HERPESVIRUS SAIMIRI ENCODES A FUNCTIONAL HOMOLOG OF THE HUMAN BCL-2 ONCOGENE

Here we demonstrate that open reading frame 16 (ORF16) of the oncogeni c herpesvirus saimiri protects cells from heterologous virus-induced a poptosis. The BH1 and BH2 homology domains are highly conserved in ORF 16, and ORF16 heterodimerizes with Bcl-2 family members Bar and Bak. H owever, ORF16 lacks the core sequence of the conserved BH3 homology do main, suggesting that this region is not essential for anti-apoptotic activity. Conservation of a functional bcl-2 homolog among gammaherpes viruses suggests that inhibition of programmed cell death is important in the biology of these viruses.