Investigating the Interaction between KSHV Viral G Protein-Coupled Receptor and Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Complex Subunit 10
By: Eduardo Hernandez and Jan Mikhale Cajulao
Department: Cellular & Molecular Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Erica L. Sanchez
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a cancer-causing virus and the causative agent for Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). KS is the most frequent type of cancer in males and children in the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan African countries. The virus encodes a constitutively active signaling molecule called the viral G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) which is critical for the initiation and progression of KS. KSHV establishes lifelong infection of the human host and currently there is no treatment. A previous study’s proteomics screen revealed that vGPCR is suggested to interact with many human proteins. Among the interactions associated with KSHV is an understudied angiogenic protein called endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex subunit 10 (EMC10). However, these vGPCR interactions with host proteins and the downstream implications have yet to be explored. This study aims to investigate the potential interaction between vGPCR and this specific angiogenic protein. I hypothesize that KSHV vGPCR interacts with EMC10, and the interaction modulate angiogenesis. Immunofluorescence assays and western blot analysis were used to analyze the angiogenic protein expression in KSHV vGPCR-expressing cells. We successfully visualized EMC10 by IFA and detected it in vGPCR-expressing cells via western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation will also be utilized to validate the interactions. This study will add new insight into angiogenic proteins’ effects on vGPCR signaling and roles of the understudied proteins. Also, this study will provide information into understanding viral-host protein interactions affecting the modulation of angiogenesis and can lead to therapeutic targets for KSHV infection.