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Localization And Binding Characteristics Of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Bcl-2 Protein In The Prevention Of Apoptosis, Erin T. St.Angelo
Localization And Binding Characteristics Of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Bcl-2 Protein In The Prevention Of Apoptosis, Erin T. St.Angelo
Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of various diseases, and it encodes a Bcl-2 homolog, KS-Bcl-2. The Bcl-2 family is important in regulating cellular apoptosis. Pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members promote apoptosis through mitochondrial pore formation by Bak and Bax, or through BH3 only domain activators and sensitizers. Anti-apoptotic members, such as cellular Bcl-2 prevent apoptosis through interactions with pro-apoptotic proteins, for instance inhibiting pore formation by binding to Bak and/or Bax. Even though, KS-Bcl-2 has been shown to have an anti-apoptotic function like its homolog, it does not bind to either Bak or Bax, and little is known …