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Roach HI, Yamada N, Cheung KSC, Tilley S, Clarke NMP, Oreffo ROC, Kokubun S, Bronner F. Association between the abnormal expression of matrix-degrading enzymes by human osteoarthritic chondrocytes and demethylation of specific CpG sites in the promoter regions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:3110-24. [PMID: 16200590 DOI: 10.1002/art.21300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the abnormal expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 3, 9, and 13 and ADAMTS-4 by human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes is associated with epigenetic "unsilencing." METHODS Cartilage was obtained from the femoral heads of 16 patients with OA and 10 control patients with femoral neck fracture. Chondrocytes with abnormal enzyme expression were immunolocalized. DNA was extracted, and the methylation status of the promoter regions of MMPs 3, 9, and 13 and ADAMTS-4 was analyzed with methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification. RESULTS Very few chondrocytes from control cartilage expressed the degrading enzymes, whereas all clonal chondrocytes from late-stage OA cartilage were immunopositive. The overall percentage of non-methylated sites was increased in OA patients (48.6%) compared with controls (20.1%): 20% versus 4% for MMP-13, 81% versus 47% for MMP-9, 57% versus 30% for MMP-3, and 48% versus 0% for ADAMTS-4. Not all CpG sites were equally susceptible to loss of methylation. Some sites were uniformly methylated, whereas in others, methylation was generally absent. For each enzyme, there was 1 specific CpG site where the demethylation in OA patients was significantly higher than that in controls: at -110 for MMP-13, -36 for MMP-9, -635 for MMP-3, and -753 for ADAMTS-4. CONCLUSION This study provides the first evidence that altered synthesis of cartilage-degrading enzymes by late-stage OA chondrocytes may have resulted from epigenetic changes in the methylation status of CpG sites in the promoter regions of these enzymes. These changes, which are clonally transmitted to daughter cells, may contribute to the development of OA.
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52
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Peng R, Moses SC, Tan J, Kremmer E, Ling PD. The Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-LP protein preferentially coactivates EBNA2-mediated stimulation of latent membrane proteins expressed from the viral divergent promoter. J Virol 2005; 79:4492-505. [PMID: 15767449 PMCID: PMC1061541 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.7.4492-4505.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic contribution of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA-LP protein to B-cell immortalization remains an enigma. However, previous studies have indicated that EBNA-LP may contribute to immortalization by enhancing EBNA2-mediated transcriptional activation of the LMP-1 gene. To gain further insight into the potential role EBNA-LP has in EBV-mediated B-cell immortalization, we asked whether it is a global or gene-specific coactivator of EBNA2 and whether coactivation requires interaction between these proteins. In type I Burkitt's lymphoma cells, we found that EBNA-LP strongly coactivated EBNA2 stimulation of LMP-1 and LMP2B RNAs, which are expressed from the viral divergent promoter. Surprisingly, the viral LMP2A gene and cellular CD21 and Hes-1 genes were induced by EBNA2 but showed no further induction after EBNA-LP coexpression. We also found that EBNA-LP did not stably interact with EBNA2 in coimmunoprecipitation assays, even though the conditions were adequate to observe specific interactions between EBNA2 and its cellular cofactor, CBF1. Colocalization between EBNA2 and EBNA-LP was not detectable in EBV-transformed cell lines or transfected type I Burkitt's cells. Finally, no significant interactions between EBNA2 and EBNA-LP were found with mammalian two-hybrid assays. From this data, we conclude that EBNA-LP is not a global coactivator of EBNA2 targets, but it preferentially coactivates EBNA2 stimulation of the viral divergent promoter. While this may require specific transient interactions between these proteins that only occur in the context of the divergent promoter, our data strongly suggest that EBNA-LP also cooperates with EBNA2 through mechanisms that do not require direct or indirect complex formation between these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongsheng Peng
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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53
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Stempak JM, Sohn KJ, Chiang EP, Shane B, Kim YI. Cell and stage of transformation-specific effects of folate deficiency on methionine cycle intermediates and DNA methylation in an in vitro model. Carcinogenesis 2005; 26:981-90. [PMID: 15695236 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgi037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate is an essential co-factor in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, thereby ensuring the supply of S-adenosylmethionine, the methyl group donor for most biological methylations, including that of DNA. Aberrant patterns and dysregulation of DNA methylation are consistent events in carcinogenesis and hence, DNA methylation is considered to be mechanistically related to the development of cancer. Folate deficiency appears to increase the risk of several malignancies, and aberrant DNA methylation has been considered to be a leading mechanism by which folate deficiency enhances carcinogenesis. Although diets deficient in methyl group donors (choline, folate, methionine and vitamin B12) have been consistently observed to induce DNA hypomethylation, the effect of an isolated folate deficiency on DNA methylation remains highly controversial and unresolved. Whether or not isolated folate deficiency can modulate DNA methylation is an important issue because it would establish a mechanistic link between folate deficiency and cancer. We examined the effects of isolated folate deficiency on methionine cycle intermediates, genomic and site-specific DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase in an in vitro model of folate deficiency, using untransformed NIH/3T3 and CHO-K1 cells, and human HCT116 and Caco-2 colon cancer cells. Our data demonstrate that the effect of folate deficiency on the methionine cycle pathway and DNA methylation in these cells is highly complex and appears to depend on the cell type and stage of transformation, and may be gene and site-specific. The direction of changes of methionine cycle intermediates in response to folate deficiency is not uniformly consistent with the known biochemical effect of folate on the methionine cycle pathway. Moreover, the effect of folate deficiency on DNA methylation appears to be mediated by both methionine cycle intermediate-dependent and independent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Stempak
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.
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54
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Schlee M, Krug T, Gires O, Zeidler R, Hammerschmidt W, Mailhammer R, Laux G, Sauer G, Lovric J, Bornkamm GW. Identification of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) target proteins by proteome analysis: activation of EBNA2 in conditionally immortalized B cells reflects early events after infection of primary B cells by EBV. J Virol 2004; 78:3941-52. [PMID: 15047810 PMCID: PMC374249 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.8.3941-3952.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous B-lymphotropic herpesvirus associated with several malignant tumors, e.g., Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, and is able to efficiently immortalize primary B lymphocytes in vitro. The growth program of infected B cells is initiated and maintained by the viral transcription factor EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), which regulates viral and cellular genes, including the proto-oncogene c-myc. In our study, patterns of protein expression in B cells with and without EBNA2 were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. For this purpose, we used a conditional immortalization system for EBV, a B cell line (EREB2-5) that expresses an estrogen receptor-EBNA2 fusion protein. In order to discriminate downstream targets of c-Myc from c-Myc-independent EBNA2 targets, we used an EREB2-5-derived cell line, P493-6, in which c-Myc is expressed under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter. Of 20 identified EBNA2 target proteins, 11 were c-Myc dependent and therefore most probably associated with proliferation, and one of these proteins was a posttranslationally modified protein, i.e., hypusinylated eIF5a. Finally, to estimate the relevance of EBNA2 targets during early EBV infection, we analyzed the proteomes of primary B cells before and after infection with EBV. The protein expression pattern induced upon EBV infection was similar to that following EBNA2 activation. These findings underscore the value of EREB2-5 cells as an appropriate model system for the analysis of early events in the process of EBV-mediated B-cell immortalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schlee
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, GSF-National Research Center for EnvironmentHealth, Munich, Germany.
