The human Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) bind members of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases through one of their envelope glycoprotein complexes, gH/gL. KSHV binds preferentially EphA2 and RRV a variety of different A- and B-type Ephs. Großkopf and colleagues have now identified a conserved amino acid sequence motif, which is essential for the receptor interaction. Using this information, they constructed genetically engineered mutant viruses that do not interact with these receptors anymore. These mutant viruses allow detailed analysis of the functional role of the Eph interaction during infection of different cell types. We hope that these findings will in the long run contribute to the informed design of a preventative vaccine or targeted interventions against KSHV and its associated diseases.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29432452

Großkopf AK, Ensser A, Neipel F, Jungnickl D, Schlagowski S, Desrosiers RC, Hahn AS; A Conserved Eph Family Receptor-Binding Motif on the gH/gL Complex of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus and Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus. PLoS Pathogens, 2018, 2018 Feb 12;14(2):e1006912. doi: 10.1371