Abstract
Myxoma virus, a member of the poxvirus family of DNA viruses, encodes many virulence factors to combat and evade the host immune responses. Among the virus-encoded immuno-modulators is M-T2, a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R) homologue. M-T2 is secreted as monomeric and dimeric species that bind and inhibit rabbit TNF in a species-specific manner. Deletion analysis indicates that the anti-TNF function is mediated by the first three of four cysteine rich domains (CRDs) of M-T2. In addition, the intracellular form of M-T2 has the ability to block virus-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes, and the first two CRDs appear to be sufficient for this function. Although the mechanisms for the anti-TNF and anti-apoptotic functions of M-T2 are not yet fully defined, we postulate that these dual activities of M-T2 are mediated through different functional motifs and abrogate distinct cellular responses to virus infection.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 97-109 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Virus Genes |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Immuno-modulator
- Myxoma virus
- TNF receptor
- Viroceptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Virology