Fig 8.

Schematic presents a model by which γH2AX can contribute to the persistence of the viral genome after KSHV infection. As γH2AX is known to bind/localize with C-LANA and TR, along with partially assisting with the episome retention function, the model shows that γH2AX may strengthen the interaction between C-LANA and TR. This model is complementary to the classical model, where LANA by its C terminus binds with LANA binding sequences (LBSs) in the TRs. This model also presents a possible explanation for how the mammalian chromatin-associated proteins, known to bind to the C terminus of LANA, are able to contribute to LANA-mediated KSHV episome persistence after infection.