A cis-acting element within the 5' leader of a cytomegalovirus beta transcript determines kinetic class

Mechanism of translation of the hepadnaviral polymerase (P) gene

Unlike many other reverse transcriptase genes, the polymerase (P) gene of the hepatitis B viruses is expressed by translational initiation from its own AUG codon rather than by ribosomal frameshifting during translation of the overlapping core gene (C). To explore the mechanism of its translation, we have fused the P gene of duck hepatitis B virus to the bacterial lacZ gene at a point 3' to the C-P overlap; this allows detection of the products of P translation with antisera to the lacZ-encoded protein. The C and P/Z coding regions were cloned downstream of a heterologous promoter and expressed in COS-7 cells. A single, bicistronic mRNA containing both C and P sequences is detected in these cells, and translational initiation occurs efficiently at the internally situated P AUG. Mutations affecting C translation have only minimal effects on P expression, in contrast to what would be expected from a modified scanning model for translation. We conclude that P translation depends on a mechanism other than scanning to allow internal entry of ribosomes to the region of the P initiator.

Characterization of the murine cytomegalovirus early transcription unit e1 that is induced by immediate-early proteins

The regulation of murine cytomegalovirus early (E) gene expression was studied in the cell line B25, which is stably transfected with the immediate-early ie1/ie3 gene complex. Infection of B25 cells in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide resulted in the expression of some E genes, whereas for the expression of other E genes prior protein synthesis was still mandatory, thus showing differences in the expression requirements of individual E genes. Transcription unit e1, a member of the E genes induced by immediate-early products of the ie1/ie3 gene complex, was characterized. It is located between map units 0.709 and 0.721 of the genome of murine cytomegalovirus strain Smith. A 2.6-kilobase RNA specified in this region is spliced from three exons of 912, 177, and 1,007 or 1,020 nucleotides, which are separated by introns of 93 and 326 nucleotides. The second AUG located in the first exon 119 nucleotides downstream of the 5' cap site is followed by an open reading frame of 990 nucleotides. The predicted polypeptide of 330 amino acids has a calculated molecular mass of 36.4 kilodaltons. Transfection with e1 revealed three antigenically related proteins of 36, 37, and 38 kilodaltons; these proteins probably represent differently modified forms of the predicted protein. These three proteins are phosphorylated and are associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies. A 33-kilodalton protein also derived from e1 was identified as a product of nonspliced transcripts. Comparison of amino acid sequences revealed homology between the murine cytomegalovirus transcription unit e1 and a human cytomegalovirus E transcription unit.

Transient expression assay for qualitative assessment of gene expression by fowlpox virus

A transient expression assay for fowlpox virus (FPV) was developed to assess the feasibility of using heterologous promoters in FPV and to qualitatively determine relative promoter strength. A transient expression system for FPV has not been reported, and various methods used for transient expression in vaccinia-virus-infected cells produced negative results when used with FPV. Here a successful method for transient expression of E. coli beta-galactosidase in FPV-infected chick embryo fibroblasts is reported. This transient expression assay has been developed to qualitatively assess promoter recognition and gene expression by FPV. It should also prove useful in the identification of promoters from the FPV genomic library and in testing the accuracy of chimeric promoter-gene constructs.

Transcription of the human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein gene family in the short unique component of the viral genome

The HXLF (HindIII X left reading frame) genes are a group of six open reading frames (ORFs) within the short unique component of the human cytomegalovirus genome. Two or more ORFs of the HXLF gene family code for components of the virion envelope glycoprotein complex designated gcII. Transcription of the various HXLF genes in infected cells was analyzed using specific DNA, RNA, and synthetic oligonucleotide probes. Transcription from each of the six HXLF genes was analyzed at immediate early, early, and late times after infection. Even though an enhancer element in six copies is downstream of HXLF6, immediate early cytoplasmic RNAs from the HXLF genes was not detectable. In contrast, early and late cytoplasmic RNAs were detectable for all six HXLF genes. The HXLF1 and 2 genes and the HXLF3 and 4 genes are transcribed as bicistronic mRNAs of 1.6 and 1.7 kb, respectively. The HXLF5 and 6 genes are transcribed as monocistronic mRNAs. In the HXLF4, 5, and 6 transcription units cytoplasmic viral RNAs were detected from both strands. Bidirectional transcription upstream of the enhancer element occurs at only early and late times after infection. The significance of bicistronic mRNA to the formation of the glycoprotein complex gcII requires further investigation.