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55
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Carvin CD, Parr RD, Kladde MP. Site-selective in vivo targeting of cytosine-5 DNA methylation by zinc-finger proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 31:6493-501. [PMID: 14602907 PMCID: PMC275549 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosine-5 DNA methylation is a critical signal defining heritable epigenetic states of transcription. As aberrant methylation patterns often accompany disease states, the ability to target cytosine methylation to preselected regions could prove valuable in re-establishing proper gene regulation. We employ the strategy of targeted gene methylation in yeast, which has a naturally unmethylated genome, selectively directing de novo DNA methylation via the fusion of C5 DNA methyltransferases to heterologous DNA-binding proteins. The zinc-finger proteins Zif268 and Zip53 can target DNA methylation by M.CviPI or M.SssI 5-52 nt from single zinc-factor binding sites. Modification at specific GC (M.CviPI) or CG (M.SssI) sites is enhanced as much as 20-fold compared with strains expressing either the free enzyme or a fusion protein with the zinc-finger protein moiety unable to bind to DNA. Interestingly, methylation is also selectively targeted as far as 353 nt from the zinc-finger protein binding sites, possibly indicative of looping, nucleosomes or higher-order chromatin structure. These data demonstrate that methylation can be targeted in vivo to a potentially broad range of sequences using specifically engineered zinc-finger proteins. Further more, the selective targeting of methylation by zinc-finger proteins demonstrates that binding of distinct classes of factors can be monitored in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Carvin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2128, USA
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56
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Chan ATC, Tao Q, Robertson KD, Flinn IW, Mann RB, Klencke B, Kwan WH, Leung TWT, Johnson PJ, Ambinder RF. Azacitidine Induces Demethylation of the Epstein-Barr Virus Genome in Tumors. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22:1373-81. [PMID: 15007085 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2004.04.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeTo determine whether therapy with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor is effective in achieving demethylation and gene re-expression in tumor DNA in patients.MethodsBiopsy specimens were obtained from patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumors, enrolled on a clinical trial of 5-azacitidine, within 72 hours of the conclusion of the last infusion of the first cycle of therapy, and compared to pretreatment specimens. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, bisulfite genomic sequencing, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess demethylation and gene re-expression.ResultsSubstantial degrees of demethylation were detected in all latent and lytic Epstein-Barr virus promoters examined. Immunohistochemistry suggested activation of a previously silent viral antigen expression in one instance.ConclusionPharmacologic reversal of dense CpG methylation in tumor tissue can be achieved in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony T C Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
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57
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Li H, Minarovits J. Host cell-dependent expression of latent Epstein-Barr virus genomes: regulation by DNA methylation. Adv Cancer Res 2003; 89:133-56. [PMID: 14587872 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(03)01004-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human gammaherpesvirus associated with a wide spectrum of malignant neoplasms. Expression of latent (growth transformation-associated) EBV genes is host cell specific. Transcripts for EBV-encoded nuclear antigens (EBNAs) are initiated at one of the alternative promoters: Wp, Cp (for EBNA1-6), or Qp (for EBNA1 only). Wp is active shortly after EBV infection of human B cells in vitro but is progressively methylated and silenced in established lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). In parallel Cp, an unmethylated, lymphoid-specific promoter is switched on. In contrast, Cp is methylated and silent in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, which keep the phenotype of BL biopsy cells (group I BL lines). These cells use Qp for the initiation of EBNA1 messages. Qp is unmethylated both in group I BLs (Qp on) and in LCLs (Qp off). Thus, DNA methylation does not play a role in silencing Qp. In LCLs and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, transcripts for latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) are initiated from LMP1p, a promoter regulated by CpG methylation. LMPlp is silent in group I BL lines but can be activated by demethylating agents. Promoter silencing by CpG methylation involves both direct interference with transcription factor binding (Wp, Cp) and indirect mechanisms involving the recruitment of histone deacetylases (LMPlp). A dyad symmetry sequence(DS) within oriP (the latent origin of EBV replication) and intragenic RNA polymerase III control regions of EBER 1 and 2 transcription units are invariably unmethylated in EBV-carrying cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hul Li
- Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary
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58
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Tao Q, Robertson KD. Stealth technology: how Epstein-Barr virus utilizes DNA methylation to cloak itself from immune detection. Clin Immunol 2003; 109:53-63. [PMID: 14585276 DOI: 10.1016/s1521-6616(03)00198-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a large lymphotrophic DNA virus that establishes life-long residency in the infected host and is associated with a number of human tumors. The EBV genome encodes proteins essential for persistence, an oncoprotein, and proteins that render it vulnerable to the host's immune system; therefore, EBV gene transcription is tightly regulated. One critically important regulatory mechanism utilized by EBV is DNA methylation. Methylation of cytosines within CpG dinucleotides at promoter regions is important for gene silencing and genome integrity. Although most parasitic elements are methylated in mammalian cells never to be reactivated again, EBV has evolved to utilize DNA methylation to maximize persistence and cloak itself from immune detection. EBV's reliance on DNA methylation also provides a unique therapeutic strategy for the treatment of EBV-associated tumors. DNA demethylating agents are capable of reactivating transcription of highly immunogenic viral proteins, rendering tumor cells susceptible to killing by the host immune system, and inducing the viral lytic cycle which culminates in cell lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Tao
- Tumor Virology/Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Singapore, Level 5, Clinical Research Center, NUS, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597
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59
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Salamon D, Takacs M, Schwarzmann F, Wolf H, Minarovits J, Niller HH. High-resolution methylation analysis and in vivo protein-DNA binding at the promoter of the viral oncogene LMP2A in B cell lines carrying latent Epstein-Barr virus genomes. Virus Genes 2003; 27:57-66. [PMID: 12913358 DOI: 10.1023/a:1025124519068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Latency protein LMP2A of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in EBV related tumorigenesis. To understand the host cell dependent expression of the LMP2A gene, it is necessary to analyse the regulatory mechanisms of the LMP2A promoter (LMP2Ap). By transient transfection and in vitro binding analyses two CBF1 sites have previously been shown to be involved in the regulation of LMP2Ap. However, the promoter structure has not been examined at the nucleotide level in vivo. Therefore we undertook a comprehensive analysis of in vivo protein binding and of CpG-methylation patterns at LMP2Ap in a panel of B cell lines carrying latent EBV genomes. The presence of characteristic footprints on two CBF1 and further binding-sites, together with overall hypomethylation of CpG dinucleotides correlated well with promoter activity. In contrast, the absence of several genomic footprints, as well as the presence of patches of highly methylated CpG dinucleotides were characteristic of silent LMP2Aps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Salamon
- Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö ut 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary
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60
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Yoshioka M, Kikuta H, Ishiguro N, Endo R, Kobayashi K. Latency pattern of Epstein-Barr virus and methylation status in Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. J Med Virol 2003; 70:410-9. [PMID: 12767005 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Expression of different panels of latent gene transcripts is controlled by usage of three distinct Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA) promoters (Wp, Cp, and Qp). EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, which is often a fatal disease and generally occurs after primary EBV infection, is characterized by monoclonal or oligoclonal proliferation of EBV-infected T cells. The latency pattern and EBNA promoter (Wp, Cp, and Qp) usage in EBV-infected cells from three patients with EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three samples from the patients expressed EBER, EBNA1, EBNA2, latent membrane protein (LMP)1, and LMP2A transcripts. The transcripts of EBNA1 were initiated from not only Wp/Cp but also Qp. Lytic cycle Fp-initiated EBNA1 and EBV lytic gene BZLF1 transcripts were not detected. The methylation statuses of three EBNA promoters in three patients with EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and in two patients with infectious mononucleosis were also analyzed using bisulfite PCR analysis. Wp was hypermethylated, and Qp was unmethylated in both diseases. Cp was highly methylated in EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, however, whereas Cp was almost unmethylated in infectious mononucleosis. These results suggest that there may be distinct EBV-infected cell populations in EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, which exhibit different patterns of EBV latent gene expression. The methylation status in Cp and phenotype of EBV-infected cells may be critical differences in EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and infectious mononucleosis.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Viral/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/biosynthesis
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Child, Preschool
- DNA Methylation
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens/biosynthesis
- Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens/genetics
- Female
- Gene Silencing
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology
- Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell/blood
- Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell/metabolism
- Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell/virology
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
- Male
- Nuclear Proteins/biosynthesis
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Ribosomal Proteins
- Spleen/metabolism
- Spleen/virology
- Trans-Activators/biosynthesis
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Viral Matrix Proteins/biosynthesis
- Viral Matrix Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins
- Virus Latency
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikio Yoshioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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61
