Viral transactivating proteins

BRCA1 interaction with RNA polymerase II reveals a role for hRPB2 and hRPB10 in activated transcription

The functions of most of the 12 subunits of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) enzyme are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that two of the subunits, hRPB2 and hRPB10alpha, mediate the regulated stimulation of transcription. We find that the transcriptional coactivator BRCA1 interacts directly with the core Pol II complex in vitro. We tested whether single subunits from Pol II would compete with the intact Pol II complex to inhibit transcription stimulated by BRCA1. Excess purified Pol II subunits hRPB2 or hRPB10alpha blocked BRCA1- and VP16-dependent transcriptional activation in vitro with minimal effect on basal transcription. No other Pol II subunits tested inhibited activated transcription in these assays. Furthermore, hRPB10alpha, but not hRPB2, blocked Sp1-dependent activation.

E1A stimulates FGF-2 release promoting differentiation of primary endothelial cells

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF-2) is a growth and survival factor and represents one of the most potent differentiation agents of vascular system. In the present study we describe that adenoviral oncoprotein E1A regulates FGF-2 production and determines the acquisition of a pro-angiogenic phenotype in primary bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Following their transfection, wild type E1A proteins 12S and 13S (wtE1A) stimulated BAEC to differentiate on reconstituted basement membrane matrix (Matrigel). This outcome was paralleled by invasion and migration enhancement in wtE1A-transfected cells. This stimulating effect was absent with the E1A mutant dl646N. Accordingly, zymography and RT - PCR analyses showed that matrix metalloproteinase-9 protein- and mRNA-levels increased following wtE1A transfection. Interestingly, wtE1A-transfected BAEC showed FGF-2 mRNA- and protein-levels higher than controls. Further, FGF-2 neutralization reduced the amount of MMP-9 released in the supernatant of E1A-transfected cells and strongly inhibited BAEC differentiation, thus suggesting that wtE1A activates BAEC by a mechanism, at least partially, dependent on a FGF-2 autocrine/paracrine loop.

A mutant oncolytic adenovirus targeting the Rb pathway produces anti-glioma effect in vivo

Effective anti cancer strategies necessitate the use of agents that target tumor cells rather than normal tissues. In this study, we constructed a tumor-selective adenovirus, Delta24, that carries a 24-bp deletion in the E1A region responsible for binding Rb protein. Immunoprecipitation analyses verified that this deletion rendered Delta24 unable to bind the Rb protein. However, titration experiments in 293 cells demonstrated that the Delta24 adenovirus could replicate in and lyse cancer cells with great efficiency. Lysis of most human glioma cells was observed within 10 - 14 days after infection with Delta24 at 10 PFU/cell. In vivo, a single dose of the Delta24 virus induced a 66.3% inhibition (P<0.005) and multiple injections, an 83.8% inhibition (P<0.01) of tumor growth in nude mice. However, normal fibroblasts or cancer cells with restored Rb activity were resistant to the Delta24 adenovirus. These results suggest that the E1A-mutant Delta24 adenovirus may be clinically and therapeutically useful against gliomas and possibly other cancers with disrupted Rb pathway.

Adenovirus technology for gene manipulation and functional studies

Recombinant adenoviral vectors are highly efficient at gene transfer in a broad spectrum of cell types and species, and have been used, both in vitro and in vivo, to achieve gain or loss of function in functional studies. In recent years, there have been several significant advances in adenovirus technologies, including new generations of vectors, improved production systems and sophisticated methods of delivery. In this review, recent progress and innovative applications are discussed to demonstrate the potential of the recombinant adenoviral vector as an effective tool in functional genomics.

Requirement of an E1A-sensitive coactivator for long-range transactivation by the beta-globin locus control region

