Centromeric protein CENP‐B proteasomal degradation induced by the viral protein ICP0

The ICP0 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) is a nuclear protein that possesses a well‐characterized E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. This activity is responsible for the proteasomal‐dependent degradation of several cellular proteins. This study shows that ICP0 induces the proteasomal‐dependent degradation of the centromeric protein CENP‐B in infected as well as ICP0‐expressing cells. It is also shown that the ICP0‐induced CENP‐B degradation occurs as efficiently in human and mouse cells. CENP‐B is one of the major proteins of centromeres and its degradation is likely to contribute to the severe damage induced to centromeres by ICP0.