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Yoshioka M, Kikuta H, Ishiguro N, Ma X, Kobayashi K. Unique Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent gene expression, EBNA promoter usage and EBNA promoter methylation status in chronic active EBV infection. J Gen Virol 2003; 84:1133-1140. [PMID: 12692278 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.18777-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) has been considered to be a non-neoplastic T-cell lymphoproliferative disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. In EBV-associated diseases, the cell phenotype-dependent differences in EBV latent gene expression may reflect the strategy of the virus in relation to latent infection. We previously reported that EBV latent gene expression was restricted; EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) transcripts were consistently detected in all spleen samples from five CAEBV patients, but EBNA2 transcripts were detected in only one sample. EBV latent gene expression is controlled by distinct usage of three EBNA promoters (Cp, Wp and Qp). In this study, we examined the EBNA promoter usage by RT-PCR and the methylation status in the Cp and Wp regions using bisulfite PCR analysis in spleen samples from CAEBV patients. EBNA1 transcripts were unexpectedly initiated not from Qp but from Cp in all samples in spite of the restricted form of latency. Furthermore, while Cp was active, Cp was heavily methylated, indicating that CAEBV has unique EBV latent gene expression, EBNA promoter usage and EBNA promoter methylation status, in part due to unique splicing of Cp-initiated transcripts and an activation mechanism in hypermethylated Cp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikio Yoshioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Hideaki Kikuta
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Ishiguro
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Xiaoming Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Kobayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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Tanaka J, Ishida T, Choi BI, Yasuda J, Watanabe T, Iwakura Y. Latent HIV-1 reactivation in transgenic mice requires cell cycle -dependent demethylation of CREB/ATF sites in the LTR. AIDS 2003; 17:167-75. [PMID: 12545075 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200301240-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously produced a line of transgenic mice that carried the HIV-1 genome deficient in the gene. Although the HIV-1 genome in the lymphocytes was dormant under normal physiological conditions, it could be reactivated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration via induction of interleukin-1alpha/beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. In this report, we analysed further the reactivation mechanism of the latent HIV-1 using this transgenic mouse model. DESIGN and methods: Possible involvement of CpG methylation in HIV-1 latency was examined by treating transgenic lymphocytes with a demethylating agent, 5'-azacytidine. CpG methylation in the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) was analysed using the bisulfite genomic sequencing method. As previous studies suggested that CpG demethylation depended on the cell cycle progression, we analysed the relation between cell cycle progression and LPS-induced reactivation of HIV-1 by labelling lymphocytes with an intracellular fluorescein, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. RESULTS We found that 5'-azacytidine enhanced HIV-1 expression ninefold compared to treatment with LPS alone. Furthermore, HIV-1 p24 induction by LPS was observed only in cells that had undergone cell division, while induction was prevented in cells in which cell cycle progression was blocked either by mimosine, aphidicolin, or nocodazole. LPS-induced HIV-1 reactivation was associated with demethylation of two CpG sites located in the CREB/ATF binding sites in the HIV-1 LTR in a cell cycle-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS These observations indicate that cell cycle progression-dependent demethylation of the CREB/ATF sites in the LTR is crucial for the reactivation of latent HIV-1 genome in transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tanaka
- Center for Experimental Medicine and the Department of Cancer Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
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63
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Thomas RM, Haleem K, Siddique AB, Simmons WJ, Sen N, Zhang DJ, Tsiagbe VK. Regulation of mouse mammary tumor virus env transcriptional activator initiated mammary tumor virus superantigen transcripts in lymphomas of SJL/J mice: role of Ikaros, demethylation, and chromatin structural change in the transcriptional activation of mammary tumor virus superantigen. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 170:218-27. [PMID: 12496403 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.1.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammary tumor virus (Mtv29)-encoded superantigen expressed by SJL/J mouse B cell lymphomas stimulates CD4+V16+ T cells and thereby acquires T cell help necessary for lymphoma growth. Mtv29 mouse mammary tumor virus env transcriptional activator (META) env-controlled Mtv29 superantigen (vSAg29) mRNA transcripts (1.8 kb) are not expressed in normal B or other somatic cells. Real-time PCR-based assays with DNA from normal SJL liver and vSAg29- lymphoma (cNJ101), digested with methylation-sensitive enzymes, showed hypermethylation at AvaI, FspI, HpaII, ThaI, and the distal HgaI sites of the META env, but vSAg29+ lymphoma cells showed significant demethylation at AvaI, HpaII, and the distal HgaI sites. The distal HgaI site that is adjacent to an Ikaros binding site is significantly demethylated in the META env DNA from primary lymphomas. Gel shift assays showed binding of Ikaros to a sequence representing this region in the META env. SJL lymphomas expressed the Ikaros isoform Ik6 that was absent in normal B cells. vSAg29+ cells exhibited increased DNaseI accessibility to chromatin at the vSAg29 initiation site. Treatment of cNJ101 cells with a demethylating agent, 5-azacytidine, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, caused hypomethylation at AvaI, HpaII, and distal HgaI sites and led to chromatin structural change at the vSAg29 initiation site, accompanied by the expression of vSAg29 transcripts. This enabled cNJ101 cells to stimulate SJL lymphoma-responsive CD4+V16+ T hybridoma cells. Thus, demethylation at the distal HgaI site of the Mtv29 META env permits vSAg29 expression, which may have an impact on the development of germinal center-derived B cell lymphomas of SJL/J mice.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- Chromatin/chemistry
- Chromatin/enzymology
- Chromatin/metabolism
- DNA Methylation
- DNA-Binding Proteins
- Deoxyribonuclease I/metabolism
- Female
- Genes, env/physiology
- Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology
- Ikaros Transcription Factor
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/genetics
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/immunology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/virology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/immunology
- Mice
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- Retroviridae Infections/genetics
- Retroviridae Infections/immunology
- Superantigens/genetics
- Superantigens/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/physiology
- Transcription Factors/physiology
- Transcription, Genetic/immunology
- Transcriptional Activation/immunology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Virus Infections/genetics
- Tumor Virus Infections/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan M Thomas
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Kaplan Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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64
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Giles MS, Smith PG, Coletta PL, Hall KT, Whitehouse A. The herpesvirus saimiri ORF 73 regulatory region provides long-term transgene expression in human carcinoma cell lines. Cancer Gene Ther 2003; 10:49-56. [PMID: 12489028 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is capable of establishing a persistent infection in a variety of human carcinoma cell lines, by virtue of episomal maintenance. Moreover, the viral episome provides expression of a transgene in both in vitro and in vivo environments. At present, HVS vectors utilize heterologous promoters such as the IE hCMV promoter. However, this promoter maybe unsuitable for long-term expression in vivo, as promoter silencing has been observed in this and other herpesvirus-based vector systems. Ideal regulatory regions would be functional when the herpesvirus genome is maintained as a latent episome. We have previously shown that gene expression in an HVS-persistently-infected human carcinoma cell line is limited to an adjacent set of genes encoding ORFs 71-73. These genes are transcribed as a polycistronic mRNA species from a common regulatory region upstream of the ORF 73 gene. In this report, we assess the potential of the ORF 73 regulatory region to provide heterologous gene expression in a wide variety of human cancer cell lines. We demonstrate, utilizing transient transfection assays, that the ORF 73 regulatory region can provide transgene expression in a variety of human carcinoma cell lines, although levels of transgene expression are not as high as achieved under the control of heterologous promoters such as the IE hCMV promoter. Furthermore, incorporation of the minimal ORF 73 regulatory region in a recombinant HVS-based vector provides sustained expression of the green fluorescent protein in both in vitro and in vivo environments. These results suggest that the ORF 73 regulatory region may be suitable for use in HVS-based cancer gene therapy applications.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/metabolism
- Animals
- Blotting, Southern
- Cell Division
- Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Genetic Therapy
- Genetic Vectors
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
- Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine/genetics
- Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine/metabolism
- Humans
- Luminescent Proteins
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Open Reading Frames/physiology
- Plasmids/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Transfection
- Transgenes
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Tumor Cells, Cultured/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew S Giles
- Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, UK
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65
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Vo QN, Geradts J, Gulley ML, Boudreau DA, Bravo JC, Schneider BG. Epstein-Barr virus in gastric adenocarcinomas: association with ethnicity and CDKN2A promoter methylation. J Clin Pathol 2002; 55:669-75. [PMID: 12194996 PMCID: PMC1769746 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.55.9.669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS It has been shown previously (by immunohistochemistry) that gastric adenocarcinomas harbouring Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) frequently lose p16 protein. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms of inactivation of the CDKN2A gene and correlate the results with clinicopathological features. METHODS Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CDKN2A promoter methylation in gastric adenocarcinomas from American patients. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to detect the loss of the p16 protein and in situ hybridisation was used to detect the presence of EBV. The tumours were also analysed for the presence of microsatellite instability. RESULTS Eleven (10%) of 107 tumours harboured EBV in the malignant cells. In gastric cancers without EBV, 32% exhibited CDKN2A promoter methylation and 26% had p16 protein loss. In contrast, 91% of the tumours containing EBV had CDKN2A promoter methylation (p = 0.0003) and 90% showed p16 protein loss (p = 0.0001). The presence of EBV was also associated with male sex (p = 0.03) and was more common in tumours from Texas Hispanics than from non-Hispanic whites or African-Americans (p = 0.01). EBV was not associated with microsatellite instability, histological subtype, stage, or grade of the tumour, or age or survival time of the patient. CONCLUSIONS The presence of EBV in gastric adenocarcinomas is strongly associated with CDKN2A inactivation by promoter methylation. In addition, these findings suggest that there are ethnic differences in tumour virology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q N Vo
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Stanley Scott Cancer Center, New Orleans 70112, USA
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66
