Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are widespread pathogens involved in proliferative diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. During evolution, homologs of human chemokine receptors were integrated into the HHV genomes. In addition to binding endogenous chemokines, these viral G protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs) have acquired the ability to signal in a constitutive manner. Ligand-induced and ligandindependent and autocrine and paracrine signaling properties of vGPCRs modify the functions of the expressing cells and lead to transformation and escape from immune surveillance. Furthermore, cross-talk or heterodimerization with endogenous chemokine receptors represent other ways for vGPCRs to modify intracellular signaling and cellular functions. As such, these viral receptors seem to play a prominent role during viral pathogenesis and life cycle and thus represent innovative antiviral therapies.G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential mediators of cellular communication. Their cell surface expression allows easy access and activation by their extracellular ligands to initiate intracellular signaling cascades. The physiological role of GPCR activation ranges from gene transcription to cellular migration and proliferation. Besides being activated by their cognitive ligands, GPCRs can signal independently from ligand activation. This so-called constitutive activity is the molecular basis of various pathologies (Smit et al., 2007). It is noteworthy that, during evolution, human herpesviruses (HHV) of the  and ␥ families hijacked human GPCR while coexisting with their host (Brunovskis and Kung, 1995). These viral GPCRs (vGPCRs) show considerable homology to chemokine receptors, which are essential in the development of the hematopoietic system and regulation of cellular homeostasis (Mackay, 2001). In addition, chemokine receptors play a prominent role in cancer development (e.g., by inducing cellular proliferation or by modifying cellular migration patterns), resulting in cancer metastasis (Balkwill, 2004). Although human chemokine receptors require ligand activation to exert a physiological function, most of the vGPCRs show high levels of constitutive activity (Vischer et al., 2006b). As for human GPCRs, the constitutive modulation of signaling pathways by vGPCRs may play a role in the development of HHV-related diseases. As such, these vGPCRs may serve as therapeutic targets for the intervention of viral pathogenesis.
␥-Herpesvirus-Encoded G Protein-Coupled ReceptorsThe Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV or HHV-4) are lymphotropic viruses that are involved in proliferative dis- Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at