For example the viral FLIP (vFLIP) encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus interacts and inhibits the central cell death effector, Caspase-8.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) vFLIP, a latent gene of KSHV, was first identified as a FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP) protecting cells from apoptosis.
Synergistic activation of interferon-beta gene transcription by the viral FLICE inhibitory protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and type I IFN activators.
We show that silencing of genes believed to be essential for the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latent life cycle (the oncogenic cluster) has a varied effect in PEL cell lines cultured in vitro, however, concomitant silencing of the viral cyclin (vcyclin) and viral FLICE (Fas-associating protein with death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme) inhibitory protein (vFLIP) caused efficient apoptosis in all PEL lines tested.
Here we describe a new family of viral inhibitors (v-FLIPs) which interfere with apoptosis signalled through death receptors and which are present in several gamma-herpesviruses (including Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus-8), as well as in the tumorigenic human molluscipoxvirus. v-FLIPs contain two death-effector domains which interact with the adaptor protein FADD, and this inhibits the recruitment and activation of the protease FLICE by the CD95 death receptor.