Four erythroid-specific DNase I-hypersensitive sites at the 5'-end of the beta-globin locus confer high-level transcription to the beta-globin genes. To identify coactivators that mediate long-range transactivation by this locus control region (LCR), we assessed the influence of E1A, an inhibitor of the CBP/p300 histone acetylase, on LCR function. E1A strongly inhibited transactivation of Agamma- and beta-globin promoters by the HS2, HS2-HS3, and HS1-HS4 subregions of the LCR in human K562 and mouse erythroleukemia cells. Short- and long-range transactivation mediated by the LCR were equally sensitive to E1A. The E1A sensitivity was apparent in transient and stable transfection assays, and E1A inhibited expression of the endogenous gamma-globin genes. Only sites for NF-E2 within HS2 were required for E1A sensitivity in K562 cells, and E1A abolished transactivation mediated by the activation domain of NF-E2. E1A mutants defective in CBP/p300 binding only weakly inhibited HS2-mediated transactivation, whereas a mutant defective in retinoblastoma protein binding strongly inhibited transactivation. Expression of CBP/p300 potentiated HS2-mediated transactivation. Moreover, expression of GAL4-CBP strongly increased transactivation of a reporter containing HS2 with a GAL4 site substituted for the NF-E2 sites. Thus, we propose that a CBP/p300-containing coactivator complex is the E1A-sensitive factor important for LCR function.

Virus-associated lymphomas

Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8, and human T-cell lymphotrophic virus are viruses that are implicated in lymphoid neoplasia in humans. Their association with specific subsets of lymphomas suggests that they play an important, although not sufficient, etiologic role in their development. Current knowledge suggests that these viruses contribute to lymphomagenesis by subverting the host-cell molecular machinery to deregulate cell growth and survival. In this article, the basic information and recent developments that have contributed to our understanding of viral lymphomagenesis are reviewed.

Transcriptional activation by the human herpesvirus-8-encoded interferon regulatory factor

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), a gammaherpesvirus that is thought to be the viral aetiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma, encodes a homologue to cellular interferon regulatory factors (IRFs). The HHV-8 IRF homologue (vIRF; ORF K9) has previously been shown to inhibit gene induction by interferons and IRF-1 and to transform NIH3T3 cells or Rat-1 cells. Additionally, expression of antisense to vIRF in BCBL-1 cells results in the repression of certain HHV-8 genes, suggesting that vIRF may also positively regulate gene expression. We demonstrate that vIRF activates transcription when directed to DNA by the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. GAL-vIRF truncation constructs that individually are incapable of activating transcription can cooperate in transactivation when coexpressed in HeLa cells, suggesting that multiple regions of vIRF are involved in transactivation. These studies broaden the potential mechanisms of action of vIRF to include transcriptional activation as well as transcriptional repression.

ICP22 and the UL13 protein kinase are both required for herpes simplex virus-induced modification of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection alters the phosphorylation of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II), resulting in the depletion of the hypophosphorylated and hyperphosphorylated forms of this polypeptide (known as IIa and IIo, respectively) and induction of a novel, alternatively phosphorylated form (designated IIi). We previously showed that the HSV-1 immediate-early protein ICP22 is involved in this phenomenon, since induction of IIi and depletion of IIa are deficient in cells infected with 22/n199, an HSV-1 ICP22 nonsense mutant (S. A. Rice, M. C. Long, V. Lam, P. A. Schaffer, and C. A. Spencer, J. Virol. 69:5550-5559, 1995). However, depletion of IIo still occurs in 22/n199-infected cells. This suggests either that another viral gene product affects the RNAP II large subunit or that the truncated ICP22 polypeptide encoded by 22/n199 retains residual activity which leads to IIo depletion. To distinguish between these possibilities, we engineered an HSV-1 ICP22 null mutant, d22-lacZ, and compared it to 22/n199. The two mutants are indistinguishable in their effects on the RNAP II large subunit, suggesting that an additional viral gene product is involved in altering RNAP II. Two candidates are UL13, a protein kinase which has been implicated in ICP22 phosphorylation, and the virion host shutoff (Vhs) factor, the expression of which is positively regulated by ICP22 and UL13. To test whether UL13 is involved, a UL13-deficient viral mutant, d13-lacZ, was engineered. This mutant was defective in IIi induction and IIa depletion, displaying a phenotype very similar to that of d22-lacZ. In contrast, a Vhs mutant had effects that were indistinguishable from wild-type HSV-1. Therefore, UL13 but not the Vhs function plays a role in modifying the RNAP II large subunit. To study the potential role of UL13 in viral transcription, we carried out nuclear run-on transcription analyses in infected human embryonic lung cells. Infections with either UL13 or ICP22 mutants led to significantly reduced amounts of viral genome transcription at late times after infection. Together, our results suggest that ICP22 and UL13 are involved in a common pathway that alters RNAP II phosphorylation and that in some cell lines this change promotes viral late transcription.

