High expression of functional adenovirus DNA polymerase and precursor terminal protein using recombinant vaccinia virus

Production and characterization of recombinant mouse neurotrophin-3

Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is a neurotrophic-factor that has recently been cloned on the basis of its structural similarity to other members of the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene family. In order to produce this protein, a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the coding region for mouse NT-3 was constructed. Conditioned medium harvested from cells infected with the recombinant vaccinia virus contained biologically active NT-3 that was purified by chromatography on controlled-pore glass and reversed-phase and gel-filtration high-pressure liquid chromatography. Approximately 200 micrograms purified NT-3 was obtained from a single cell-factory flask (1.6 1 conditioned medium). N-terminal protein sequencing showed that the mature factor was processed from the precursor at the expected site and its amino acid composition agreed with that predicted from the DNA sequence. The biological activity of the recombinant protein was tested on dissociated neurons prepared from chick embryos. Using spinal sensory neurons, the concentration of purified recombinant NT-3 allowing half-maximal survival was determined to be 25 pg/ml.

v-erbA overexpression is required to extinguish c-erbA function in erythroid cell differentiation and regulation of the erbA target gene CAII

The v-erbA oncoprotein represents a retrovirus-transduced oncogenic version of the thyroid hormone (T3/T4) receptor c-erbA (type alpha). It contributes to virus-induced erythroleukemia by efficiently arresting differentiation of red cell progenitors and by suppressing transcription of erythrocyte-specific genes. Here, we show that v-erbA and c-erbA bind directly to sequences within the promoter of the erythrocyte-specific carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), a gene whose transcription is efficiently suppressed by v-erbA. This erbA-binding site confers thyroid hormone responsiveness to a heterologous promoter in transient expression experiments and is a target for efficient down-regulation of CAII transcription by the v-erbA oncoprotein. In stably transformed erythroblasts coexpressing the v-erbA oncoprotein and the c-erbA/T3 receptor at an approximately equimolar ratio, c-erbA activity is dominant over v-erbA. T3 efficiently induced erythroid differentiation in these cells, thus overcoming the v-erbA-mediated differentiation arrest. Likewise, T3 activated CAII transcription as well as transient expression of a T3-responsive reporter gene containing the CAII-specific erbA-binding site. The c-erbA-dependent activation of this CAII reporter construct could only be suppressed by very high amounts of v-erbA. Our results suggest that overexpression of v-erbA is required for its function as an oncoprotein.

Overproduction of adenovirus DNA polymerase and preterminal protein in HeLa cells

Adenovirus (Ad) DNA polymerase (AdPol) and the preterminal protein (pTP) form a complex that is involved in the in vitro initiation of Ad DNA replication. Recombinant vaccinia viruses (vv) were constructed in which the genes encoding AdPol and pTP were cloned into a vaccinia/T7 hybrid expression-based vector downstream from the T7 promoter (pT7)/encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) 5'-untranslated region (UTR). HeLa cells infected with the recombinant vv-AdPol or vv-pTP or a mixture of both, together with the vv expressing T7 RNA polymerase produced significant levels of pTP and AdPol which were biologically active in the in vitro initiation of Ad DNA replication. These amounts of pTP and AdPol were only about two-fold less than the levels produced in insect cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus constructs expressing AdPol and pTP.

Mutagenesis of conserved region I in the DNA polymerase from human adenovirus serotype 2

The functional importance of the conserved region I (YGDTDSLF) found in several prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and viral DNA polymerases has been probed by site-directed mutagenesis of the adenovirus DNA polymerase (Ad Pol). Three different adenovirus-specific assays have been used to measure the in vitro activity of region I mutants of Ad Pol expressed in transiently transfected CMT-4 cells. In general, both conservative and nonconservative changes generally showed a greater than 5- to 10-fold reduction in activity in three different assays for activity. However, several replacements at the glycine residue showed activities closer to wild-type levels. For example, replacements of this glycine with cysteine (found in bacteriophage phi 29, another protein primed replication system), with serine, or with methionine had little effect on the activity observed in adenovirus-specific assays, such as initiation and elongation. These studies confirm the importance of this region of Ad Pol in specific initiation and elongation reactions on Ad DNA templates.

