Apoptosis in coxsackievirus B3-caused diseases: Interaction between the capsid protein VP2 and the proapoptotic protein Siva

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a common factor in human myocarditis. Apoptotic events are present in CVB3-induced disease, but it Is unclear how CVB3 is involved in apoptosis and which viral proteins may induce the apoptotic pat hway. In this report we demonstrate that the human and murine proapoptotic protein Siva specifically interact with the CVB3 capsid protein VP2. Furthe rmore, the transcription of Siva is strongly induced in tissue of CVB3-infe cted mice and is present in the same area which is positively stained for a poptosis, CD27, and CD70. It has been proposed that Siva is involved in the CD27/CD70-transduced apoptosis. Therefore, we suggest a molecular mechanis m through which apoptotic events contributes to CVB3-caused pathogenesis.