Ribosome and protein synthesis modifications after infection of human epidermoid carcinoma cells with herpes simplex virus type 1

Modifications of ribosomes have been investigated in human epidermoid carcinoma-2 cells at different stages of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. Very early in infection, there is an increase in ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation even in the absence of serum. The same result is obtained in the presence of actinomycin D. At early infection time, ribosomal proteins S2, S3a and Sa are newly phosphorylated. At early and early-late times, three phosphorylated non-ribosomal proteins (v1, v2 and v3) are differently associated temporally to ribosomes. Analyses of proteins extracted from 40S subunits, 80S ribosomes and polysomes show that v1 and v2 are distributed differently among the different ribosomal populations. S6 phosphopeptides were found to be identical after serum stimulation and after viral infection. In every case phosphoserine and phosphothreonine were identified in S6. Only phosphoserine was found in other phosphorylated proteins. Our results indicate that herpes simplex virus type 1 is able to modify pre-existing ribosomes: (i) by stimulating a pre-existing kinase for S6 phosphorylation even in the absence of serum and of viral genome expression; (ii) by inducing new specific kinase activity(ies); and (iii) by association of new, phosphorylated proteins to ribosomes. These ribosomal modifications are correlated with changes in protein synthesis, as shown by two-dimensional electrophoretic analyses of newly synthesized 35S-labelled proteins.

Human cytomegalovirus induces expression of cellular topoisomerase II

Previous work from our laboratory has suggested that topoisomerase II is required for replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In assays of confluent human embryonic lung cells infected with HCMV, topoisomerase II inhibitors exhibited an irreversible inhibition of viral DNA replication. However, Northern (RNA blot) and Western (immunoblot) analyses of confluent uninfected human embryonic lung cells detected very low levels of cellular topoisomerase II RNA and protein. Quantitation of human topoisomerase II RNA and protein levels at various times after HCMV infection revealed that HCMV induces increased intracellular levels of both topoisomerase II RNA and protein. Such accumulation began at early times of infection, continued through late in infection, and was not reduced by inhibition of viral DNA synthesis. This is the first report of such induction by a viral infection. Topoisomerase II was also detected in isolated HCMV virions.

NF-kappa B activation of the cytomegalovirus enhancer is mediated by a viral transactivator and by T cell stimulation

The expression of cytomegalovirus alpha (immediate early) genes is under control of an enhancer that carries signals for strong constitutive expression as well as response elements for transactivation by viral proteins. We have used synthetic oligonucleotides representing the 16, 18 and 19 bp repeat elements within the enhancer to investigate the role of virus-induced cellular transcription factors in enhancer activation. We show that the transcription factor NF-kappa B, which binds to the 18 bp repeat, plays a central role in enhancer activation in infected human fibroblasts and that activation is mediated by the product of the viral gene ie1. The simian immunodeficiency virus kappa B site can functionally substitute for the 18 bp element in transient transactivation assays and can also compete efficiently for specific binding to the 18 bp repeat element in vitro. Point mutations in the NF-kappa B site within the 18 bp element disrupt ie1-mediated transactivation and binding. We have found that the characteristics of the 18 bp binding factor from human fibroblasts are indistinguishable from NF-kappa B induced by phorbol ester plus mitogen treatment of T lymphocytes, as determined by gel mobility shift assay as well as protection of the binding site from chemical cleavage. Furthermore, T cell stimulation mediates activation of the viral enhancer via kappa B sites, an observation that may be important in the interaction of cytomegalovirus with the naturally infected human host. Thus, NF-kappa B plays a central role as a target for enhancer activation via viral and cellular factors.

Sequences in the human cytomegalovirus 2.7-kilobase RNA promoter which mediate its regulation as an early gene

We have studied the regulation of expression of a major human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early transcription unit located within the long repeat of the strain AD169 genome. This region specified a 2.7-kilobase RNA which underwent its largest increase in abundance between 8 and 14 h postinfection. To study the regulation of this gene, its promoter was cloned 5' of the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) for use in transient expression assays. A construct containing 651 base pairs of upstream sequence and 54 base pairs of leader sequence was transfected into human fibroblast cells, followed by HCMV infection. Analysis of the steady-state levels of RNA expressed from this hybrid gene indicated that it accumulated with the same kinetics as the authentic viral transcript early in the infection. Cotransfection of human fibroblasts with the 2.7-kilobase RNA promoter-CAT construct and plasmids containing different HCMV immediate-early (IE) genes showed that the region of the HCMV genome encoding the transcription units corresponding to IE1 and 2 and the 5' end of IE3 is capable of stimulating promoter activity but not to the same extent as HCMV infection. To define important cis-acting regulatory elements in the promoter, a series of 5' deletion mutants was constructed. Transient expression analysis showed a stepwise reduction in inducible CAT activity, suggesting the presence of multiple regulatory sites. To further characterize the nature of these sites, we used gel mobility shift assays to study DNA-protein interactions occurring within this promoter sequence. With nuclear extracts prepared from HeLa cells as well as from infected and uninfected human foreskin fibroblasts, we found specific binding of a cellular factor to a region of the promoter important in HCMV inducible activity. This region contains a palindromic octamer with homology to the binding site of the cellular factor USF/MLTF.