Transactivation by herpes simplex virus proteins ICP4 and ICP0 in vaccinia virus infected cells

Vaccinia virus recombinants containing the sequences from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encoding the immediate early (IE)(alpha) proteins ICP4 and ICP0, under the control of a mutated vaccinia virus 11K late promoter, were constructed. A cDNA copy of the gene encoding ICPO and an ICP4-encoding genomic segment were each inserted into the vaccinia virus genome at the thymidine kinase (TK) locus by homologous recombination. Steady-state analyses revealed that RNAs homologous to the IE-0 and IE-4 sequences accumulated in cells infected by recombinants with the kinetics of a typical vaccinia late mRNA. Western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression level of both ICPO and ICP4, produced by the recombinant viruses, was comparable to that in HSV-1-infected cells at late times postinfection. Both proteins synthesized in cells infected by the recombinants were located in the nucleus as revealed by immunofluorescence. Although in vitro studies reveal that extracts from vaccinia-virus-infected cells lose the ability to transcribe genes that contain RNA polymerase II promoters (Puckett and Moss (1983), Cell 35, 441-448) both ICPO and ICP4 expressed by the recombinant viruses can transactivate plasmids containing a reporter gene driven by the promoters for the HSV-1 TK and glycoprotein C genes. Nuclear extracts prepared from cells infected with the vaccinia virus vector expressing ICP4 exhibited sequence-specific DNA-binding activity.

TFIID is required for in vitro transcription of the human U6 gene by RNA polymerase III

We present evidence that transcription factor TFIID, known for its central role in transcription by RNA polymerase II, is also involved in RNA polymerase III transcription of the human U6 snRNA gene. Recombinant human TFIID, expressed either via a vaccinia virus vector in HeLa cells or in Escherichia coli, affects U6 transcription in three different in vitro assays. First, TFIID-containing fractions stimulate U6 transcription in reactions containing rate-limiting amounts of HeLa nuclear extract. Second, TFIID addition relieves transcriptional exclusion between two competing U6 templates. Third, TFIID can replace one of two heat labile fractions essential for U6 transcription. Thus, at least one basal transcription factor is involved in transcription by two different RNA polymerases.

Synthesis of biologically active adenovirus preterminal protein in insect cells using a baculovirus vector

A DNA fragment encoding the polyhedrin promoter of Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV strain) was constructed using overlapping oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos), which included the 5'-untranslated leader sequence of the polyhedrin-encoding gene. This DNA fragment was cloned into an intermediate transfer vector (pKX105) providing a unique BamHI site for the insertion of foreign genes. The Escherichia coli lacZ gene was first cloned at the BamHI site of pKX105 and the XhoI-KpnI fragment containing the lacZ gene was transferred to another plasmid vector (pEI) consisting of flanking AcMNPV sequences (pEI-lacZ). The E. coli beta-galactosidase that was produced in the infected insect cells using the recombinant virus constituted about 10% of the total cytoplasmic proteins. The pKX105 plasmid was also modified to give rise to pTT-lacZ which consisted of the lacZ gene under the control of the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat promoter to facilitate rapid screening of the baculoviral recombinants in which the gene of interest was cloned under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. The efficiency of these transfer vectors was verified by obtaining high levels of expression of the adenovirus(Ad)-encoded preterminal protein (pTP) which is involved as a protein primer in the initiation of Ad DNA replication. The baculovirus-produced pTP was immunoprecipitable using rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against a hydrophilic domain of pTP. The pTP protein was localized in the nucleus of the infected insect cells, and was biologically active in the in vitro Ad type 2 (Ad2) replication initiation assay.

Linker mutation scanning of the genes encoding the adenovirus type 5 terminal protein precursor and DNA polymerase

The replication of adenovirus DNA requires, in addition to several host factors, three virus-encoded proteins: a DNA binding protein, the precursor of the terminal protein (pTP), and a DNA polymerase (Ad pol). Ad pol and pTP form a tight complex that is necessary for the initiation step in DNA replication. To perform mutation scanning of the adenovirus type 5 pTP and Ad pol a series of in-frame linker insertions of a 12-mer oligonucleotide d(CCCATCGATGGG) were introduced into cloned viral DNA fragments containing coding sequences of these proteins. The insertions are located at recognition sites for several blunt end-cutting restriction endonucleases. Forty different sites were mutagenized and the mutated genes were transferred to a plasmid that contains the left 42% of the adenovirus genome. They were rebuilt into the viral genome by means of in vivo recombination between plasmid DNA and digested adenovirus DNA-TP complex. The resulting viral genomes were tested for viability and rescued virus was analyzed for the presence of the inserted linker oligonucleotide. This procedure resulted in recovery of a number of viable virus mutants with insertions in the pTP or Ad pol genes, all of which are phenotypically silent. The other mutations did not allow virus production. The positions of these apparent lethal codon insertion mutations were useful to identify regions of functional importance in both proteins. It can be concluded that the precursor-specific region of pTP plays an important role in virus multiplication.

