Chaperones and Viral-Host Interactions

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that are dependent on host factors for their propagation and survival. Interactions between viral and host proteins have continued to co-evolve to shape and maximize virus transmission. Study of virus-host interactions is important for determining the final outcome of viral infections. Chaperones are critical host proteins that promote multiple aspects of viral replication.  For example, one host protein that plays multiple roles in different stages of the viral life cycle is valosin-containing protein (VCP), also known as p97 in mammals or Cdc48 in yeast. This highly conserved AAA ATPase participates in virtually every stage of virus replication from entry, trafficking, nucleic acid replication, and maturation.  Furthermore, viral proteins, such as SV40 T antigen, have their own chaperone activities.  Both RNA-containing and DNA-containing viruses use chaperone functions for multiple aspects of their life cycles. Better understanding of the molecular details of viral and host chaperones will provide important information about normal cellular processes and how viruses manipulate them.  Continued studies are predicted to have clinical importance for the design of antiviral and vaccine strategies.

Prof. Dr. Jaquelin Dudley
Guest Editor

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