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Paulson EJ, Fingeroth JD, Yates JL, Speck SH. Methylation of the EBV genome and establishment of restricted latency in low-passage EBV-infected 293 epithelial cells. Virology 2002; 299:109-21. [PMID: 12167346 DOI: 10.1006/viro.2002.1457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes multiple latency programs: a growth-transforming program (type III) latency program and restricted-latency (types I and II) programs. During type III latency, EBV expresses six nuclear antigens, all of which are encoded by a single complex transcriptional unit driven by two linked promoters, Cp and Wp, while restricted viral latency is characterized by the expression of a single nuclear antigen, EBNA1, whose expression is driven from a distinct transcription unit under the control of the Qp promoter. EBV infection of the 293 epithelial cell line frequently leads to the establishment of a type I/II latent infection. Here we report that during the initial stages of virus infection of the 293 cell line, both Cp and Wp are active. However, analysis of four established, low-passage EBV-infected 293 cell lines revealed that three of these exhibited Qp-driven transcription of the EBNA 1 gene and little or no detectable Cp and Wp activity, while the fourth cell line exhibited Cp activity. Notably, all four cell lines contained the necessary transcription factors to drive transcription initiation from Cp and Wp when transiently transfected with unmethylated reporter constructs. Furthermore, in the cell lines exhibiting restricted EBV latency the viral genomes were extensively methylated around Cp and Wp, but not Qp. In contrast, in the cell line exhibiting Cp activity the viral genomes were hypomethylated around Cp, Wp, and Qp. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the establishment of a restricted latent infection in the 293 epithelial cell line is not due to a failure to initiate the growth-transforming (type III) latency program, but rather may arise from a selection against the type III latency program. Furthermore, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that methylation of Cp and Wp is required for entry into the type I or II latency programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Paulson
- Immunology Graduate Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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67
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Moore SM, Cannon JS, Tanhehco YC, Hamzeh FM, Ambinder RF. Induction of Epstein-Barr virus kinases to sensitize tumor cells to nucleoside analogues. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2001; 45:2082-91. [PMID: 11408227 PMCID: PMC90604 DOI: 10.1128/aac.45.7.2082-2091.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tumor cells of some EBV-associated malignancies may facilitate selective killing of these tumor cells. We show that treatment of an EBV(+) Burkitt's lymphoma cell line with 5-azacytidine led to a dose-dependent induction of EBV lytic antigen expression, including expression of the viral thymidine kinase (TK) and phosphotransferase (PT). Azacytidine treatment for 24 h modestly sensitized the cell line to all nucleosides tested. To better characterize EBV TK with regard to various nucleoside analogues, we expressed EBV TK in stable cell clones. Two EBV TK-expressing clones were moderately sensitive to high doses of acyclovir and penciclovir (PCV) (62.5 to 500 microM) and to lower doses of ganciclovir (GCV) and bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVdU) (10 to 100 microM) compared to a control clone and were shown to phosphorylate GCV. Similar experiments in a transient overexpression system showed more killing of cells transfected with the EBV TK expression vector than of cells transfected with the control mutant vector (50 microM GCV for 4 days). A putative PT was also studied in the transient transfection system and appeared similar to the TK in phosphorylating GCV and conferring sensitivity to GCV, but not in BVdU- or PCV-mediated cell killing. Induction of EBV kinases in combination with agents such as GCV merits further evaluation as an alternative strategy to gene therapy for selective killing of EBV-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Moore
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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68
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Chen J, Ueda K, Sakakibara S, Okuno T, Parravicini C, Corbellino M, Yamanishi K. Activation of latent Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by demethylation of the promoter of the lytic transactivator. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:4119-24. [PMID: 11274437 PMCID: PMC31189 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.051004198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is strongly linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphomas, and a subset of multicentric Castleman's disease. The mechanism by which this virus establishes latency and reactivation is unknown. KSHV Lyta (lytic transactivator, also named KSHV/Rta), mainly encoded by the ORF 50 gene, is a lytic switch gene for viral reactivation from latency, inasmuch as it is both essential and sufficient to drive the entire viral lytic cycle. Here we show that the Lyta promoter region was heavily methylated in latently infected cells. Treatment of primary effusion lymphoma-delivered cell lines with tetradecanoylphorbol acetate caused demethylation of the Lyta promoter and induced KSHV lytic phase in vitro. Methylation cassette assay shows demethylation of the Lyta promoter region was essential for the expression of Lyta. In vivo, biopsy samples obtained from patients with KSHV-related diseases show the most demethylation in the Lyta promoter region, whereas samples from a latently infected KSHV carrier remained in a methylated status. These results suggest a relationship among a demethylation status in the Lyta promoter, the reactivation of KSHV, and the development of KSHV-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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69
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Cohen K, Scadden DT. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment. Cancer Treat Res 2001; 104:201-30. [PMID: 11191128 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-1601-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
MESH Headings
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
- Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
- Bleomycin/therapeutic use
- California
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use
- Dexamethasone/therapeutic use
- Doxorubicin/therapeutic use
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/isolation & purification
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/complications
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology
- Male
- Prognosis
- Registries
- Vincristine/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- K Cohen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Partners AIDS Research Center, Harvard Medical School, USA
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70
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Salamon D, Takacs M, Ujvari D, Uhlig J, Wolf H, Minarovits J, Niller HH. Protein-DNA binding and CpG methylation at nucleotide resolution of latency-associated promoters Qp, Cp, and LMP1p of Epstein-Barr virus. J Virol 2001; 75:2584-96. [PMID: 11222681 PMCID: PMC115881 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.6.2584-2596.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) latency-associated promoters Qp, Cp, and LMP1p are crucial for the regulated expression of the EBNA and LMP transcripts in dependence of the latency type. By transient transfection and in vitro binding analyses, many promoter elements and transcription factors have previously been shown to be involved in the activities of these promoters. However, the latency promoters have only partially been examined at the nucleotide level in vivo. Therefore, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of in vivo protein binding and CpG methylation patterns at these promoters in five representative cell lines and correlated the results with the known in vitro binding data and activities of these promoters from previous transfection experiments. Promoter activity inversely correlated with the methylation state of promoters, although Qp was a remarkable exception. Novel protein binding data were obtained for all promoters. For Cp, binding correlated well with promoter activity; for LMP1p and Qp, binding patterns looked similar regardless of promoter activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Salamon
- Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary
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71
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Griswold MD, Kim JS. Site-specific methylation of the promoter alters deoxyribonucleic acid-protein interactions and prevents follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene transcription. Biol Reprod 2001; 64:602-10. [PMID: 11159363 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod64.2.602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In the male gonad, the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene is expressed only in Sertoli cells. To date, the mechanism(s) responsible for Sertoli cell-specific expression of the FSHR gene are unknown. In this study, DNA methylation at specific sites in the promoter are shown to lead to changes in the DNA-protein interactions at those sites and, subsequently, to transcriptional repression of the gene. The extent of methylation of cytosine residues within the core promoter region of genomic DNA isolated from cells/tissues that expressed, or did not express, the FSHR gene was analyzed by the sodium bisulfite conversion technique. All seven cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides within the core promoter region were found to be unmethylated in primary cultured rat Sertoli cells that were actively expressing FSHR mRNA. In contrast, in tissues not expressing FSHR the same region of the gene was methylated at each of the CpG dinucleotides examined. In addition, DNA-protein interactions in three primary regulatory regions of the promoter were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) with synthetic oligonucleotides containing selectively methylated cytosine residues. Methylation of a CpG sequence within a consensus E box element (CACGTG, -124/-119) decreased the binding affinity of USF1/2 transcription factors for this element. Methylation of the CpG sequence in the Inr region (CCGG, -85/-82) allowed the formation of an additional DNA-protein complex. Methylation at both cytosine residues in the E2F element ((m)CG(m)CG) generated a new methylcytosine-specific DNA-protein complex. The core FSHR promoter region of a mouse Sertoli cell line (MSC-1) that does not express FSHR was shown to be methylated at four CpG dinucleotides. The demethylation of these four sites by treatment of the MSC-1 cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azaCdR) activated the transcription of the FSHR gene. Taken together, these results suggest that cytosine methylation is a major factor in the repression of the expression of the FSHR gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, 630 Fulmer Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4660, USA.
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72
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Tierney RJ, Kirby HE, Nagra JK, Desmond J, Bell AI, Rickinson AB. Methylation of transcription factor binding sites in the Epstein-Barr virus latent cycle promoter Wp coincides with promoter down-regulation during virus-induced B-cell transformation. J Virol 2000; 74:10468-79. [PMID: 11044091 PMCID: PMC110921 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.22.10468-10479.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Two Epstein-Barr virus latent cycle promoters for nuclear antigen expression, Wp and Cp, are activated sequentially during virus-induced transformation of B cells to B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in vitro. Previously published restriction enzyme studies have indicated hypomethylation of CpG dinucleotides in the Wp and Cp regions of the viral genome in established LCLs, whereas these same regions appeared to be hypermethylated in Burkitt's lymphoma cells, where Wp and Cp are inactive. Here, using the more sensitive technique of bisulfite genomic sequencing, we reexamined the situation in established LCLs with the typical pattern of dominant Cp usage; surprisingly, this showed substantial methylation in the 400-bp regulatory region upstream of the Wp start site. This was not an artifact of long-term in vitro passage, since, in cultures of recently infected B cells, we found progressive methylation of Wp (but not Cp) regulatory sequences occurring between 7 and 21 days postinfection, coincident with the period in which dominant nuclear antigen promoter usage switches from Wp to Cp. Furthermore, in the equivalent in vivo situation, i.e., in the circulating B cells of acute infectious mononucleosis patients undergoing primary EBV infection, we again frequently observed selective methylation of Wp but not Cp sequences. An effector role for methylation in Wp silencing was supported by methylation cassette assays of Wp reporter constructs and by bandshift assays, where the binding of two sets of transcription factors important for Wp activation in B cells, BSAP/Pax5 and CREB/ATF proteins, was shown to be blocked by methylation of their binding sites.
