Role for Raf in the entry of viruses associated with AIDS (review)

Int J Oncol. 2004 Aug;25(2):469-80.

Abstract

The biology of acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) is yet to be completely understood partly because it is complicated by the manifestation of various viral infections and associated pathogenesis. Virus entry into target cells is a key step in the virus replication cycle which is characterized by intricate and complex interactions between virus and host cells. Analyses of virus entry are always hampered to some extent due to the inability to mimic in vivo conditions. Emphasis has been placed on understanding what the virus does during the entry process; for example the signaling it mediates during entry, or identifying the cellular receptors with which the virus interact. Often, the role of the cellular environment that is critical for the complex process of virus uptake has taken a back stage. Interestingly, most of the viruses associated with AIDS cause tumors. In a recently concluded study, we identified a role for intracellular oncogenic (Raf) signaling in human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8/KSHV) infection of target cells. In this review we present an update on entry of various viruses commonly associated with AIDS and yet another novel way of analyzing virus entry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / enzymology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / virology*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / enzymology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virus Diseases / enzymology*
  • Virus Diseases / virology*
  • raf Kinases / metabolism
  • raf Kinases / physiology*

Substances

  • raf Kinases