AUTHOR=Yang Linjiang , Wang Mingshu , Cheng Anchun , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Huang Juan , Tian Bin , Jia Renyong , Liu Mafeng , Zhu Dekang , Chen Shun , Zhao Xinxin , Zhang Shaqiu , Ou Xumin , Mao Sai , Gao Qun , Sun Di TITLE=Features and Functions of the Conserved Herpesvirus Tegument Protein UL11 and Its Binding Partners JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.829754 DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.829754 ISSN=1664-302X ABSTRACT=

The herpesvirus UL11 protein is encoded by the UL11 gene and is a membrane-anchored protein with multiple functions. In the last stage of viral replication, UL11 participates in the secondary envelopment process. It also plays a key role in primary envelopment, the transportation of newly assembled viral particles through cytoplasmic vesicles, and virion egress from the cell. UL11 is an important accessory protein and sometimes cooperates with other proteins that participate in virus-induced cell fusion. Cell fusion is necessary for cell-to-cell transmissions. This review summarizes the latest literature and discusses the roles of UL11 in viral assembly, primary and secondary envelopment, and cell-to-cell transmission to obtain a better understanding of the UL11 protein in the life cycle of herpesviruses and to serve as a reference for studying other viruses. Additionally, some recently discovered characteristics of UL11 are summarized.