Protein kinase R reveals an evolutionary model for defeating viral mimicry

Nels C. Elde, Stephanie J. Child, Adam P. Geballe and Harmit S. Malik ()
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Nels C. Elde: Division of Basic Sciences,
Stephanie J. Child: and
Adam P. Geballe: and
Harmit S. Malik: Division of Basic Sciences,

Nature, 2009, vol. 457, issue 7228, 485-489

Abstract: Virus versus innate immunity Poxviruses, such as small pox, undermine host defences by producing a protein called K3L, which closely mimics the substrate of protein kinase R (PKR), an important component of the vertebrate innate immunity system. Elde et al. show that PKR evolved under dramatic episodes of positive selection in primates, substituting amino acids at sites where K3L and PKR meet. The evolutionary changes increase the chances of the host defeating the mimic and see the two protagonists locked in a molecular 'arms race' trying to out-smart and out-evolve each other.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07529

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