The Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus K8 Protein Interacts with CREB-Binding Protein (CBP) and Represses CBP-Mediated Transcription

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) open reading frame K8 encodes a basic region-leucine zipper protein of 237 amino acids that homodimerizes with its bZIP domain. KSHV K8 shows significant homology to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immediate-early protein Zta, a key regulator in the reactivation and replication of EBV. In this study, we report that K8, like its homolog EBV Zta, interacts with cellular CREB-binding protein (CBP) in vivo and in vitro. This interaction requires the C/H3 domain of CBP and the basic region of K8. K8 represses CBP-mediated transcription by competing with limited amounts of cellular CBP, exemplified by the reduced expression from the AP-1 and human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat promoters.