Murine cytomegalovirus IE3 protein interacts with Ankrd17.

Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) IE3 protein is a multifunctional viral protein that interacts with several target proteins of both viral and host cellular origin. To investigate the biological function of IE3 in the pathogenesis of the brain disorders caused by CMV, a screening for host cellular proteins that could interact with IE3 was performed. By yeast two-hybrid screening, ankyrin repeats domain 17 (Ankrd17, also known as Gtar) was identified as a host factor that could interact with IE3. This interaction was verified by yeast two-hybrid assay and chemiluminescent co-immunoprecipitaion. Mapping analysis suggested that the 1-148 residues of IE3 were responsible for the interaction. These results suggested that the interaction between Ankrd17 and IE3 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of MCMV-associated disease.