IDENTIFICATION OF A FUSION/ENTRY RECEPTOR FOR HUMAN HERPESVIRUS-8

摘要

The susceptibility to Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpes Virus (KSHV) infection depends on the cell surface expression of the human xCT molecule. xCT plays a role in the membrane fusion step of KSHV infection. The invention provides the establishment of stable, nonhuman cell lines and transgenic mammals having cells that coexpress human xCT as valuable tools for the continuing research of KSHV infection and the development of more effective anti-KSHV therapeutics. In addition, antibodies against xCT, isolated and purified peptide fragments of xCT, and xCT- binding biologic agents, capable of blocking membrane fusion between KSHV and xCT containg target cells represent potential anti-KSHV therapeutics.