AUTHOR=de Munnik Sabrina M. , Smit Martine J. , Leurs Rob , Vischer Henry F. TITLE=Modulation of cellular signaling by herpesvirus-encoded G protein-coupled receptors JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=6 YEAR=2015 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2015.00040 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2015.00040 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are widespread infectious pathogens that have been associated with proliferative and inflammatory diseases. During viral evolution, HHVs have pirated genes encoding viral G protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs), which are expressed on infected host cells. These vGPCRs show highest homology to human chemokine receptors, which play a key role in the immune system. Importantly, vGPCRs have acquired unique properties such as constitutive activity and the ability to bind a broad range of human chemokines. This allows vGPCRs to hijack human proteins and modulate cellular signaling for the benefit of the virus, ultimately resulting in immune evasion and viral dissemination to establish a widespread and lifelong infection. Knowledge on the mechanisms by which herpesviruses reprogram cellular signaling might provide insight in the contribution of vGPCRs to viral survival and herpesvirus-associated pathologies.