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MESH Headings
- B-Lymphocytes/virology
- Binding Sites
- Burkitt Lymphoma/virology
- Cell Transformation, Viral
- DNA Methylation
- DNA, Viral/chemistry
- DNA, Viral/metabolism
- Genes, Reporter
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology
- Humans
- Infectious Mononucleosis/blood
- Infectious Mononucleosis/virology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sulfites/chemistry
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Virus Latency
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Tierney
- CRC Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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73
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Robertson KD. The role of DNA methylation in modulating Epstein-Barr virus gene expression. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2000; 249:21-34. [PMID: 10802936 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-59696-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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74
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Kang SH, Choi HH, Kim SG, Jong HS, Kim NK, Kim SJ, Bang YJ. Transcriptional inactivation of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 gene by dna hypermethylation of the 5'-CpG island in human gastric cancer cell lines. Int J Cancer 2000; 86:632-5. [PMID: 10797283 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(20000601)86:5<632::aid-ijc5>3.0.co;2-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3), a recently cloned member of TIMP gene family, has been implicated in the negative regulation of tumor cell invasion and tumor growth. Down-regulation of this gene has been shown to occur in a mouse carcinogenesis model, suggesting that it might play a role in the tumor progression of some cancers. In this study, we used human gastric cancer cell lines to investigate whether TIMP-3 gene expression is suppressed in human gastric cancer. We examined whether aberrant DNA methylation of the 5'-CpG island of the TIMP-3 gene is involved in this cancer. Nine of 10 human gastric cancer cell lines completely lost TIMP-3 gene expression compared with normal samples. Southern blot analysis and bisulfite genomic sequencing revealed aberrant hypermethylation near the transcription-start site of the TIMP-3 gene in all cell lines lacking TIMP-3 expression. Treatment of these cell lines with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored TIMP-3 gene expression. Our results suggest that the TIMP-3 gene is another early target of tumor-associated aberrant DNA methylation in human gastric carcinogenesis. Consequently, genetic silencing of TIMP-3 may lead to a more malignant and invasive phenotype in these cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Kang
- Cancer Research Center, Seoul National University Medical College, Seoul, Korea
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75
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Zhou S, Fujimuro M, Hsieh JJ, Chen L, Hayward SD. A role for SKIP in EBNA2 activation of CBF1-repressed promoters. J Virol 2000; 74:1939-47. [PMID: 10644367 PMCID: PMC111672 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.4.1939-1947.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
EBNA2 is essential for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immortalization of B lymphocytes. EBNA2 functions as a transcriptional activator and targets responsive promoters through interaction with the cellular DNA binding protein CBF1. We have examined the mechanism whereby EBNA2 overcomes CBF1-mediated transcriptional repression. A yeast two-hybrid screen performed using CBF1 as the bait identified a protein, SKIP, which had not previously been recognized as a CBF1-associated protein. Protein-protein interaction assays demonstrated contacts between SKIP and the SMRT, CIR, Sin3A, and HDAC2 proteins of the CBF1 corepressor complex. Interestingly, EBNA2 also interacted with SKIP in glutathione S-transferase affinity and mammalian two-hybrid assays and colocalized with SKIP in immunofluorescence assays. Interaction with SKIP was not affected by mutation of EBNA2 conserved region 6, the CBF1 interaction region, but was abolished by mutation of conserved region 5. Mutation of conserved region 5 also severely impaired EBNA2 activation of a reporter containing CBF1 binding sites. Thus, interaction with both CBF1 and SKIP is necessary for efficient promoter activation by EBNA2. A model is presented in which EBNA2 competes with the SMRT-corepressor complex for contacts on SKIP and CBF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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76
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Paulson EJ, Speck SH. Differential methylation of Epstein-Barr virus latency promoters facilitates viral persistence in healthy seropositive individuals. J Virol 1999; 73:9959-68. [PMID: 10559309 PMCID: PMC113046 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.73.12.9959-9968.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes a life-long infection in humans, with distinct viral latency programs predominating during acute and chronic phases of infection. Only a subset of the EBV latency-associated antigens present during the acute phase of EBV infection are expressed in the latently infected memory B cells that serve as the long-term EBV reservoir. Since the EBV immortalization program elicits a potent cellular immune response, downregulation of viral gene expression in the long-term latency reservoir is likely to facilitate evasion of the immune response and persistence of EBV in the immunocompetent host. Tissue culture and tumor models of restricted EBV latency have consistently demonstrated a critical role for methylation of the viral genome in maintaining the restricted pattern of latency-associated gene expression. Here we extend these observations to demonstrate that the EBV genomes in the memory B-cell reservoir are also heavily and discretely methylated. This analysis reveals that methylation of the viral genome is a normal aspect of EBV infection in healthy immunocompetent individuals and is not restricted to the development of EBV-associated tumors. In addition, the pattern of methylation very likely accounts for the observed inhibition of the EBV immortalization program and the establishment and maintenance of a restricted latency program. Thus, EBV appears to be the first example of a parasite that usurps the host cell-directed methylation system to regulate pathogen gene expression and thereby establish a chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Paulson
- Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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77
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Majumder S, Ghoshal K, Li Z, Bo Y, Jacob ST. Silencing of metallothionein-I gene in mouse lymphosarcoma cells by methylation. Oncogene 1999; 18:6287-95. [PMID: 10597227 PMCID: PMC2237891 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Metallothionein-I (MT-I) gene is silenced by methylation of CpG islands in mouse lymphosarcoma P1798 cells but not in the thymus, the cell type from which the tumor was derived. Bisulfite genomic sequencing revealed that all 21 CpG dinucleotides present within -216 bp to +1 bp with respect to transcription start site are methylated in the tumor cell line, but none is methylated in the thymus. The lymphosarcoma cells induced MT-I in response to heavy metals only after demethylation with 5-azacytidine (5-AsaC). The electrophoretic mobility shift assay using specific oligonucleotide probes showed that the key transcription factors regulating MT-I gene (e.g., MTF-1, Sp 1 and MLTF/USF) are active in P1798 cells. In vivo footprinting of the proximal promoter region showed that none of the metal regulatory elements (MREs) or MLTF/USF are occupied in response to heavy metals. Demethylation of the lymphosarcoma cells with 5-AzaC resulted in constitutive footprinting at MLTF/ARE, and zinc-inducible footprinting at MRE-c, MRE-d and MRE-e sites. Demethylation of just 10-20% of the CpG islands was sufficient to render the gene inducible by cadmium or zinc. The MT-I induction persisted in the cancer cells for several generations even after withdrawal of 5-AzaC from the culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Majumder
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA
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78
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Abstract
EBV is a ubiquitous herpesvirus associated with a variety of lymphoid and epithelial tumors. In healthy lymphocytes and in tumors immune surveillance is evaded by suppression of a family of immunodominant viral antigens. Methylation of a viral promoter plays a crucial role in this suppression. Methylation of the viral genome in the latent state over evolutionary time is believed to account for CpG suppression that distinguishes this virus from most other large DNA viruses. Pharmacologic manipulation of methylation may offer an opportunity to unmask viral antigens and expose tumors to immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Ambinder
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 418 N. Bond St., Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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79
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Tsai CN, Lee CM, Chien CK, Kuo SC, Chang YS. Additive effect of Sp1 and Sp3 in regulation of the ED-L1E promoter of the EBV LMP 1 gene in human epithelial cells. Virology 1999; 261:288-94. [PMID: 10497114 DOI: 10.1006/viro.1999.9851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ED-L1E promoter of the LMP 1 gene is a GC box-containing promoter. To test if Sp1/Sp3 are important for modulating ED-L1E promoter activity through the GC box, site-specific mutation and deletion constructs carrying a reporter gene were transfected into NPCTW076 and C33A cells. Results showed that deletion or mutation of the GC box abolished ED-L1E activity. Association of Sp1/Sp3 with the GC box was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays using Sp1- and Sp3-specific antibodies. Transfection of Sp1- and Sp3-expressing vectors into NPCTW076 and Sp-deficient Drosophila SL2 cells activated ED-L1E in a dose-dependent fashion and showed an additive effect. Data suggest that both factors may function as transcriptional activators and regulate the ED-L1E promoter in human epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Tsai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang-Gung University School of Medicine, Kwei-shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
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80
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Tao Q, Swinnen LJ, Yang J, Srivastava G, Robertson KD, Ambinder RF. Methylation status of the Epstein-Barr virus major latent promoter C in iatrogenic B cell lymphoproliferative disease. Application of PCR-based analysis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 1999; 155:619-25. [PMID: 10433954 PMCID: PMC1866850 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)65157-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) major latent promoter C drives the expression of viral nuclear proteins important in lymphocyte immortalization and as targets for immune surveillance by cytotoxic T cells. Hypermethylation of the C promoter silences its transcription. This promoter is methylated and silent in Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and nasal lymphoma. However, it is never methylated in the EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines that serve as a model for EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease. We have analyzed C promoter methylation in iatrogenic EBV-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disease, mainly posttransplant lymphoma, using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction-based C promoter methylation assay. Our results showed heterogeneity in lymphoproliferative disease with methylation of viral DNA in specimens from 3 of 13 patients. In specimens from two of these patients, only methylated viral DNA was detected and viral nuclear antigen expression was correspondingly restricted. Heterogeneity in C promoter methylation and expression of associated transcripts may be an important determinant of the growth properties of lymphoproliferative lesions and may provide an explanation for the failure of some tumors to respond to withdrawal or reduction of immunosuppressive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Tao
- Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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81
