Pim kinases are upregulated during Epstein-Barr virus infection and enhance EBNA2 activity.

Abstract

Latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is strongly associated with B-cell proliferative diseases such as Burkitt's lymphoma. Here we show that the oncogenic serine/threonine kinases Pim-1 and Pim-2 enhance the activity of the viral transcriptional activator EBNA2. During EBV infection of primary B-lymphocytes, the mRNA expression levels of pim genes, especially of pim-2, are upregulated and remain elevated in latently infected B-cell lines. Thus, EBV-induced upregulation of Pim kinases and Pim-stimulated EBNA2 transcriptional activity may contribute to the ability of EBV to immortalize B-cells and predispose them to malignant growth.

• Authors: Eeva-Marja Rainio, Helena Ahlfors, Kara L Carter, Marja Ruuska, Sampsa Matikainen, Elliott Kieff, Päivi J Koskinen
• Journal: Virology (Virology) Vol. 333 Issue 2 Pg. 201-6 (Mar 15 2005) ISSN: 0042-6822 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15721354 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
• Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
• Nuclear Proteins
• PIM2 protein, human
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Viral Proteins
• DNA
• PIM1 protein, human
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1
• Endonucleases
• SND1 protein, human

Topics

• B-Lymphocytes (enzymology, virology)
• Base Sequence
• Cell Line
• DNA (genetics)
• Endonucleases
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections (enzymology, etiology, genetics, virology)
• Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens (metabolism)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (genetics, metabolism, pathogenicity)
• Humans
• Nuclear Proteins (metabolism)
• Phosphorylation
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases (genetics)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (genetics)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1
• Transcriptional Activation
• Up-Regulation
• Viral Proteins