Kᵥ1.3 induced hyperpolarisation is required for efficient Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus lytic replication

Kaposi’s sarcoma is driven by Kaposi’s sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV), which preferentially infects B cells. Carden et al. identified a role for the voltage-gated K+ channel Kv1.3 in B cells in the lytic phase of KSHV, during which active viral replication occurs. KSHV increased the abundance and activity of Kᵥ1.3 channels during lytic replication. Overexpression of the KSHV-encoded early protein RTA was sufficient to induce the transcription of Kᵥ1.3-encoding mRNA. Kᵥ1.3 maintained a hyperpolarized membrane potential that allowed Ca2+ influx, which was required for KSHV lytic replication. These results suggest that Kᵥ1.3 is a potential target in treating KSHV-driven malignancies. —Amy E. Baek