A mutation in the short 5'-proximal open reading frame on Rous sarcoma virus RNA alters virus production

The 5'-proximal open reading frame on Rous sarcoma virus RNA encodes a seven-amino-acid peptide and is conserved in all avian sarcoma-leukosis retroviruses. Ribosome-binding site analysis in intact chick cells showed that the 5'-proximal AUG codon is a strong site for initiation of translation in vivo. Removal of the 5'-proximal AUG codon by site-specific mutagenesis resulted in a virus with a reduced ability either to replicate or to transform a population of chicken embryo fibroblasts. These results establish a procedure for determining sites of ribosome binding and initiation of translation on mRNAs in intact eucaryotic cells and strongly suggest that the 5'-proximal open reading frame (or its AUG codon) on Rous sarcoma virus RNA has an important role in regulating viral activity.

Identification and expression of a human cytomegalovirus early glycoprotein

A human cytomegalovirus early gene which possesses three temporally regulated promoters is located in the large unique component of the viral genome between 0.054 and 0.064 map units (C.-P. Chang, C.L. Malone, and M.F. Stinski, J. Virol. 63:281-290, 1989). This gene contains a major open reading frame (ORF) located 233 bases downstream of the cap site of an early unspliced RNA. The major ORF predicts a polypeptide of 17 kilodaltons (kDa) which contains a glycoproteinlike signal and anchor domains as well as potential N-glycosylation sites. Antisera were prepared against synthetic peptides derived from amino acid sequences within the major ORF. The antisera detected a viral glycoprotein of 48 kDa in infected cells and recognized the in vitro-translated 17-kDa protein early-gene product. The viral glycoprotein, designated gp48, was modified by N-linked glycans and possibly O-linked glycans. The synthesis of gp48 occurred in the absence of viral DNA replication but accumulated to the highest levels at late times after infection. Since gp48 was found in the virion, it is considered an early structural glycoprotein.

Posttranscriptional regulation of a class of human cytomegalovirus phosphoproteins encoded by an early transcription unit

We have further characterized and determined the origins of a family of nuclear phosphoproteins of 84, 50, 43, and 34 kilodaltons (kDa) encoded by a class of early transcripts arising from the adjacent EcoRI fragments R and d (map units 0.682 to 0.713) of the strain AD169 human cytomegalovirus genome. These RNAs have a complex spliced structure with common 5' and internal exons and alternative 3' exons with coterminal 3' ends. At early times, two fully processed species of 2.1 and 2.2 kilobases (kb) predominated. As the infection progressed to late times, there was a decrease in splicing of the RNA, generating larger transcripts 2.5 to 2.65 kb in size, which corresponded to the species which had spliced out only the first intron, as well as the completely unspliced transcript. We previously reported that the 34-kDa protein could be derived from a transcript which had failed to splice out the first intron (D. A. Wright, S. I. Staprans, and D. H. Spector, J. Virol. 62:331-340, 1988), but the origin of the other proteins was unclear. cDNA cloning has shown that the 2.1-, 2.2-, and 2.5-kb RNAs encode the 50-, 43-, and 84-kDa proteins, respectively. The shift in the splicing pattern of these RNAs with time revealed a posttranscriptional control mechanism which results in the differential accumulation of individual proteins within this family of nuclear phosphoproteins. Expression of the 84-, 43-, and 34-kDa proteins correlated well with the steady-state concentrations of their respective mRNAs. The 50-kDa protein, however, was not expressed in abundance until late times, despite the presence of the 2.1-kb mRNA in the cytoplasm at early times, suggesting a secondary level of posttranscriptional regulation for this protein. Full expression of the RNAs and proteins was dependent on continuing viral DNA synthesis. Accumulation of the 50-kDa protein was found to be particularly sensitive to the state of viral DNA replication and could not be detected after inhibition of replication. Further analysis of these proteins revealed that each one had a unique pattern of serine phosphorylation. Although there was one common site of phosphorylation, most likely located within the amino-terminal shared region, even this site showed quantitative differences in the level of phosphorylation for each of the proteins. Analysis of the Towne strain and two recent independent clinical isolates of human cytomegalovirus has shown that this family of proteins is highly conserved among human cytomegaloviruses.

Effect of deletions in the 5'-noncoding region on the translational efficiency of phosphoglycerate kinase mRNA in yeast

Deletions of various sizes were introduced into the region of the yeast PGK gene encoding the 5'-nontranslated portion of the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) mRNA. The effect of these deletions on the translational efficiency of the mutant transcripts was analysed by assaying the levels of mutant PGK mRNA and PGK protein in cells transformed with the mutant genes. Quantification of transcript levels by either Northern analysis or a reverse transcription assay demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the levels of mutant PGK mRNA between the various mutants. Thus, the leader sequence does not appear to play a role in determining the relatively long half-life of yeast PGK mRNA. Analysis of PGK protein levels in the various mutants revealed no effect when the length of the leader was reduced from 45 to 27 nucleotides (nt). Protein levels dropped by about a factor 2, however, upon a further decrease to 21 nt. Additional shortening did not cause a further dramatic reduction in translational yield. Even an mRNA containing a leader of only 7 nt was still translated at about 50% of the optimal rate. Therefore, while optimal translation of a yeast mRNA requires a leader length of at least some 30 nt, shorter leaders still allow considerable translation to take place.

