The Mouse Cytomegalovirus G Protein-Coupled Receptor Homolog, M33, Coordinates Key Features of In Vivo Infection via Distinct Components of Its Signaling Repertoire

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) act as cell surface molecular “switches” that regulate the cellular response to environmental stimuli. All cytomegalovirus (CMV) genomes analyzed to date possess GPCR homologs with phylogenetic evidence for independent gene capture events, signifying important in vivo roles.