Bovine herpesvirus 4 BORFE2 protein inhibits Fas- and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-induced apoptosis and contains death effector domains shared with other gamma-2 herpesviruses.

Fas- and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)-induced apoptosis is mediated by the interaction of FADD with caspase-8. Here, we report that the bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV4) BORFE2 gene encodes a protein that inhibits Fas- and TNFR1-induced apoptosis and contains death effector domains (DEDs). Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we found that the BORFE2 protein interacts with the prodomain of caspase-8. Furthermore, we show that BHV4 BORFE2 is a member of a family of DED-containing proteins that includes other gamma-2 herpesviruses, such as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and herpesvirus saimiri.