Epstein-Barr virus-encoded BILF1 is a constitutively active G protein-coupled receptor

J Virol. 2005 Jan;79(1):536-46. doi: 10.1128/JVI.79.1.536-546.2005.

Abstract

Both beta- and gammaherpesviruses encode G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with unique pharmacological phenotypes and important biological functions. An example is ORF74, the gamma2-herpesvirus Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-encoded GPCR, which is highly constitutively active and considered the key oncogene in Kaposi's sarcoma pathogenesis. In contrast, the current annotation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome does not reveal any GPCR homolog encoded by this human oncogenic gamma1-herpesvirus. However, by employing bioinformatics, we recognized that the previously established EBV open reading frame BILF1 indeed encodes a GPCR. Additionally, BILF1 is a member of a new family of related GPCRs exclusively encoded by gamma1-herpesviruses. Expression of hemagglutinin-tagged BILF1 in the HEK293 epithelial cell line revealed that BILF1 is expressed as an approximately 50-kDa glycosylated protein. Immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy revealed that BILF1 localizes predominantly to the plasma membrane, similar to the localization of KSHV ORF74. Using chimeric G proteins, we found that human and rhesus EBV-encoded BILF1 are highly potent constitutively active receptors, activating Galphai. Furthermore, BILF1 is able to inhibit forskolin-triggered CREB activation via stimulation of endogenous G proteins in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner, verifying that BILF1 signals constitutively through Galphai. We suggest that EBV may use BILF1 to regulate Galphai-activated pathways during viral lytic replication, thereby affecting disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Viral Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go