The human cytomegalovirus strain Towne glycoprotein H gene encodes glycoprotein p86

The gene encoding the glycoprotein H (gH) homologue of CMV strain Towne was cloned, sequenced, and expressed. The predicted 742 amino acid gH protein had characteristics typical of a membrane glycoprotein including hydrophobic signal and transmembrane domains and six possible N-linked glycosylation sites. The CMV (Towne) gH gene had a 95% nucleotide identity and a 96.6% amino acid identity with the CMV (AD169) gH gene, as described by M. P. Cranage, G. L. Smith, S. E. Bell, H. Hart, C. Brown, A. T. Bankier, P. Tomlinson, B. G. Barrell, and T. C. Minson (1988, J. Virol. 62, 1416-1422). Transcriptional analysis of the gH gene revealed that the 2.9-kilobase (kb) gH transcript was not detected until late after CMV infection, indicating that the kinetics of gH expression were typical of the late class of CMV genes. The gH gene was expressed in COS cells using a vector in which transcription was driven by the SV40 early promoter. The expression of gH was detected by immunofluorescence using the virus neutralizing murine monoclonal antibody 1G6, which is specific for an 86-kilodalton (kDa) CMV virion membrane protein (p86). Amino acid sequence analysis of p86 tryptic peptides revealed sequence identity with peptides from the deduced gH amino acid sequence, confirming that the gH gene encodes p86. These results indicate that CMV gH can induce virus neutralizing antibodies and establishes gH as a candidate antigen for a subunit vaccine against CMV.

Regulation of cytomegalovirus late-gene expression: differential use of three start sites in the transcriptional activation of ICP36 gene expression

We have investigated the transcriptional regulation of the human cytomegalovirus gamma gene encoding the ICP36 family (p52, the major late DNA-binding protein). The ICP36 transcription unit initiates at three distinct sites which are separated by approximately 50 nucleotides and are differentially regulated during infection. At early times (8 h postinfection), only two of these start sites, the most proximal and distal site, were active whereas at late times (36 h postinfection), the middle start site was activated. Expression from this late start site was dependent upon DNA replication. Consensus TATA elements were located upstream of all three start sites, although the element upstream of the late start site was unusual in both sequence and position when compared with conventional TATA elements. Deletion analysis was used in conjunction with transient assays to define independent promoters in this region. The two early start sites and associated TATA elements functioned as separable independently regulated promoters. The region containing the late start site and TATA element but excluding either of the flanking TATA elements was inactive in transient assays. Our work establishes that the ICP36 gene is under complex early and late transcriptional regulation and that the sequences regulating transcriptional activation are temporally and spatially distinct.

Identification of the major capsid protein gene of human cytomegalovirus

The coding region for the major capsid protein (MCP) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was identified by comparing the protein sequence with the respective sequences of herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus, and varicella-zoster virus. The predicted length of the HCMV MCP was 1,370 amino acids. Comparison of the MCP sequences of the different human herpesviruses showed a homology of 25% to the MCP of HSV type 1, a homology of 29% to the MCP of Epstein-Barr virus, and a homology of 23% to the MCP of varicella-zoster virus. A subfragment of the HSV type 1 KpnI i fragment encoding the MCP VP5 cross-hybridized with the HCMV HindIII U fragment containing part of the MCP gene. Northern (RNA) blot analyses with subclones out of the coding region for the HCMV MCP detected one large transcript of about 8 kilobases. A portion of the open reading frame was expressed in Escherichia coli plasmid pBD2 IC2OH as a beta-galactosidase fusion protein and was used to generate polyclonal antibodies in New Zealand White rabbits. The obtained antisera reacted in Western immunoblots with the MCP of purified HCMV virions. A monoclonal antibody against the human MCP and a monospecific rabbit antiserum against strain Colburn of simian cytomegalovirus detected the fusion protein as well as the MCP of purified virions in immunoblots.

Functional mapping of the activity of the R region in the human T-cell leukemia virus type I long terminal repeat to increase gene expression

We previously demonstrated the activity of the R fragment in the long terminal repeat of human T-cell leukemia virus type I for elevation of the level of gene expression. In this study, the fragment was deleted with BAL31 nuclease to determine its functional domain. Series of the shortened R fragments were linked to the simian virus 40 promoter unit, which regulated expression of a reporter gene. Examination with the R fragments deleted from the 5' and 3' ends showed that borders of the functional domain were mapped within nucleotide positions 458 to 473 for the 5' end and nucleotide positions 559 to 594 for the 3' end, respectively. Thus we conclude that a 136-base-pair fragment corresponding to the second half of the R region was sufficient to allow elevation of the level of gene expression.