Role of adapter function in oncoprotein-mediated activation of NF-kappaB. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax interacts directly with IkappaB kinase gamma

Mechanisms by which the human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax oncoprotein activates NF-kappaB remain incompletely understood. Although others have described an interaction between Tax and a holo-IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, the exact details of protein-protein contact are not fully defined. Here we show that Tax binds to neither IKK-alpha nor IKK-beta but instead complexes directly with IKK-gamma, a newly characterized component of the IKK complex. This direct interaction with IKK-gamma correlates with Tax-induced IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation. Thus, our findings establish IKK-gamma as a key molecule for adapting an oncoprotein-specific signaling to IKK-alpha and IKK-beta.

Specificity of cyclin E-Cdk2, TFIIB, and E1A interactions with a common domain of the p300 coactivator

The p300 and CREB binding protein (CBP) transcriptional coactivators interact with a variety of transcription factors and regulate their activity. Among the interactions that have been described, the COOH-terminal region of p300 binds to cyclin E-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cyclin E-Cdk2) and TFIIB, as well as to the E1A gene products of adenovirus. Inhibition of Cdk activity by Cdk inhibitors, such as p21 or p27, potentiates NF-kappaB activity and provides a mechanism to coordinate cell cycle progression with the transcription of genes expressed during growth arrest. In this report, we analyze the specific domains of p300 required for the binding of p300 to cyclin E-Cdk2, TFIIB, and E1A and the ability of these proteins to interact with p300, alone or in combination. 12S E1A, an inhibitor of p300-dependent transcription, reduces the binding of TFIIB, but not that of cyclin E-Cdk2, to p300. In contrast, 13S E1A, a pleiotropic transcriptional activator, does not inhibit TFIIB binding to p300, although it enhances the interaction of cyclin E-Cdk2 with p300. Modification of cyclin E-Cdk2 is most likely required for association with p300 since the interaction is observed only with cyclin E-Cdk2 purified from mammalian cells. Domain swap studies show that the cyclin homology domain of TFIIB is involved in interactions with p300, although the homologous region from cyclin E does not mediate this interaction. These findings suggest that p300 or CBP function is regulated by interactions of various proteins with a common coactivator domain.

Characterization of the gene encoding human TAFI (thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor; plasma procarboxypeptidase B)

Thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a recently described human plasma zymogen that is related to pancreatic carboxypeptidase B. The active form of TAFI (TAFIa), which is formed by thrombin cleavage of the zymogen, likely inhibits fibrinolysis by removal from partially degraded fibrin of the carboxyl-terminal lysine residues which act to stimulate plasminogen activation. We have isolated and characterized genomic clones which encompass the entire human TAFI gene from lambda phage and bacterial artificial chromosome genomic libraries. The complete TAFI gene contains 11 exons and spans approximately 48 kb of genomic DNA. The positions of intron/exon boundaries are conserved between the TAFI gene and the rat pancreatic carboxypeptidase A1, A2, and B and the human mast cell carboxypeptidase A genes, indicating that these carboxypeptidases arose from a common ancestral gene. However, the intron lengths diverge significantly among all of these genes. The TAFI promoter lacks a consensus TATA sequence, and transcription is initiated from multiple sites. Transient transfection of reporter plasmids containing portions of the TAFI 5'-flanking region into mammalian cells allowed localization of the promoter and identified a approximately 70 bp region crucial for liver-specific transcription. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones obtained from human liver RNA indicated that the TAFI transcript is polyadenylated at three different sites. Our findings will facilitate the assessment of the regulation of TAFI expression by transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional mechanisms. Furthermore, knowledge of the genomic structure of the TAFI gene will aid in the identification of mutations that may be associated with the tendency to either bleed or thrombose.

Transcriptional coregulators in development

Small differences in the levels of an extracellular signaling molecule can specify cell fate during development. Threshold responses are often determined at the level of transcription. Cell-specific and spatially localized patterns of gene expression depend on combinations of sequence-specific activators and repressors that bind to extensive cis-regulatory regions. Different mechanisms for integrating this complex regulatory information are discussed, particularly the role of coregulatory proteins, which are recruited to the DNA template by sequence-specific transcription factors. Recent studies suggest that a growing set of coactivators and corepressors mediate communication between diverse upstream regulatory proteins and the core RNA polymerase II transcription complex.

