Human cytomegalovirus open reading frame TRL11/IRL11 encodes an immunoglobulin G Fc-binding protein

Several herpesviruses encode Fc receptors that may play a role in preventin g antibody-mediated clearance of the virus in vivo. Human cytomegalovirus ( HCMV) induces an Fc-binding activity in cells upon infection, but the gene that encodes this Fc-binding protein has not been identified. Here, we demo nstrate that the HCMV AD169 open reading frame TRL11 and its identical copy , IRL11, encode a type I membrane glycoprotein that possesses IgG Fc-bindin g capabilities.