Human cytomegalovirus ie1 transactivates the alpha promoter-enhancer via an 18-base-pair repeat element

The expression of alpha (immediate-early) genes of cytomegalovirus is regulated via a complex enhancer that consists of several different repeat elements. We describe here the autoinduction of expression from the alpha promoter-enhancer by the most abundant alpha gene product, a 491-amino-acid nuclear phosphoprotein referred to as ie1. We defined the 18-base-pair repeat element within the alpha enhancer as the signal through which ie1 acts to regulate gene expression. This element contains an NF kappa B site that may play an important role in ie1 autoregulation. Our analysis, which relied on deletions through the enhancer as well as reconstitution of responsiveness to a promoter with synthetic 18-base-pair repeats, strongly implicated ie1 in the transcriptional transactivation of the alpha promoter through its enhancer.

Efficient synthesis of adeno-associated virus structural proteins requires both adenovirus DNA binding protein and VA I RNA

We have shown previously that replication of defective parvoviruses [adeno-associated viruses (AAV)] requires several early adenovirus (Ad) gene products [J. E. Janik, M. M. Huston, and J. A. Rose (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 1925-1929]. To examine their possible roles in the transcription and translation of AAV mRNA, 293-31 cells, a human embryonic kidney cell line that constitutively expresses the Ad early region IA and IB gene products, were transfected with a pBR325 plasmid (pLH1) that contains a duplex AAV2 DNA segment (0.03-0.97 map units) which encompasses the promoters and coding sequences necessary for expression of all AAV polypeptides. When cells were transfected with pLH1 alone, both spliced and unspliced AAV-specific cytoplasmic RNAs accumulated. These transcripts were capable of directing synthesis of the three AAV capsid polypeptides in vitro, whereas in vivo synthesis of AAV protein was not detected by immunofluorescence or immunoprecipitation. When cells were cotransfected with pLH1 and intact Ad DNA, the level of cytoplasmic AAV RNA was enhanced and AAV protein was synthesized in vivo. Additional experiments demonstrated that in vivo AAV protein synthesis also could be induced when pLH1 was cotransfected with plasmids that contain the Ad DNA-binding protein (pDBP) and VA I RNA (p2BalM) genes; however, a low level of in vivo AAV capsid protein was occasionally detected in cotransfections with pLH1 and a plasmid that contains both VA I and VA II RNA coding sequences (p2SalC). Cotransfection of pLH1 and pDBP or pLH1 and p2SalC showed complex alterations in the steady-state patterns of AAV cytoplasmic transcripts. In both cases, increased levels of transcripts, particularly the 2.3-kb spliced species, were detected in comparison to levels seen in cells transfected with pLH1 alone. Despite these increases, however, there was little, if any, induction of AAV protein synthesis unless both the DNA-binding protein (DBP) and VA I RNA coding sequences were present in cotransfection with pLH1. We conclude that, in 293-31 cells, the Ad VA I RNA and DBP gene products regulate AAV capsid protein synthesis at least at two levels: (i) by increasing the steady-state levels of structural protein transcripts in the cytoplasm, especially the spliced species, and (ii) by enhancing the translation of these messages.

A human cytomegalovirus early gene has three inducible promoters that are regulated differentially at various times after infection

The long inverted repeat and the adjacent sequences are major early transcription sites of the human cytomegalovirus genome (M. W. Wathen and M. F. Stinski, J. Virol. 41:462-477, 1982). An early transcription unit which flanks the large terminal repeat was analyzed by RNA mapping at various times after infection. Three unspliced, overlapping RNAs were transcribed from different initiation sites and terminated at the same 3' end. Individual promoters were isolated for all three transcripts. These promoters were activated in trans by viral immediate-early (IE) regulatory proteins after either infection with virus or cotransfection with IE2 alone or IE1 plus IE2 genes. DNA sequence analysis detected TATA and CAAT boxes plus multiple-dyad symmetries in the promoter-regulatory region. Deletion analyses showed that the maximum inducible promoter activity lay in a 230-base-pair region. When in the viral genome, the three promoters were regulated differentially during the course of infection. The upstream promoter was used only at late times after infection. Possible reasons for viral RNAs with multiple 5' ends at different times after infection and the recognition of the upstream promoter at only late times after infection are discussed.

Beta-galactosidase as a marker in the peripheral and neural tissues of the herpes simplex virus-infected mouse

We have inserted a modified Escherichia coli lacZ gene, placed under the control of herpes simplex virus alpha 4 or beta 8 regulatory signals, into the HSV-1 genome disrupting the viral thymidine kinase gene. Using beta-galactosidase as an in situ indicator of viral gene expression, we detected expression from these recombinant HSV in dermal and neural tissues of the BALB/c mouse. Our detection of beta-galactosidase expression in neuronal cells indicates that TK-deficient viruses are capable of invading mouse neuronal cells and expressing up to the beta class of gene product.

