Fig. 2.

Diagram of KSHV life cycle events. Depicted are virion attachment, entry into the host cells and the different life cycles decision. KSHV entry is a multiple step involved in viral glycoproteins and many cellular membrane proteins. The entry is initiated by the binding of glycoproteins to specific cell receptors in the host cell membrane. After the entry, KSHV genome packaged in capsid is transported through the cytosol and then the genome is released into the nucleus. Once the viral genome enters the nucleus, the decision to enter the latent or lytic phase of the life cycle is made. KSHV life cycle contains two phases of infection: a short lytic replication and a persistent latent replication. During latency, LANA protein tethers KSHV episome to host cell chromosome and partitions certain numbers of genome copies to new cells. Upon exogenous stimuli, KSHV can be induced to lytic cycle. During lytic cycle, the KSHV genome replicates in a rolling cycle mechanism to produce linear genomes that are packaged into capsids. Mature capsids then obtain virus envelop by budding on host membranes. Lytic replication subsequently leads to destruction of the cells and release of virions to infect new cells.