Signal transduction is a common process used by an extensive array of biological ligands to modulate various host cell processes such as growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Cells respond to CMV (Cytomegalovirus) by invoking a cascade of biological and physiological responses resulting in signal transduction and regulation of cellular gene expression, including induction of genes in the IFN (Interferons)-responsive family (Ref.1). CMV is a herpes virus that infects most cell types and establishes latency in leukocytes. A CMV infection is normally subclinical but can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals or if the infection is acquired in utero. |