Baculovirus regulation of apoptosis

The baculovirus AcMNPV induces apoptosis in a host-specific manner which in volves the activation of host caspases (cysteine-dependent, aspartate-speci fic proteases). AcMNPV carries a novel gene, p35, which encodes a stoichiom etric inhibitor of active caspases, thereby blocking apoptosis. P35 is clea ved by caspases and the cleavage products form a stable complex with the ca spase. Baculoviruses also carry genes known as laps (inhibitors of apoptosi s), some of which can actively suppress apoptosis by inhibiting the activat ion of caspases. Members of the IAP family are found in both viral and anim al genomes and interact physically with a variety of proteins associated wi th apoptotic pathways including Reaper, Doom, TRAF2, and some caspases. The ability of baculoviruses to block apoptosis influences their pathogenicity and host range, (C) 1998 Academic Press.