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Robertson KD, Jones PA. Tissue-specific alternative splicing in the human INK4a/ARF cell cycle regulatory locus. Oncogene 1999; 18:3810-20. [PMID: 10445844 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1202737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The INK4a/ARF locus on human chromosome 9p resides at the nexus of two critical cell cycle regulatory pathways, the p53 pathway and the retinoblastoma (pRb) gene pathway. Through the use of shared coding regions and alternative reading frames two distinct proteins are produced: INK4a is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor whereas ARF binds the MDM2 proto-oncogene and stabilizes p53. We have examined the expression patterns of the INK4a/ARF locus at the RNA level in normal human and murine tissues to determine if these genes are coordinately regulated. We found that both INK4a and ARF were expressed in most tissues at low levels detectable only by RT-PCR. The pancreas was an exception in that it expressed no detectable ARF mRNA but expressed high levels of INK4a mRNA. Furthermore, human pancreas expressed an additional previously unrecognized splice variant of INK4a, termed p12, through the use of an alternative splice donor site within intron 1. The p12 transcript produced a 12 kD protein composed of INK4a exon 1alpha and a novel intron-derived C-terminus. This novel protein did not interact with cdk4 but was capable of suppressing growth in a pRb-independent manner. The implications of the capacity of the INK4a/ARF locus to encode a third transcript, and for pancreatic cancer, in which the INK4a/ARF locus is nearly always altered, are considered.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/chemistry
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/immunology
- Cell Line
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9/genetics
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Genes, Retinoblastoma
- Genes, p16
- Genes, p53
- Humans
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Organ Specificity
- Pancreas/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- RNA Splicing
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Reading Frames/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Deletion
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- K D Robertson
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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82
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Fujiwara S, Nitadori Y, Nakamura H, Nagaishi T, Ono Y. Epstein-barr virus (EBV) nuclear protein 2-induced disruption of EBV latency in the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Akata: analysis by tetracycline-regulated expression. J Virol 1999; 73:5214-9. [PMID: 10233991 PMCID: PMC112573 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.73.6.5214-5219.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell line Akata retains the latency I program of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gene expression and cross-linking of its surface immunoglobulin G (IgG) by antibodies results in activation of viral replication. When EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) was artificially expressed by a constitutive expression vector, the Cp EBNA promoter remained inactive and accordingly the latency III program was not induced. In contrast, expression of LMP2A and activity of the Fp lytic promoter were activated. Consistent with this Fp activity, the rate of spontaneous activation of the EBV replicative cycle was increased significantly, suggesting the possibility that EBNA2 can induce EBV replication. The efficiency of anti-IgG-induced activation of the viral replication was reduced in Akata cells expressing EBNA2. To obtain more direct evidence for EBNA2-induced activation of the EBV replicative cycle, this protein was next expressed by a tetracycline-regulated expression system. EBNA2 was undetectable with low doses (<0.5 microgram/ml) of tetracycline, while its expression was rapidly induced after removal of the antibiotic. This induced expression of EBNA2 was immediately followed by expression of EBV replicative cycle proteins in up to 50% of the cells, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis. These results suggest an unexpected potential of EBNA2 to disrupt EBV latency and to activate viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fujiwara
- Department of Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Oyaguchikami-machi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
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83
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Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a B-lymphotropic herpesvirus widespread in human populations, is carried by most individuals as an asymptomatic lifelong infection. Much progress has been made in our understanding of virus infection/persistence, and in the role of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in control of that infection. This same virus is linked to several malignancies, including endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and to many cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD). Recent evidence showing that HD, like the other EBV-associated lymphomas, is of B-cell origin suggests that the pathogenesis of these malignancies may share more common ground than previously thought. The biology and cytotoxic T-cell control of primary and persistent EBV infection, and the links between EBV and all three lymphomas are reviewed. The expression of viral antigens in EBV-positive HD raises the possibility of developing tumour immunotherapy, using relevant components of the EBV-specific T-cell response; progress to date, and future prospects for immune control of EBV-positive HD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Chapman
- CRC Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, UK
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84
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Fuentes-Pananá EM, Swaminathan S, Ling PD. Transcriptional activation signals found in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency C promoter are conserved in the latency C promoter sequences from baboon and Rhesus monkey EBV-like lymphocryptoviruses (cercopithicine herpesviruses 12 and 15). J Virol 1999; 73:826-33. [PMID: 9847397 PMCID: PMC103898 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.73.1.826-833.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA2 protein is a transcriptional activator that controls viral latent gene expression and is essential for EBV-driven B-cell immortalization. EBNA2 is expressed from the viral C promoter (Cp) and regulates its own expression by activating Cp through interaction with the cellular DNA binding protein CBF1. Through regulation of Cp and EBNA2 expression, EBV controls the pattern of latent protein expression and the type of latency established. To gain further insight into the important regulatory elements that modulate Cp usage, we isolated and sequenced the Cp regions corresponding to nucleotides 10251 to 11479 of the EBV genome (-1079 to +144 relative to the transcription initiation site) from the EBV-like lymphocryptoviruses found in baboons (herpesvirus papio; HVP) and Rhesus macaques (RhEBV). Sequence comparison of the approximately 1,230-bp Cp regions from these primate viruses revealed that EBV and HVP Cp sequences are 64% conserved, EBV and RhEBV Cp sequences are 66% conserved, and HVP and RhEBV Cp sequences are 65% conserved relative to each other. Approximately 50% of the residues are conserved among all three sequences, yet all three viruses have retained response elements for glucocorticoids, two positionally conserved CCAAT boxes, and positionally conserved TATA boxes. The putative EBNA2 100-bp enhancers within these promoters contain 54 conserved residues, and the binding sites for CBF1 and CBF2 are well conserved. Cp usage in the HVP- and RhEBV-transformed cell lines was detected by S1 nuclease protection analysis. Transient-transfection analysis showed that promoters of both HVP and RhEBV are responsive to EBNA2 and that they bind CBF1 and CBF2 in gel mobility shift assays. These results suggest that similar mechanisms for regulation of latent gene expression are conserved among the EBV-related lymphocryptoviruses found in nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Fuentes-Pananá
- Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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85
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Abstract
The methylation of CpG islands is often equated with transcriptional inactivity and there is overwhelming evidence that this is the case for islands located in gene promoters. Such methylation is probably part of a mechanism to permanently silence the activities of genes, including those on the inactive X chromosome. Not all CpG islands and methylation sites are located in known promoters; several tissue-specific and imprinted genes have CpG islands located at considerable distances downstream of transcription initiation sites, and many genes have multiple promoters. Methylation of CpG islands downstream of transcription initiation does not block elongation in mammalian cells. This has given rise to an interesting paradox in which methylation in the transcribed region is often correlated with expression, in contrast to the inverse correlation seen at the site of transcriptional initiation. The methylation paradox might be resolved if it is hypothesized that transcription through a CpG island facilitates de novo methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern, California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, Los Angeles 90033-0800, USA.
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86
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Gabriel JM, Higgins MJ, Gebuhr TC, Shows TB, Saitoh S, Nicholls RD. A model system to study genomic imprinting of human genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998; 95:14857-62. [PMID: 9843980 PMCID: PMC24540 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.25.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/1997] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic-cell hybrids have been shown to maintain the correct epigenetic chromatin states to study developmental globin gene expression as well as gene expression on the active and inactive X chromosomes. This suggests the potential use of somatic-cell hybrids containing either a maternal or a paternal human chromosome as a model system to study known imprinted genes and to identify as-yet-unknown imprinted genes. Testing gene expression by using reverse transcription followed by PCR, we show that functional imprints are maintained at four previously characterized 15q11-q13 loci in hybrids containing a single human chromosome 15 and at two chromosome 11p15 loci in hybrids containing a single chromosome 11. In contrast, three gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit genes in 15q12-q13 are nonimprinted. Furthermore, we have found that differential DNA methylation imprints at the SNRPN promoter and at a CpG island in 11p15 are also maintained in somatic-cell hybrids. Somatic-cell hybrids therefore are a valid and powerful system for studying known imprinted genes as well as for rapidly identifying new imprinted genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Gabriel
- Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
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87
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Bell A, Skinner J, Kirby H, Rickinson A. Characterisation of regulatory sequences at the Epstein-Barr virus BamHI W promoter. Virology 1998; 252:149-61. [PMID: 9875325 DOI: 10.1006/viro.1998.9440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus, a human gammaherpesvirus, possesses a unique set of latent genes whose constitutive expression in B cells leads to cell growth transformation. The initiation of this growth transforming infection depends on a viral promoter in BamHI W (Wp) whose regulation is poorly understood. Using Wp reporter constructs in in vitro transfection assays, we found that Wp was 11- to 190-fold more active in B cell than in non-B cell lines and that three regions of the promoter (termed UAS1, UAS2, and UAS3) contributed to transcriptional activation. The upstream regions UAS3 (-1168 to -440) and UAS2 (-352 to -264) both functioned in a cell lineage-independent manner and were together responsible for the bulk of Wp activity in non-B cells; mutational analysis indicated the importance of a YY1 binding site in UAS2 in that context. By contrast, UAS1 (-140 to -87) was B cell specific and was the key determinant of the promoter's increased activity in B cell lines. Mutational analysis of UAS1 sequences combined with in vitro bandshift assays revealed the presence of three binding sites for cellular factors in this region. When mutations that abolished factor binding in bandshift assays were introduced into a Wp reporter construct, the loss of any one of the three UAS1 binding sites was sufficient to reduce promoter activity by 10- to 30-fold in B cells. From sequence analysis, two of these appear to be novel transcription factor binding sites, whereas the third was identified as a cyclic AMP response element (CRE). Our data indicate that this CRE interacts with CREB and ATF1 proteins present in B cell nuclear extracts and that this interaction is important for Wp activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bell
- CRC Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.
