The role of Rel/NF-kappa B proteins in viral oncogenesis and the regulation of viral transcription

Semin Cancer Biol. 1997 Apr;8(2):121-9. doi: 10.1006/scbi.1997.0063.

Abstract

Rel/NF-kappa B is a ubiquitous transcription factor that consists of multiple polypeptide subunits, and is subject to complex regulatory mechanisms that involve protein-protein interactions, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, proteolytic degradation, and nucleocytoplasmic translocation. The sophisticated control of Rel/NF-kappa B activity is not surprising since this transcription factor is involved in a wide array of cellular responses to extracellular cues, associated with growth, development, apoptosis, and pathogen invasion. Thus, it is not unexpected that this versatile cellular homeostatic switch would be affected by a variety of viral pathogens, which have evolved mechanisms to utilize various aspects of Rel/NF-kappa B activity to facilitate their replication, cell survival and possibly evasion of immune responses. This review will cover the molecular mechanisms that are utilized by mammalian oncogenic viruses to affect the activity of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors and the role of Rel/NF-kappa B in the regulation of viral gene expression and replication.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Cell Transformation, Viral / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / genetics*
  • Gene Products, tax
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factor RelB
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • Gene Products, tax
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RELB protein, human
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • hepatitis B virus X protein
  • tax-responsive-element-binding protein 107, mouse
  • Transcription Factor RelB