The ORF8 is a fast-evolving protein, and a potential pathogenicity factor that evolves rapidly to counter the immune response and facilitate the transmission between hosts. ORF8 has been found to interact with major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I), thereby mediating their degradation in cell culture, and therefore its function is likely to disrupt the host immune responses and may help in immune evasion.

MKFLVFLGIITTVAAFHQECSLQSCTQHQPYVVDDPCPIHFYSKWYIRVGARKSAPLIELCVDEAGSKSPIQYIDIGNYTVSCLPFTINCQEPKLGSLVVRCSFYEDFLEYHDVRVVLDFI

121 aa; 150 kDa