Description:

Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a human tumor virus that causes cancer in immunocompromised individuals, and is the causative agent of the AIDS-associated malignancy Kaposi’s sarcoma. As AIDS remains a global health problem, it is vital to understand the pathogenesis of KSHV and its associated cancers. Like all herpesviruses, KSHV has two infectious cycle phases: lytic replication and latency. Latency is associated with limited viral gene expression, and evasion of host immune responses. Most KSHV-related cancers consist of cells latently infected with KSHV. Thus, it is thought that viral latent products contribute significantly to viral oncogenesis. Latent products include a viral homolog of cyclin D (vCyc) and several virally encoded microRNAs. Our lab has reported a large database of experimentally identified binding sites of KSHV microRNAs. It is now crucial to validate these targets and link them to phenotypes relevant to viral infection. I will present my work validating a KSHV microRNA target involved in oncogene-induced senescence, and determining the role of this targeting during infection.

Kylee Morrison, Graduate Student, Lab of Eva Gottwein, PhD

Northwestern University

Host: Eva Gottwein, PhD