Human cytomegalovirus strain Towne glycoprotein B is processed by proteolytic cleavage

The gene encoding glycoprotein B of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) strain Towne was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in order to study potential targets for viral neutralization. Secondary structure analysis of the 907 amino acid protein predicted a 24 amino acid N-terminal signal sequence and a potential transmembrane region composed of two domains, 34 and 21 amino acids. The CMV (Towne) gB gene had a 94% nucleotide similarity and a 95% amino acid similarity to the CMV (AD169) gB gene [as described by M.P. Cranage et al. (1986, EMBO J. 5, 3057-3063)]. Transcriptional analysis of the CMV (Towne) gB coding strand revealed that the gB message (3.9 kb), was transcribed from this region as early as 4 hr postinfection, and well in advance of gB protein synthesis. Full-length and truncated versions of the gB gene were expressed in COS cells using expression vectors where transcription was driven by the SV40 early promoter or the CMV major immediate early promoter. Expression was detected by immunofluorescence and ELISA using the virus neutralizing murine monoclonal antibody 15D8 (L. Rasmussen, J. Mullenax, R. Nelson, and T.C. Merigan, 1985, J. Virol. 55, 274-280). This antibody had been shown previously to recognize a 55-kDa CMV virion protein and a related 130-kDa intracellular precursor. Amino acid sequence analysis of the N-terminus of the 55-kDa viral glycoprotein (gp55) showed that gp55 is derived from gB (gp130) by proteolytic cleavage and represents the C-terminal region of gp130. The truncated version of gB expressed in COS and CHO cells was also processed by proteolytic cleavage as demonstrated by Western blotting. Our study localizes the epitope recognized by 15D8 to within a 186 amino acid fragment of the gp55 protein. These results indicate that CMV gB is a target for neutralization and establishes gp55 as a candidate component for use in a subunit vaccine.

A highly conserved, 5' untranslated, inverted repeat sequence is ineffective in translational control of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene

An inverted repeat sequence, extending from the 5' untranslated region of the first exon through the translation initiation codon, is highly conserved in the alpha 1(I), alpha 2(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen genes of mammals and birds. It has been suggested that this sequence functions in translational control of collagen gene expression. When the upstream axis of the dyad of symmetry was deleted, the efficiency of translation of transcripts from a human alpha 1(I) collagen-bovine growth hormone fusion gene was unchanged in either transiently or stably transfected cells. Furthermore, mRNA levels were not affected when the same deletion was transferred to a collagen-human growth hormone fusion gene in which the collagen sequence retained the first intron. Examination of human alpha 1(I) DNA, extending from the start of transcription to the start of translation, by the DNAse I protection procedure revealed evidence for protein binding to a sequence just upstream of the inverted repeat sequence but not to the inverted repeat itself. Our studies therefore indicate that this highly conserved DNA sequence does not function generally in translational or transcriptional control of type I procollagen synthesis.

The ribosomal fraction mediates the translational enhancement associated with the 5'-leader of tobacco mosaic virus

The omega sequence at the 5'-terminus of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA acts as a translational enhancer. The differential in omega-associated translational enhancement between the in vitro translation system derived from wheat germ (WG) and that from rabbit reticulocytes (MDL) was exploited to identify that lysate component which was responsible for a lysate's characteristic response to omega. Using fractionated MDL and WG lysates, which were reconstituted in various combinations, the high salt-washed ribosomal fraction was determined to be the responsive element in a lysate. Analysis of omega's ability to enhance translation was greatest at low mRNA and high ribosomal concentrations and to occur in the early phase of an in vitro translation assay. Translation of omega-containing CAT mRNA was more sensitive to the presence of micrococcal nuclease than CAT mRNA without an omega. In substitution experiments, WG ribosomes functioned at much reduced efficiency in MDL as did MDL ribosomes in WG lysate. The initiation factor-containing fraction of one system could not, as a whole, functionally replace that of the other and actually acted to inhibit translation in the heterologous system.

Identification of sequence requirements and trans-acting functions necessary for regulated expression of a human cytomegalovirus early gene

We analyzed the regulation of expression of a human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early transcription unit encoded by EcoRI fragments R and d (map units, 0.682 to 0.713), located within the long unique segment of the genome. This region specified a 2.2-kilobase class of spliced transcripts which encode several related proteins. To define important upstream regulatory elements of this gene, we generated hybrid plasmids in which 5'-promoter sequences were fused to the Escherichia coli chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene and tested these hybrid genes in transient expression assays in human fibroblast cells. The stimulation of CAT activity in HCMV-infected cells was found to reflect an induction of correctly initiated hybrid mRNA, which was dependent on the de novo synthesis of some virally induced factor(s). A time course experiment showed the correct early kinetics of CAT expression. Analysis of a series of 5'-promoter deletion plasmids, ending between -323 and -7 base pairs relative to the transcription start site, showed a stepwise reduction in inducible CAT activity, suggesting that this HCMV early promoter consists of multiple elements. One of these elements resembles the binding site of a previously identified cellular "transcription" factor. We also examined the role of specific virus-encoded factors in the transactivation of this promoter. Cotransfection of human fibroblasts with the 2.2-kilobase RNA promoter-CAT construct and plasmids containing different immediate-early genes showed that expression of CAT from this promoter was stimulated by the region of the HCMV genome encoding the immediate-early 1 and 2 gene products.

