How Kaposi's sarcoma virus switches between dormant and active states
Studies on Viral Enhancer for Latency-Lytic Switch
Researchers aim to understand how Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus turns itself on and off to help people affected by KSHV-related cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is mapping how the KSHV virus arranges its genome in three dimensions inside human cells to find the spots that control whether the virus stays dormant or becomes active. They will identify viral enhancer regions and study how those regions interact with human nuclear factors using molecular and structural lab techniques in cell models and patient-derived samples. By examining nuclear architecture and gene control during latency and reactivation, the researchers hope to find points where drugs could block reactivation. This is laboratory-focused work on the virus's biology rather than a clinical treatment trial for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma, KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease, or primary effusion lymphoma, or HIV-positive individuals known to carry KSHV who are willing to donate samples.
Not a fit: People without KSHV infection or with cancers unrelated to KSHV are unlikely to directly benefit from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new drug targets to prevent viral reactivation or treat KSHV-related cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma.
How similar studies have performed: Related 3D genome and enhancer-mapping methods have yielded useful targets in other viral and cancer studies, but applying them specifically to KSHV's latency-lytic switch is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.