A viral kinase mimics S6 kinase to enhance cell proliferation.

Viruses depend upon the host cell for manufacturing components of progeny virions. To mitigate the inextricable dependence on host cell protein synthesis, viruses can modulate protein synthesis through a variety of mechanisms. We report that the viral protein kinase (vPK) encoded by open reading frame 36 (ORF36) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) enhances protein synthesis by mimicking the function of the cellular protein S6 kinase (S6KB1). Similar to S6KB1, vPK phosphorylates the ribosomal S6 protein and up-regulates global protein synthesis. vPK also augments cellular proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. Furthermore, we report that both vPK and S6KB1 phosphorylate the enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2) and that both kinases promote endothelial capillary tubule formation.