Translational control of cytomegalovirus gene expression is mediated by upstream AUG codons

Human cytomegalovirus regulates gene expression at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. We have characterized posttranscriptional signals carried on the RNA of one beta (or delayed-early) gene, signals that we show delay the translation of an actively transcribed gene. The cis-acting components of this signal map to two upstream AUG codons in the 5' leader of the beta gene transcript that act to delay the kinetics and reduce the levels of gene expression. Both upstream AUG codons are part of short open reading frames, and the presence of either is sufficient to suppress expression of a downstream open reading frame. These upstream natural AUG codons appear to act in cis at the level of translation, consistent with the scanning hypothesis of eucaryotic translation. The occurrence of natural upstream AUG codons in other cytomegalovirus transcripts suggests their physiological significance in influencing the kinetics and steady-state levels of gene expression during viral growth.

Structural arrangements of transcription control domains within the 5'-untranslated leader regions of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 promoters

Promoter-proximal downstream regions of the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1 and HIV-2) mediate the action of the viral transcription activator protein, Tat. We demonstrate here that the downstream domain of each virus interacts with two RNA polymerase II transcription factors. One of these, CTF/NF I, is a multifunctional protein associated previously with activation of transcription and DNA replication. The other cellular protein, designated LBP-1 (leader-binding protein-1), recognizes repeated elements within an extended region of DNA corresponding to part of the 5'-untranslated leader. Analysis of clustered point mutants in the HIV-1 leader for DNA-binding and transcription activity in vitro and in vivo suggests a role for LBP-1 as part of the basal promoter. A complex overlapping arrangement is observed between sequences required for the interaction of LBP-1 and CTF/NF I proteins and those defined previously for regulation by the HIV-1 Tat protein.

A segment of the 5' nontranslated region of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA directs internal entry of ribosomes during in vitro translation

Picornavirus RNAs are uncapped messengers and have unusually long 5' nontranslated regions (5'NTRs) which contain many noninitiating AUG triplets. The translational efficiency of different picornavirus RNAs varies between different cell-free extracts and even in the same extract, such as micrococcal nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The effect of the poliovirus 5'NTR on in vitro translation was compared with that of the 5'NTR of encephalomyocarditis virus by the use of synthetic mRNAs, micrococcal nuclease-treated HeLa cell extracts, and rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Artificial mono- and dicistronic mRNAs synthesized with T7 RNA polymerase were used to investigate whether the 5'NTR of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA contains a potential internal ribosomal entry site. The sequence between nucleotides 260 and 484 in the 5'NTR of encephalomyocarditis RNA was found to play a critical role in the efficient translation in both mono- and dicistronic mRNAs. Our data suggest that an internal ribosomal entry site resides in this region.

Regulation of varicella zoster virus gene 27 translation in vitro by upstream sequences

Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gene 27 transcripts in infected cells. The Sal I-G DNA fragment, located in the unique long segment of the VZV genome and containing overlapping genes 26 and 27, was analyzed in an in vitro transcription-translation system. Translation of RNA transcribed from these open reading frames showed prominent expression of gene 27. Four different subclones were constructed to contain gene 27 with and without 100 base pairs (bp) of upstream sequences. Translation of RNA from these constructs using wheat germ extract or rabbit reticulocyte lysate indicated that the sequences upstream from the predicted initiation codon (AUG) of gene 27 downregulated the expression of this gene at the level of translation and that the predicted AUG within gene 27 was preferentially used.

Evidence that transcriptional control is the major mechanism of regulation for the glycoprotein D gene in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells

In this report, we demonstrate a close correlation between the levels of steady-state mRNA, polysome-associated RNA, and the rate of protein synthesis for glycoprotein D, a beta-gamma product of herpes simplex virus type 1, and for the model beta (ICP8), beta-gamma (glycoprotein B), and gamma (glycoprotein C) gene products included in this study as controls. No evidence was found for posttranscriptional control of expression of these products. We conclude from these results that the major regulatory control for these genes during herpes simplex virus type 1 infection is transcriptional.

The DNA-binding properties of the major regulatory protein alpha 4 of herpes simplex viruses

The transition from the expression of alpha, the first set of five herpes simplex virus genes expressed after infection, to beta and gamma genes, expressed later in infection, requires the participation of infected cell protein 4 (alpha 4), the major viral regulatory protein. The alpha 4 protein is present in complexes formed by proteins extracted from infected cells and viral DNA fragments derived from promoter domains. This report shows that the alpha 4 protein forms specific complexes with DNA fragments derived from 5' transcribed noncoding domains of late (gamma 2) genes whose expression requires viral DNA synthesis as well as functional alpha 4 protein. Some of the DNA fragments to which alpha 4 binds do not contain homologs of the previously reported DNA binding site consensus sequence, suggesting that alpha 4 may recognize and interact with more than one type of DNA binding site. The alpha 4 proteins can bind to DNA directly. A posttranslationally modified form of the alpha 4 protein designated alpha 4c differs from the alpha 4a and alpha 4b forms with respect to its affinity for DNA fragments differing in the nucleotide sequences of the binding sites.