Transcription factors NFI and NFIII/oct-1 function independently, employing different mechanisms to enhance adenovirus DNA replication

Initiation of adenovirus DNA replication is strongly enhanced by two transcription factors, nuclear factor I (NFI) and nuclear factor III (NFIII/oct-1). These proteins bind to two closely spaced recognition sequences in the origin. We produced NFI and NFIII/oct-1, as well as their biologically active, replication-competent DNA-binding domains (NFI-BD and the POU domain), in a vaccinia virus expression system and purified these polypeptides to apparent homogeneity. By DNase I footprinting and gel retardation, we show that the two proteins, as well as their purified DNA-binding domains, bind independently and without cooperative effects to their recognition sequences. By using a reconstituted system consisting of the purified viral proteins (precursor terminal protein-DNA polymerase complex (pTP-pol) and DNA-binding protein, we show that NFIII/oct-1 or the POU domain stimulates DNA replication in the absence of NFI or NFI-BD and vice versa. When added together, the enhancing effect of the two transcription factors was independent and nonsynergistic. Interestingly, stimulation by NFI or NFI-BD was strongly dependent on the concentration of the pTP-pol complex. At low pTP-pol concentrations, NFI or NFI-BD stimulated up to 50-fold, while at high concentrations, the stimulation was less than twofold, indicating that the need for NFI can be overcome by high pTP-pol concentrations. In contrast, stimulation by NFIII/oct-1 or the POU domain was much less dependent on the pTP-pol concentration. These data support a model in which NFI enhances initiation through an interaction with pTP-pol. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking experiments indicate contacts between pTP-pol and NFI but not NFIII/oct-1. The site of interaction is located in the NFI-BD domain.

The serum-inducible mouse gene Krox-24 encodes a sequence-specific transcriptional activator

The mouse gene Krox-24 is transiently activated during cell cycle reentry. It encodes a protein with three zinc fingers similar to those of the transcription factor Sp1. Here we present a biochemical characterization of the gene products. Krox-24 mRNA is translated into two proteins of 82 and 88 kilodaltons, designated p82Krox-24 and p88Krox-24, respectively. p82Krox-24 is initiated at the first AUG codon of the open reading frame, whereas synthesis of p88Krox-24 starts at a non-AUG codon located upstream. Both proteins were synthesized in HeLa cells infected with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing Krox-24 cDNAs. Under these conditions, they were found phosphorylated on serine residues and glycosylated. The availability of the proteins made possible the determination of the DNA recognition sequence. In vitro, Krox-24 bound specifically to the sequence 5'-GCG(C/G)GGGCG-3'. This sequence is similar but not identical to the Sp1 target sequence. Insertion of an oligomer for the binding site in cis, close to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, rendered this promoter responsive to Krox-24. Krox-24 is therefore a sequence-specific transcriptional activator. Krox-24-binding sites were found upstream of several serum-inducible genes, raising the possibility that Krox-24 is involved in the regulation of these genes.

The serum-inducible mouse gene Krox-24 encodes a sequence-specific transcriptional activator

The mouse gene Krox-24 is transiently activated during cell cycle reentry. It encodes a protein with three zinc fingers similar to those of the transcription factor Sp1. Here we present a biochemical characterization of the gene products. Krox-24 mRNA is translated into two proteins of 82 and 88 kilodaltons, designated p82Krox-24 and p88Krox-24, respectively. p82Krox-24 is initiated at the first AUG codon of the open reading frame, whereas synthesis of p88Krox-24 starts at a non-AUG codon located upstream. Both proteins were synthesized in HeLa cells infected with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing Krox-24 cDNAs. Under these conditions, they were found phosphorylated on serine residues and glycosylated. The availability of the proteins made possible the determination of the DNA recognition sequence. In vitro, Krox-24 bound specifically to the sequence 5'-GCG(C/G)GGGCG-3'. This sequence is similar but not identical to the Sp1 target sequence. Insertion of an oligomer for the binding site in cis, close to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, rendered this promoter responsive to Krox-24. Krox-24 is therefore a sequence-specific transcriptional activator. Krox-24-binding sites were found upstream of several serum-inducible genes, raising the possibility that Krox-24 is involved in the regulation of these genes.

