Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus viral protein kinase phosphorylates extracellular signal-regulated kinase and activates MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 521; no. 4; pp. 1083 - 1088
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyungdong, Jang, Jun Hyeong, Song, Yul Eum, Seo, Taegun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 22-01-2020
• Subjects: ERK; KSHV; MAPK/ERK signaling pathway; ORF36; Viral protein kinase; vPK; TFs; ORF; KSHV; MAPK/ERK signaling pathway; GFs; ICs; ORF36; MAPK; Viral protein kinase; ERK
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.038

Open reading frame 36 (ORF36) of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a serine/threonine-type viral protein kinase (vPK). Previous studies have examined the functions of KSHV vPK; however, its role in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) has not yet been described to date. Using HEK 293 cell lines, we performed a human phospho-kinase array analysis to screen for MAPK signaling pathways kinases that are activated by KSHV vPK. In addition, we investigated the regulator protein phosphorylation of up/downstream ERK1/2 pathway; nuclear translocation of phosphorylated ERK1/2; and regulation of transcription factor, inflammatory cytokine, and pro-/anti-apoptotic factor by KSHV vPK transfection. Here, we demonstrated that KSHV vPK activates ERK1/2 signaling pathway and plays an important role in the activation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
•KSHV ORF36 vPK activate MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.•KSVH/MHV-68 ORF36 vPK phosphorylate ERK, and transduction signal pathway.•KSHV/MHV-68 ORF36 vPK mediated activated ERK is translocate to the nucleus and regulate diverse intercellular factors.