Identification of the iron-responsive element for the translational regulation of human ferritin mRNA

Regulated translation of messenger RNA offers an important mechanism for the control of gene expression. The biosynthesis of the intracellular iron storage protein ferritin is translationally regulated by iron. A cis-acting element that is both necessary and sufficient for this translational regulation is present within the 5' nontranslated leader region of the human ferritin H-chain messenger RNA. In this report the iron-responsive element (IRE) was identified by deletional analysis. Moreover, a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide was shown to be able to transfer iron regulation to a construct that would otherwise not be able to respond to iron. The IRE has been highly conserved and predates the evolutionary segregation between amphibians, birds, and man. The IRE may prove to be useful for the design of translationally regulated expression systems.

Insertion and deletion mutagenesis of the human cytomegalovirus genome

Studies on human cytomegalovirus (CMV) have been limited by a paucity of molecular genetic techniques available for manipulating the viral genome. We have developed methods for site-specific insertion and deletion mutagenesis of CMV utilizing a modified Escherichia coli lacZ gene as a genetic marker. The lacZ gene was placed under the control of the major beta gene regulatory signals and inserted into the viral genome by homologous recombination, disrupting one of two copies of this beta gene within the L-component repeats of CMV DNA. We observed high-level expression of beta-galactosidase by the recombinant in a temporally authentic manner, with levels of this enzyme approaching 1% of total protein in infected cells. Thus, CMV is an efficient vector for high-level expression of foreign gene products in human cells. Using back selection of lacZ-deficient virus in the presence of the chromogenic substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-galactoside, we generated random endpoint deletion mutants. Analysis of these mutants revealed that CMV DNA sequences flanking the insert had been removed, thereby establishing this approach as a means of determining whether sequences flanking a lacZ insertion are dispensable for viral growth. In an initial test of the methods, we have shown that 7800 base pairs of one copy of L-component repeat sequences can be deleted without affecting viral growth in human fibroblasts.

A cis-acting element is necessary and sufficient for translational regulation of human ferritin expression in response to iron

Ferritin plays a key role in determining the intracellular fate of iron and is highly regulated by the iron status of the cell. We have identified a cis-acting element in the transcribed but nontranslated 5' leader sequence of human ferritin heavy-chain mRNA. In transiently transfected murine fibroblasts, the presence of a 157-nucleotide region of the 5' leader sequence was found to be necessary for iron-dependent regulation of ferritin biosynthesis. Further, this 5' leader region is sufficient to transfer iron-mediated translational control to the expression of a heterologous gene product, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase.

Trans-activation of human immunodeficiency virus gene expression is mediated by nuclear events

Human immunodeficiency virus encodes a gene product termed tat that is able to activate viral gene expression when present in trans. The mechanism of action of the tat gene product appears to be bimodal, resulting in both an increase in the steady-state level of viral mRNA and the enhanced translation of that RNA. In this report we have examined the mechanism by which tat elevates viral mRNA levels. Data are presented demonstrating that tat acts by increasing the rate of viral transcription, rather than by modulating the stability of viral mRNA. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to show that tat is predominantly localized in the nucleus of expressing cells, a location consistent with a role in the regulation of viral transcription. These results suggest that tat could play a role in human immunodeficiency virus replication essentially similar to that proposed for the trans-acting nuclear gene products described for several other virus species.

Herpes simplex virus virion stimulatory protein mRNA leader contains sequence elements which increase both virus-induced transcription and mRNA stability

To investigate the role of 5' noncoding leader sequence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) mRNA in infected cells, the promoter for the 65,000-dalton virion stimulatory protein (VSP), a beta-gamma polypeptide, was introduced into plasmids bearing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) gene together with various lengths of adjacent viral leader sequences. Plasmids containing longer lengths of leader sequence gave rise to significantly higher levels of CAT enzyme in transfected cells superinfected with HSV-1. RNase T2 protection assays of CAT mRNA showed that transcription was initiated from an authentic viral cap site in all VSP-CAT constructs and that CAT mRNA levels corresponded to CAT enzyme levels. Use of cis-linked simian virus 40 enhancer sequences demonstrated that the effect was virus specific. Constructs containing 12 and 48 base pairs of the VSP mRNA leader gave HSV infection-induced CAT activities intermediate between those of the leaderless construct and the VSP-(+77)-CAT construct. Actinomycin D chase experiments demonstrated that the longest leader sequences increased hybrid CAT mRNA stability at least twofold in infected cells. Cotransfection experiments with a cosmid bearing four virus-specified transcription factors (ICP4, ICP0, ICP27, and VSP-65K) showed that sequences from -3 to +77, with respect to the viral mRNA cap site, also contained signals responsive to transcriptional activation.