Immune evasion by adenoviruses

Adenovirus is a human pathogen that infects mainly respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelia. While the pathology caused by this virus is generally not life threatening in immunocompetent individuals, there is a large literature describing its ability to establish a persistent infection. These persistent infections typically occur in apparently healthy individuals with no outward signs of disease. Such a long term and benign interaction between virus and immune system requires adenoviruses to dampen host antiviral effector mechanisms that would otherwise eliminate the virus and cause immune-mediated pathology to the host. Adenovirus devotes a significant portion of its genome to gene products whose sole function seems to be the modulation of host immune responses. This review focuses on what is currently understood about how these immunomodulatory mechanisms work and how they might play a role in maintaining the virus in a persistent state.

Regulation of histone acetyltransferases p300 and PCAF by the bHLH protein twist and adenoviral oncoprotein E1A

Histone acetyltransferases (HAT) play a critical role in transcriptional control by relieving repressive effects of chromatin, and yet how HATs themselves are regulated remains largely unknown. Here, it is shown that Twist directly binds two independent HAT domains of acetyltransferases, p300 and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), and directly regulates their HAT activities. The N terminus of Twist is a primary domain interacting with both acetyltransferases, and the same domain is required for inhibition of p300-dependent transcription by Twist. Adenovirus E1A protein mimics the effects of Twist by inhibiting the HAT activities of p300 and PCAF. These findings establish a cogent argument for considering the HAT domains as a direct target for acetyltransferase regulation by both a cellular transcription factor and a viral oncoprotein.

p53 status does not determine outcome of E1B 55-kilodalton mutant adenovirus lytic infection

The ability of the adenovirus type 5 E1B 55-kDa mutants dl1520 and dl338 to replicate efficiently and independently of the cell cycle, to synthesis viral DNA, and to lyse infected cells did not correlate with the status of p53 in seven cell lines examined. Rather, cell cycle-independent replication and virus-induced cell killing correlated with permissivity to viral replication. This correlation extended to S-phase HeLa cells, which were more susceptible to virus-induced cell killing by the E1B 55-kDa mutant virus than HeLa cells infected during G1. Wild-type p53 had only a modest effect on E1B mutant virus yields in H1299 cells expressing a temperature-sensitive p53 allele. The defect in E1B 55-kDa mutant virus replication resulting from reduced temperature was as much as 10-fold greater than the defect due to p53 function. At 39 degreesC, the E1B 55-kDa mutant viruses produced wild-type yields of virus and replicated independently of the cell cycle. In addition, the E1B 55-kDa mutant viruses directed the synthesis of late viral proteins to levels equivalent to the wild-type virus level at 39 degreesC. We have previously shown that the defect in mutant virus replication can also be overcome by infecting HeLa cells during S phase. Taken together, these results indicate that the capacity of the E1B 55-kDa mutant virus to replicate independently of the cell cycle does not correlate with the status of p53 but is determined by yet unidentified mechanisms. The cold-sensitive nature of the defect of the E1B 55-kDa mutant virus in both late gene expression and cell cycle-independent replication leads us to speculate that these functions of the E1B 55-kDa protein may be linked.

A matter of life and cell death

In multicellular organisms, mutations in somatic cells affecting critical genes that regulate cell proliferation and survival cause fatal cancers. Repair of the damage is one obvious option, although the relative inconsequence of individual cells in metazoans means that it is often a "safer" strategy to ablate the offending cell. Not surprisingly, corruption of the machinery that senses or implements DNA damage greatly predisposes to cancer. Nonetheless, even when oncogenic mutations do occur, there exist potent mechanisms that limit the expansion of affected cells by suppressing their proliferation or triggering their suicide. Growing understanding of these innate mechanisms is suggesting novel therapeutic strategies for cancer.

E1A signaling to p53 involves the p19(ARF) tumor suppressor

The adenovirus E1A oncogene activates p53 through a signaling pathway involving the retinoblastoma protein and the tumor suppressor p19(ARF). The ability of E1A to induce p53 and its transcriptional targets is severely compromised in ARF-null cells, which remain resistant to apoptosis following serum depletion or adriamycin treatment. Reintroduction of p19(ARF) restores p53 accumulation and resensitizes ARF-null cells to apoptotic signals. Therefore, p19(ARF) functions as part of a p53-dependent failsafe mechanism to counter uncontrolled proliferation. Synergistic effects between the p19(ARF) and DNA damage pathways in inducing p53 may contribute to E1A's ability to enhance radio- and chemosensitivity.