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. 1997 May;71(5):4118–4122. doi: 10.1128/jvi.71.5.4118-4122.1997

Herpesvirus saimiri encodes a functional homolog of the human bcl-2 oncogene.

V E Nava 1, E H Cheng 1, M Veliuona 1, S Zou 1, R J Clem 1, M L Mayer 1, J M Hardwick 1
PMCID: PMC191568  PMID: 9094693

Abstract

Here we demonstrate that open reading frame 16 (ORF16) of the oncogenic herpesvirus saimiri protects cells from heterologous virus-induced apoptosis. The BH1 and BH2 homology domains are highly conserved in ORF16, and ORF16 heterodimerizes with Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak. However, ORF16 lacks the core sequence of the conserved BH3 homology domain, suggesting that this region is not essential for anti-apoptotic activity. Conservation of a functional bcl-2 homolog among gammaherpesviruses suggests that inhibition of programmed cell death is important in the biology of these viruses.

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Selected References

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