nuclear heterochromatin or matrix differ in molecular weight from LANA-1 proteins that can be dissociated from the nuclear matrix by high-salt buffers, suggesting that posttranslational modifications may determine the association of LANA-1 with nuclear heterochromatin or matrix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Epstein-Barr virus encoded nuclear protein EBNA-3 binds a novel human uridine kinase/uracil phosphoribosyltransferase.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects resting B-lymphocytes and transforms them into immortal proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in vitro. The transformed immunoblasts may grow up as immunoblastic lymphomas in immuno-suppressed hosts. RESULTS: In order to identify cellular protein targets that may be involved in Epstein-Barr virus mediated B-cell transformation, human LCL cDNA library was screened with one of the transformation associated nuclear antigens, EBNA-3 (also called EBNA-3A), using the yeast two-hybrid system. A clone encoding a fragment of a novel human protein was isolated (clone 538). The interaction was confirmed using in vitro binding assays. A full-length cDNA clone (F538) was isolated. Sequence alignment with known proteins and 3D structure predictions suggest that F538 is a novel human uridine kinase/uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. The GFP-F538 fluorescent fusion protein showed a preferentially cytoplasmic distribution but translocated to the nucleus upon co-expression of EBNA-3. A naturally occurring splice variant of F538, that lacks the C-terminal uracil phosphoribosyltransferase part but maintain uridine kinase domain, did not translocate to the nucleus in the presence of EBNA3. Antibody that was raised against the bacterially produced GST-538 protein showed cytoplasmic staining in EBV negative Burkitt lymphomas but gave a predominantly nuclear staining in EBV positive LCL-s and stable transfected cells expressing EBNA-3. CONCLUSION: We suggest that EBNA-3 by direct protein-protein interaction induces the nuclear accumulation of a novel enzyme, that is part of the ribonucleotide salvage pathway. Increased intranuclear levels of UK/UPRT may contribute to the metabolic build-up that is needed for blast transformation and rapid proliferation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

CD40 ligation downregulates EBNA-2 and LMP-1 expression in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) drives the proliferation of human B cells in vitro and during primary infection in vivo. The transformed immunoblasts express nuclear proteins EBNA1-6, transcribed from the Cp/Wp promoter, and the membrane proteins LMP-1, -2A and -2B (lymphoblastoid type of latency). EBV persists through life in resting memory B cells with a restricted type of latency in the absence of the Cp/Wp promoter activity. Since CD40 crosslinking can reportedly inhibit the growth of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), we have examined the effect of CD40 ligation on the expression of EBNAs and LMP-1 and on Cp EBV promoter activity together with several phenotypic markers. CD40 crosslinking led to a partial downregulation of EBNA-2, EBNA3-6 and LMP-1 in LCLs, paralleled by downregulation of Cp promoter activity. It also induced upregulation of the germinal center marker CD77 on the LCL cells. Our findings suggest that the encounter of proliferating EBV-transformed immunoblasts with CD40L, as would occur when normal B cells generate memory cells in germinal centers, may switch the viral transcription program from the full lymphoblastoid to a more restricted latency program in a proportion of cells. This would permit virus persistence in the B-cell memory compartment.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2002

Identification of ERp29, an endoplasmic reticulum lumenal protein, as a new member of the thyroglobulin folding complex.

Folding and post-translational modification of the thyroid hormone precursor, thyroglobulin (Tg), in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the thyroid epithelial cells is facilitated by several molecular chaperones and folding enzymes, such as BiP, GRP94, calnexin, protein disulfide isomerase, ERp72, and others. They have been shown to associate simultaneously and/or sequentially with Tg in the course of its maturation, thus forming large heterocomplexes in the ER of thyrocytes. Here we present evidence that such complexes include a novel member, an ER-resident lumenal protein, ERp29, which is present in all mammalian tissues with exceptionally high levels of expression in the secretory cells. ERp29 was induced upon treatment of FRTL-5 rat thyrocytes with the thyroid-stimulating hormone, which is essential for the maintenance of thyroid cells and Tg biosynthesis. Chemical cross-linking followed by the cell lysis and immunoprecipitation of ERp29 or Tg revealed association of these proteins and additionally, immunocomplexes that also included major ER chaperones, BiP and GRP94. Sucrose density gradient analysis indicated co-localization of ERp29 with Tg and BiP in the fractions containing large macromolecular complexes. This was supported by immunofluorescent microscopy showing co-localization of ERp29 with Tg in the putative transport vesicular structures. Affinity chromatography using Tg as an affinity ligand demonstrated that ERp29 might be selectively isolated from the FRTL-5 cell lysate or purified lumenal fraction of rat liver microsomes along with the other ER chaperones. Preferential association with the urea-denatured Tg-Sepharose was indicative of either direct or circuitous ERp29/Tg interactions in a chaperone-like manner. Despite the presence of the C-terminal ER-retrieval signal, significant amounts of ERp29 were also recovered from the culture medium of stimulated thyrocytes, indicating ERp29 secretion. Based on these data, we suggest that the function of ERp29 in thyroid cells is connected with folding and/or secretion of Tg.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Latent nuclear antigen of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus-8 induces and relocates RING3 to nuclear heterochromatin regions.

LANA, the major latency-associated nuclear antigen of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus-8 (KSHV/HHV-8), binds RING3 protein, one of five human homologues of the fsh (female sterile homeotic) gene product of Drosophila. In KSHV/HHV-8-infected cells LANA and the viral episomes accumulate in heterochromatin-associated nuclear bodies. Here we show that in several KSHV/HHV-8-negative cell lines derived from carcinomas, sarcomas and lymphomas, RING3 was expressed at low levels, primarily localized to the euchromatin, and dissociated from the chromosomes during mitosis. In contrast, in KSHV/HHV-8-infected body cavity lymphoma cells the bulk of RING3 localizes to the LANA nuclear bodies and remains associated with the chromosomes during cell division. KSHV/HHV-8-infected body cavity lymphoma cells expressed RING3 at much higher levels than cells without the virus. Transfection of full-length LANA, but not the C terminus alone, greatly induced RING3 gene expression, and LANA and RING3 co-localized even in the transfected cells, in the absence of KSHV/HHV-8 viral DNA. High levels of LANA expression led to the disappearance of heterochromatin in both human and mouse cells. We suggest that LANA and RING3 may create a local euchromatic microenvironment around the viral episomes that are anchored to the heterochromatin.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