Characterisation of MINA, an interaction partner of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus ORF57 protein. (360G-Wellcome-083104_Z_07_Z)

Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF57 protein is conserved in all herpesviruses and is an essential regulator of gene expression implicated in many roles during infection. We have recently identified a novel cellular interaction partner of ORF57: MINA (myc-induced nuclear antigen with 53kDa), however the function of MINA is poorly understood. Therefore to understand the role of the ORF57 - MINA interaction, an evaluation of MINA function is required. We hypothesise that MINA: I. Is a protein arginine demethylase. II. Influences the intracellular localisation, protein-protein and RNA-protein interactions. III. Is a regulator of KSHV ORF57 function. To test this hypothesis, this study has 3 distinct objectives: 1) Test whether MINA possesses demethylase activity. 2) Identification of proteins which interact with MINA in uninfected and KSHV-infected cells. 3) Determine whether MINA influences the subcellular localisation, RNA binding or protein-protein interactions of KSHV ORF57 or other identified MINA-interacting proteins.