Viral serine/threonine protein kinases

Abstract

Phosphorylation represents one the most abundant and important posttranslational modifications of proteins, including viral proteins. Virus-encoded serine/threonine protein kinases appear to be a feature that is unique to large DNA viruses. Although the importance of these kinases for virus replication in cell culture is variable, they invariably play important roles in virus virulence. The current review provides an overview of the different viral serine/threonine protein kinases of several large DNA viruses and discusses their function, importance, and potential as antiviral drug targets.

FIG. 1.

Some of the major functions associated with the conserved herpesvirus protein kinase (CHPK). Red lines indicate functions that are conserved over the three herpesvirus subfamilies. Green lines indicate functions that are common to beta- and gammaherpesviruses. Blue and black lines indicate functions that have been reported only for alpha- and betaherpesviruses, respectively.

FIG. 2.

Major functions associated with US3 kinase orthologs of alphaherpesviruses. Proteins in blue represent US3 substrates that may be involved in the different functions of US3.

FIG. 3.

Major functions associated with B1 and F10 kinases of poxviruses. Proteins in orange represent phosphorylation substrates that may be involved in the different functions of B1 and F10.