A myosin-like dimerization helix and an extra-large homeodomain are essential elements of the tripartite DNA binding structure of LFB1

The transcription activator LFB1 is a major determinant of hepatocyte-specific expression of many genes. To study the mechanisms underlying LFB1 transcriptional selectivity, we have initiated its biochemical characterization. By in vitro complementation assays we have defined two distinct regions required for high levels of transcription, which resemble previously described activation domains. In contrast, the region of LFB1 necessary for DNA binding displays several novel features. The DNA binding domain is tripartite, including a homeodomain of unusual length (81 amino acids) and an N-terminal helix similar to part of myosin. This helical region mediates dimerization, which is shown to be essential for DNA binding.

Vaccinia virus vectors: new strategies for producing recombinant vaccines

The development and continued refinement of techniques for the efficient insertion and expression of heterologous DNA sequences from within the genomic context of infectious vaccinia virus recombinants are among the most promising current approaches towards effective immunoprophylaxis against a variety of protozoan, viral, and bacterial human pathogens. Because of its medical relevance, this area is the subject of intense research interest and has evolved rapidly during the past several years. This review (i) provides an updated overview of the technology that exists for assembling recombinant vaccinia virus strains, (ii) discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, (iii) outlines the areas of outgoing research directed towards overcoming the limitations of current techniques, and (iv) provides some insight (i.e., speculation) about probable future refinements in the use of vaccinia virus as a vector.

Expression of adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase in insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus

Sequences encoding adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase were placed under control of the polyhedrin promoter and inserted into the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus by homologous recombination. Insect cells infected with the recombinant virus produced substantial amounts of the adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase protein which was functional in both DNA polymerase and replication initiation reactions. Thus, the baculovirus expression system can provide active adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase that is produced in quantities suitable for biochemical and structural analysis.

Adenovirus DNA-binding protein forms a multimeric protein complex with double-stranded DNA and enhances binding of nuclear factor I

The 72-kilodalton adenovirus DNA-binding protein (DBP) binds to single-stranded DNA as well as to RNA and double-stranded DNA and is essential for the replication of viral DNA. We investigated the binding of DBP to double-stranded DNA by gel retardation analysis. By using a 114-base-pair DNA fragment, five or six different complexes were observed by gel retardation. The mobility of these complexes is dependent on the DBP concentration, suggesting that the complexes arise by sequential binding of DBP molecules to the DNA. In contrast to binding to single-stranded DNA, the binding of DBP to double-stranded DNA appears to be noncooperative. DBP binds to linear DNA as well as to circular DNA, while linear DNA containing the adenovirus terminal protein was also recognized. No specificity for adenovirus origin sequences was observed. To study whether the binding of DBP could influence initiation of DNA replication, we analyzed the effect of DBP on the binding of nuclear factor I (NFI) and NFIII, two sequence-specific origin-recognizing proteins that enhance initiation. At subsaturating levels of NFI, DBP increases the rate of binding of NFI considerably, while no effect was seen on NFIII. This stimulation of NFI binding is specific for DBP and was not observed with another protein (NFIV), which forms a similar DNA-multimeric protein complex. In agreement with enhanced NFI binding, DBP stimulates initiation of adenovirus DNA replication in vitro especially strongly at subsaturating NFI concentrations. We explain our results by assuming that DBP forms a complex with origin DNA that promotes formation of an alternative DNA structure, thereby facilitating the binding of NFI as well as the initiation of DNA replication via NFI.

Mechanism of inhibition of adenovirus DNA replication by the acyclic nucleoside triphosphate analogue (S)-HPMPApp: influence of the adenovirus DNA binding protein

The acyclic adenosine analogue (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [S]-HPMPA) is a potent and selective inhibitor of adenovirus (Ad) replication in cell culture. We studied the mechanism of inhibition using a reconstituted in vitro DNA replication system. The diphosphoryl derivative (S)-HPMPApp, but not (S)-HPMPA, inhibited the DNA replication of origin containing fragments strongly. The inhibitory effect was exerted at the level of elongation, while initiation was resistant to the drug. Remarkably, the elongation of short strands was only slightly impaired, while inhibition was maximal upon synthesis of long DNA fragments. (S)-HPMPApp appeared to be competitive with dATP, suggesting that the Ad DNA polymerase is the prime target for the drug. We purified the Ad DNA polymerase in complex to the precursor terminal protein to homogeneity from cells infected with overproducing recombinant vaccinia viruses. Employing gapped DNA or poly(dT).oligo(dA) templates, only a weak inhibition was observed. However, inhibition was strongly enhanced in the presence of the adenovirus DNA binding protein (DBP). We interpret this to mean that the increased processivity of the polymerization reaction in the presence of DBP leads to increased drug sensitivity.

