RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Esteban, M. A1 García, M. A. A1 Domingo-Gil, E. A1 Arroyo, J. A1 Nombela, C. A1 Rivas, C.YR 2003 T1 The latency protein LANA2 from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus inhibits apoptosis induced by dsRNA-activated protein kinase but not RNase L activation JF Journal of General Virology, VO 84 IS 6 SP 1463 OP 1470 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.19014-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) uses several strategies to counteract the interferon (IFN) system. In this study, the relationship of the protein LANA2 from KSHV to the IFN-activated protein kinase (PKR) and 2-5A system was analysed. It was found that LANA2 could not abrogate apoptosis or RNA degradation mediated by the 2-5A system. However, expression of LANA2 inhibited apoptosis triggered by PKR. LANA2 also counteracted the PKR-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis and partially blocked PKR-induced phosphorylation of eIF-2α. Analysis of PKR-induced activation of caspases 3 and 9 revealed that LANA2 abrogated activation of caspase 3 but not of caspase 9. These findings show that LANA2 is able to interfere with downstream events triggered by PKR. Hence, LANA2 should be considered as a KSHV defence protein against IFN., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.19014-0