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88
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Robertson KD, Jones PA. The human ARF cell cycle regulatory gene promoter is a CpG island which can be silenced by DNA methylation and down-regulated by wild-type p53. Mol Cell Biol 1998; 18:6457-73. [PMID: 9774662 PMCID: PMC109232 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.18.11.6457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/1998] [Accepted: 08/06/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The INK4a/ARF locus encodes two proteins involved in tumor suppression in a manner virtually unique in mammalian cells. Distinct first exons, driven from separate promoters, splice onto a common exon 2 and 3 but utilize different reading frames to produce two completely distinct proteins, both of which play roles in cell cycle control. INK4a, a critical element of the retinoblastoma gene pathway, binds to and inhibits the activities of CDK4 and CDK6, while ARF, a critical element of the p53 pathway, increases the level of functional p53 via interaction with MDM2. Here we clone and characterize the promoter of the human ARF gene and show that it is a CpG island characteristic of a housekeeping gene which contains numerous Sp1 sites. Both ARF and INK4a are coordinately expressed in cells except when their promoter regions become de novo methylated. In one of these situations, ARF transcription could be reactivated by treatment with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, and the reactivation kinetics of ARF and INK4a were found to differ slightly in a cell line in which both genes were silenced by methylation. The ARF promoter was also found to be highly responsive to E2F1 expression, in keeping with previous results at the RNA level. Lastly, transcription from the ARF promoter was down-regulated by wild-type p53 expression, and the magnitude of the effect correlated with the status of the endogenous p53 gene. This finding points to the existence of an autoregulatory feedback loop between p53, MDM2, and ARF, aimed at keeping p53 levels in check.
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Affiliation(s)
- K D Robertson
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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89
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Tao Q, Robertson KD, Manns A, Hildesheim A, Ambinder RF. The Epstein-Barr virus major latent promoter Qp is constitutively active, hypomethylated, and methylation sensitive. J Virol 1998; 72:7075-83. [PMID: 9696800 PMCID: PMC109928 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.72.9.7075-7083.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) is indispensable for viral DNA replication and episome maintenance in latency. Four promoters, Cp, Wp, Qp, and Fp, are known to drive EBNA1 expression. Here we show that the TATA-less Qp is constitutively active in a variety of EBV-positive [EBV(+)] tumors and cell lines, irrespective of the activities of other EBNA1 promoters, the type of viral latency, and the cell type. The transcription of highly regulated promoters such as the EBV Cp is known to be directly regulated by CpG methylation. To characterize the role of CpG methylation in the regulation of the constitutively active Qp, we performed bisulfite genomic sequencing and functional analyses using a methylation cassette transcriptional reporter assay. Twenty consecutive CpG sites (16 proximal to the Qp initiation site and 4 upstream of the adjacent Fp initiation site) were studied by bisulfite sequencing of DNA extracted from EBV(+) tumors and cell lines. Eighteen EBV(+) tumors of lymphoid (B, T, and NK cell) or epithelial origin and five Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines were studied. The 16 CpG sites proximal to Qp were virtually all unmethylated, but the 4 CpG sites upstream of the Fp initiation site were variably methylated. The methylation cassette assay showed that in vitro methylation of the Qp cassette (-172 to +32) resulted in strong repression of Qp activity in transient transfection. Thus, Qp is susceptible to repression by methylation but was found to be consistently hypomethylated and expressed in all tumors and tumor-derived cell lines studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Tao
- Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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90
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Falk KI, Szekely L, Aleman A, Ernberg I. Specific methylation patterns in two control regions of Epstein-Barr virus latency: the LMP-1-coding upstream regulatory region and an origin of DNA replication (oriP). J Virol 1998; 72:2969-74. [PMID: 9525618 PMCID: PMC109743 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.72.4.2969-2974.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can establish at least four different forms of latent infection. Previously, we have shown that the level of methylation of the EBV genome varies, depending on the form of latency. The methylation status of CpGs was analyzed by the bisulfite genomic sequencing technique in four different cell types representing different forms of latency. The dyad symmetry element of the origin of replication (oriP) region and the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) regulatory sequence (LRS) were studied. The dyad symmetry element has four binding sites for EBNA-1. In a cell with type I latency, a region upstream of the dyad symmetry element was highly methylated, whereas the dyad symmetry element was unmethylated in the EBNA-1-binding region. The LRS was extensively methylated in the LMP-1-negative cell line Rael, in contrast to a LMP-1-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor (NPC C15), which was almost completely unmethylated. The methylation pattern of LRS in type I and type III Burkitt lymphoma cells of similar parental origins confirmed that demethylation of some regions takes place upon phenotypic drift.
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Affiliation(s)
- K I Falk
- Microbiology and Tumorbiology Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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91
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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in Endemic Burkitt's Lymphoma: Molecular Analysis of Primary Tumor Tissue. Blood 1998. [DOI: 10.1182/blood.v91.4.1373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMany aspects of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and tumor biology have been studied in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL)-derived cell lines. However, in tissue culture, patterns of gene expression and C promoter-G (CpG) methylation often change and viral strain selection may occur. In this report, 10 cases of snap-frozen endemic BL tumors are characterized in terms of viral gene expression, promoter usage, methylation, and viral strain. EBNA1 and BamHI-A rightward transcripts (BART) were detected in 7 of 7 and LMP2A transcripts in 5 of 7 tumors with well-preserved RNA. Transcripts for the other EBNAs and for LMP1 were not detected in any tumor. These tumors differ from BL cell lines in that they lack a variety of lytic cycle transcripts. This pattern of viral gene expression in endemic BL is similar to that reported in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy EBV–seropositive individuals. EBNA1 transcripts originated from the Q promoter (Qp) but not C, W, or F promoters that drive transcription of EBNA1 in other circumstances. Whereas Cp has been previously shown to be entirely CpG methylated in BL, bisulfite genomic sequencing showed virtually no methylation in Qp. Type-A EBV was detected in 6 of 10 and type B in 4 of 10 cases. A previously reported 30bp deletion variant in the carboxyl terminal of LMP1 gene was detected in 5 of 10 cases. The association with both A and B strains contrasts with EBV–associated Hodgkin's disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, which are much more consistently associated with A strain virus.
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92
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Fuentes-Pananá EM, Ling PD. Characterization of the CBF2 binding site within the Epstein-Barr virus latency C promoter and its role in modulating EBNA2-mediated transactivation. J Virol 1998; 72:693-700. [PMID: 9420275 PMCID: PMC109424 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.72.1.693-700.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA2 protein is a transcriptional activator that regulates viral and cellular gene expression and is also essential for EBV-driven immortalization of B lymphocytes. The EBNA2-responsive enhancer in the viral latency C promoter (Cp) binds two cellular factors, CBF1 and CBF2. The precise role of the CBF2 protein for Cp enhancer function is presently unclear. CBF2 does not appear to interact with EBNA2 and binds just downstream of CBF1 between positions -339 and -368 in the Cp EBNA2 enhancer. Within this region an 8-bp sequence, CAGTGCGT, can be found, and a similar sequence is also located downstream of CBF1 binding sites in other EBNA2-responsive promoters. Previous studies have indicated that mutations and methylation in this sequence affect EBNA2 responsiveness. To investigate the requirements for CBF2 binding, we synthesized a series of oligonucleotides carrying double transversion mutations spanning both the conserved core sequence and outside flanking sequences. Surprisingly, mutations outside of the conserved core sequence in 4 bases immediately flanking the 5' end, GGTT, had the most deleterious effect on CBF2 binding. Mutations in the conserved core had a gradient effect, with those near the 5' end having the most deleterious effects on CBF2 binding. In addition, the affinities of CBF2 for binding to the LMP-1, LMP-2, and CD23 promoters were also measured. These promoters contain the conserved core but lack the 5' flanking GGTT motif and bound CBF2 weakly or not at all. Using Cp reporter plasmids containing CBF2 mutant binding sites, we were also able to show that at lower doses of EBNA2, Cp transactivation required a functional CBF2 binding site but that higher doses of EBNA2 transactivated CBF2 mutant promoters to 40% of wild-type levels. These assays indicate that CBF2 is important for EBNA2-mediated transactivation of the viral latency Cp. In addition, CBF2 activity was found to be associated with two polypeptides of 27 and 33 kDa.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Fuentes-Pananá
- Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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93
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94
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Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection in B cells persists over years or decades despite a sustained cytotoxic immune response to viral antigens. We present data that methylated EBV DNA can be detected in the normal lymphocytes of healthy volunteers. Whereas methylation of foreign DNA has been recognized as a potential cellular defense mechanism, methylation of EBV DNA may be an essential part of the virus life cycle in vivo, explaining the persistence of virus-infected B cells in the face of immune surveillance. Methylation of the C promoter helps to prevent expression of the immunodominant antigens expressed from this promoter. First recognized in tumors, methylation-associated evasion of immune surveillance is not an aberration restricted to tumor tissue but is detected in normal EBV-infected lymphocytes. Methylation of the viral genome in latency also provides an explanation for the CpG suppression associated with EBV but not other large DNA viruses.
