Patulin influences the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T cells through depletion of intracellular glutathione.

Patulin is a mold toxin secreted mainly by fungi of the Penicillium species. Exposure generally results from consumption of moldy fruits and fruit products. Since recent studies identified mold exposure as a risk factor for allergic diseases, we examined the effects of patulin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) prepared from buffy coats of healthy donors.

Helix 8 of the viral chemokine receptor ORF74 directs chemokine binding.

The constitutively active G-protein-coupled receptor and viral oncogene ORF74, encoded by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8), binds a broad range of chemokines, including CXCL1 (agonist), CXCL8 (neutral ligand), and CXCL10 (inverse agonist). Although chemokines interact with the extracellular N terminus and loops of the receptor, we demonstrate that helix 8 (Hx8) in the intracellular carboxyl tail (C-tail) of ORF74 directs chemokine binding. Partial deletion of the C-tail resulted in a phenotype with reduced constitutive activity but intact regulation by ligands.

The Epstein-Barr virus BILF1 gene encodes a G protein-coupled receptor that inhibits phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with many lymphoproliferative diseases, such as infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt's lymphoma. Consequently, EBV is one of the most extensively studied herpesviruses. Surprisingly, a putative G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) gene of EBV, BILF1, has hitherto escaped attention, yet BILF1-like genes are conserved among all known lymphocryptovirus species, suggesting that they play a pivotal role in viral infection.

The r131 gene of rat cytomegalovirus encodes a proinflammatory CC chemokine homolog which is essential for the production of infectious virus in the salivary glands.

Rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) possesses two adjacent genes, r131 and r129, which have the potential to encode CC chemokine homologs. Interestingly, the amino acid sequences encoded by both genes show similarity to the sequence of the murine CMV (MCMV) MCK-2 protein, which is encoded by the m131/129 gene. In order to study the significance of the r131 gene in the pathogenesis of RCMV infection, we generated two different virus strains in which the r131 open reading frame is disrupted.

Mutational analysis of the R33-encoded G protein-coupled receptor of rat cytomegalovirus: identification of amino acid residues critical for cellular localization and ligand-independent signalling.

The rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) R33 gene encodes a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), pR33, which possesses agonist-independent, constitutive signalling activity. To characterize this activity further, we generated a series of point and deletion mutants of pR33. Both expression of and signalling by the mutants was evaluated.

Constitutive signaling of the human cytomegalovirus-encoded receptor UL33 differs from that of its rat cytomegalovirus homolog R33 by promiscuous activation of G proteins of the Gq, Gi, and Gs classes.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL33 gene is conserved among all beta-herpesviruses and encodes a protein that shows sequence similarity with chemokine receptors belonging to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we show that HCMV UL33 is predominantly transcribed as a spliced mRNA of which the 5' terminus is localized 55 bp upstream of the start codon. Like its homolog from rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV), R33, UL33 activates multiple signaling pathways in a ligand-independent manner.

The rat cytomegalovirus R78 G protein-coupled receptor gene is required for production of infectious virus in the spleen.

The rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) R33 and R78 genes are conserved within members of the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae and encode proteins (pR33 and pR78, respectively) that show sequence similarity with G protein-coupled receptors. Previously, the biological relevance of these genes was demonstrated by the finding that R33- and R78-deleted RCMV strains are severely attenuated in vivo. In addition, R78-deleted strains were found to replicate less efficiently in cell culture.

The rat cytomegalovirus R33-encoded G protein-coupled receptor signals in a constitutive fashion.

The rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) R33 gene is conserved among all betaherpesviruses and encodes a protein (pR33) that shows sequence similarity with chemokine-binding G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Previously, the physiological significance of the R33 gene was demonstrated by the finding that an RCMV strain with R33 deleted is severely attenuated in vivo and is unable to either enter or replicate in the salivary glands of infected rats. Here, we report that RCMV pR33 is expressed as a functional GPCR that signals in an agonist-independent manner in both COS-7 and Rat2 cells.