Functional and structural analysis of HHV8 K2 protein as new vaccine target

Abstract Background: The most recently discovered human herpesvirus, Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Several papers have indicated the role of vIL-6 (K2) in HHV-8 in the development and progression of KS, PEL, and MCD which are related to HHV-8 infection. Our research was based on employing several bioinformatics software to find important mutations in K2 protein and an investigation of general properties, B-cell and T-cell epitopes, modification sites, and structure of K2 protein. Methods: K2 protein sequences of 20 HHV8 samples, were retrieved from NCBI gene bank. Using several software, all sequences were analyzed for determination of mutations, physicochemical analysis, B-cell epitopes prediction, T-cell and CTL epitopes prediction, post modification, secondary and tertiary structure prediction.Results: Several conserved and highly conserved regions were found in K2 protein and different B-cell, T-cell, and CTL epitopes were recognized. Secondary and tertiary structures were mapped for K2 protein.Conclusion: Our study, as a first report, analyzed all physicochemical properties and structural features of K2 protein and provide comprehensive data which will be useful for experimental tests to define protective vaccine against HHV.

کلیدواژه ها:

HIV ، integrase ، Bioinformatics