The liver-specific transcription factor LF-B1 contains a highly diverged homeobox DNA binding domain

The nuclear protein LF-B1 (also referred to as HNF-1) is a transcription activator required for the expression of several liver-specific genes. LF-B1 has been purified to homogeneity from rat liver nuclear extracts. The sequence of the protein has been partially determined and, subsequently, overlapping cDNA clones containing the entire open reading frame of LF-B1 were isolated. The full-length cDNA encodes a 628 amino acid protein and directs the synthesis in vitro of a protein capable of binding DNA with the same specificity as LF-B1. The cDNA was recombined into a vaccinia virus vector and active LF-B1 was obtained from infected HeLa cells. Addition of the vaccinia recombinant protein to rat spleen extracts results in activation of transcription of an LF-B1-dependent promoter. The DNA binding domain of LF-B1 is located in the amino-terminal part of the protein and displays distant structural similarity to the homeobox domain. The distribution of LF-B1 mRNA is restricted to liver, which correlates with the tissue-specific expression of its target genes.

HeLa nuclear protein recognizing DNA termini and translocating on DNA forming a regular DNA-multimeric protein complex

Employing an exonuclease III protection assay we detected a protein in crude HeLa nuclear extracts binding, with apparent sequence specificity, to molecular ends of adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) DNA. This protein, designated nuclear factor IV (NFIV), was purified to homogeneity and was shown to be a hetero-dimer of 72,000 and 84,000 Mr. Binding to terminal Ad2 sequences was strongly enhanced by the presence of either of the sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins nuclear factor I and nuclear factor III. These proteins appeared to function as blockades for translocation of NFIV on DNA, thus producing apparent sequence specificity. In the absence of such a blockade, NFIV moved freely, without energy input, on any double-stranded DNA forming a regular DNA-multimeric protein complex as shown by methidiumpropyl EDTA footprinting and electron microscopy. Binding is completely dependent upon the presence of molecular ends. Evidence was obtained for a two-step mechanism in which termini are recognized by NFIV and used as a starting point for subsequent translocation. The possible functions of the protein in adenovirus DNA replication and in cellular processes requiring DNA termini are discussed.

Anti-OTF-1 antibodies inhibit NFIII stimulation of in vitro adenovirus DNA replication

HeLa cell OTF-1 has been purified on the basis of its DNA binding activity and used to raise a polyclonal rabbit antiserum. This antiserum is shown to recognize both native and denatured OTF-1 from both human and a similar protein from Xenopus culture cells, but to react either more weakly or not at all with the lymphoid cell-specific OTF-2. Separately, NFIII has been purified on the basis of its ability to stimulate Adenovirus DNA replication in vitro. On denaturing polyacrylamide gels OTF-1 and NFIII exhibit identical mobility. Anti-OTF-1 antiserum recognizes NFIII and neutralizes its stimulatory effect on DNA replication. Moreover, OTF-1 can functionally replace NFIII. Taken together with previously published DNA binding data, this indicates that OTF-1 and NFIII are either very closely related or identical.

Recognition mechanisms in the synthesis of animal virus DNA

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Interaction between the octamer-binding protein nuclear factor III and the adenovirus origin of DNA replication

Nuclear factor III (NFIII) is a HeLa sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that stimulates initiation of adenovirus DNA replication in vitro and may be involved in regulation of transcription of several cellular and viral genes. We have studied the interaction between NFIII and the binding site in the adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) origin in detail by methidiumpropyl-EDTA.iron(II) and hydroxyl radical footprinting and by alkylation interference experiments. Our results indicate that (i) the core of the recognition sequence is 5'-TATGATAAT-3'; (ii) both major and minor groove base contacts are detected, and all base pairs in the core are involved in binding; (iii) many backbone contacts are observed divided into a large domain coinciding with the core and a small domain; (iv) contact points are not confined to one side of the DNA helix in contrast to the nuclear factor I (NFI)-binding site; (v) the binding site overlaps the NFI-binding site for at least one nucleotide. A number of Ad2 mutants as well as related binding sites in the origins of other adenovirus serotypes were systematically compared for binding with NFIII. The results are in good agreement with the contact point studies and show that at least one AT base pair is commonly required by NFI and NFIII for optimal binding. The strongest binding site, which contains the octamer/decanucleotide motif (ATGCAAAT[NA]), was found in the Ad4 origin, which lacks an NFI-binding site. Stimulation of in vitro DNA replication of Ad2, Ad4, and Ad12 by NFIII showed that the maximal level of stimulation is dependent on the affinity of NFIII for the origin.