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95
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Abstract
AbstractEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection in B cells persists over years or decades despite a sustained cytotoxic immune response to viral antigens. We present data that methylated EBV DNA can be detected in the normal lymphocytes of healthy volunteers. Whereas methylation of foreign DNA has been recognized as a potential cellular defense mechanism, methylation of EBV DNA may be an essential part of the virus life cycle in vivo, explaining the persistence of virus-infected B cells in the face of immune surveillance. Methylation of the C promoter helps to prevent expression of the immunodominant antigens expressed from this promoter. First recognized in tumors, methylation-associated evasion of immune surveillance is not an aberration restricted to tumor tissue but is detected in normal EBV-infected lymphocytes. Methylation of the viral genome in latency also provides an explanation for the CpG suppression associated with EBV but not other large DNA viruses.
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96
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Abstract
Human B lymphocytes infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) express 11 viral genes, of which six are essential for efficient transformation. The protein products of these genes appear to cause cell growth by modifying cell signal transduction pathways. For example, EBNA-2 mimics the Notch 1 pathway and LMP-1 interacts with the signalling from CD40/CD40-L, which promotes growth in normal B cells. In the human cancers linked to EBV, most of the viral transforming genes are not expressed. It is likely that growth of these cells is controlled by a combination of the EBV genes whose expression continues with altered cell proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, but other explanations of the role of EBV in cancer cells are also possible. The presence of the virus in the tumour cells of EBV-associated cancers constitutes a potentially useful tumour specific marker that might be used to direct therapy to the tumour cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Farrell
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London, UK
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97
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Robertson KD, Ambinder RF. Mapping promoter regions that are hypersensitive to methylation-mediated inhibition of transcription: application of the methylation cassette assay to the Epstein-Barr virus major latency promoter. J Virol 1997; 71:6445-54. [PMID: 9261362 PMCID: PMC191918 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.71.9.6445-6454.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation-associated transcriptional repression is recognized in many settings and may play a role in normal differentiation and in tumorigenesis. Both sequence-specific and nonspecific mechanisms have been elaborated. Recently, we have presented evidence that methylation-associated inhibition of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) major latency promoter (BamHI C promoter or Cp) in Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these tumors by protecting them from CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell immunosurveillance. The mechanism of transcriptional repression may relate to specific inhibition of the binding of a cellular transcription factor by methylation. To dissect the viral promoter with regard to transcriptional sensitivity to methylation, we have devised an assay that allows the methylation of discrete regions of reporter plasmids. During the course of the assay, methylation patterns appeared to be stable; there was no evidence of either spread or reversal of the imposed methylation pattern. Application of the assay to the 3.8-kb region upstream of the major EBV latency promoter with natural Cp reporter plasmids showed that sensitivity to methylation is not homogeneously distributed but is concentrated in two discrete regions. The first of these methylation-hypersensitive regions (MHRI) is the previously identified EBNA-2 response element, which includes the methylation-sensitive CBF2 binding site. The second (MHRII) is a sequence further downstream whose potential role in methylation-mediated transcriptional repression had been previously unsuspected. In chimeric enhancer/promoter plasmids, methylation of this downstream region was sufficient to virtually abolish simian virus 40 enhancer-driven transcription. Further dissection indicated that methylation of the EBNA-2 response element (MHRI) was sufficient to abolish EBNA-2-mediated Cp activity while methylation of a region including the EBNA-2 response element and downstream sequence (MHRI and MHRII) was sufficient to abolish all Cp-mediated reporter activity, including that driven by the EBNA-1-dependent enhancer in the origin of plasmid replication, oriP.
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Affiliation(s)
- K D Robertson
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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98
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Nonkwelo C, Ruf IK, Sample J. Interferon-independent and -induced regulation of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-1 gene transcription in Burkitt lymphoma. J Virol 1997; 71:6887-97. [PMID: 9261415 PMCID: PMC191971 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.71.9.6887-6897.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome within latently infected cells is dependent on the EBV EBNA-1 protein. The objective of this study was to identify transcriptional regulatory proteins that mediate EBNA-1 expression via the viral promoter Qp, which is active in EBV-associated tumors such as Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results of a yeast one-hybrid screen suggested that a subset of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family may regulate EBNA-1 transcription by targeting an essential cis-regulatory element of Qp, QRE-2. Further investigation indicated that the transcriptional activator IRF-1 and the closely related IRF-2, a repressor of interferon-induced gene expression, are both capable of activating Qp. However, the major QRE-2-specific binding activity detected within extracts of Burkitt lymphoma cells was attributed to IRF-2, suggesting that interferon-independent activation of Qp is largely mediated by IRF-2 in these cells. We observed no effect of gamma interferon on Qp activity in transfection assays, whereas we observed a moderate but significant repression of Qp activity in response to alpha interferon, possibly mediated by either the interferon consensus sequence binding protein or IRF-7, a novel alpha interferon-inducible factor identified in this study. Since expression of IRF-1 and IRF-2 is increased in response to interferons, the Qp activity observed in the presence of interferon likely represented an equilibrium between IRF factors that activate and those that repress gene expression in response to interferon. Thus, by usurping both IRF-1 and its transcriptional antagonist IRF-2 to activate Qp, EBV has evolved not only a mechanism to constitutively express EBNA-1 but also one which may sustain EBNA-1 expression in the face of the antiviral effects of interferon.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nonkwelo
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
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Schmitz A, Short M, Ammerpohl O, Asbrand C, Nickel J, Renkawitz R. Cis-elements required for the demethylation of the mouse M-lysozyme downstream enhancer. J Biol Chem 1997; 272:20850-6. [PMID: 9252411 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.33.20850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse lysozyme downstream enhancer was previously colocalized with the DNase I-hypersensitive site in the chromatin of mature macrophages. This hypersensitive site was shown to be macrophage differentiation-dependent. Demethylation of CpG sequences within the enhancer is correlated with lysozyme expression in mature macrophages. Binding of the GABP heterotetrameric transcription factor to the enhancer core element (MLDE), only seen in vivo on the demethylated MLDE element in macrophages, is inhibited by DNA methylation. Here, we analyzed the DNA sequences required for demethylation. In electrophoretic mobility shift experiments we found that in addition to the complete methylated MLDE the hemimethylated form of the lower strand inhibits GABP binding as well. Therefore, GABP is unlikely to be the mediator of demethylation. In addition, we show by stable DNA transfections of methylated mouse lysozyme enhancer sequences that MLDE-flanking sequences are required for demethylation. We narrowed down these DNA elements to two short regions of 163 and 79 base pairs on either side of the MLDE, each of which is sufficient to mediate demethylation of the GABP site.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Schmitz
- Genetisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58-62, D35392 Giessen, Germany
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Abstract
Tumorigenesis begins with the disregulated growth of an abnormal cell that has acquired the ability to divide more rapidly than its normal counterparts (Nowell, P.C. (1976) Science, 194, 23-28 [1]). Alterations in global levels and regional changes in the patterns of DNA methylation are among the earliest and most frequent events known to occur in human cancers (Feinberg and Vogelstein (1983) Nature, 301, 89-92 ([2]); Gama-Sosa, M.A. et al. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res., 11, 6883-6894 ([3]); Jones, P.A. (1986) Cancer Res., 46, 461-466 [4]). These changes in methylation may impair the proper expression and/or function of cell-cycle regulatory genes and thus confer a selective growth advantage to affected cells. Developments in the field of cancer research over the past few years have led to an increased understanding of the role DNA methylation may play in tumorigenesis. Many of these studies have investigated two major mechanisms by which DNA methylation may lead to aberrant cell cycle control: (1) through the generation of transition mutations via deamination-driven events resulting in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, or (2) by altering levels of gene expression through epigenetic effects at CpG islands. The mechanisms by which the normal function of growth regulatory genes may become affected by the mutagenic and epigenetic properties of DNA methylation will be discussed in the framework of recent discoveries in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Gonzalgo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA
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