An activation domain within the walleye dermal sarcoma virus retroviral cyclin protein is essential for inhibition of the viral promoter

Retroviral cyclin controls cyclin-dependent kinase 8-mediated transcription elongation and reinitiation

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) infection is associated with the seasonal development and regression of walleye dermal sarcoma. Previous work showed that the retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin), encoded by WDSV, has separable cyclin box and transcription activation domains. It binds to cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and enhances its kinase activity. CDK8 is evolutionarily conserved and is frequently overexpressed in human cancers. It is normally activated by cyclin C and is required for transcription elongation of the serum response genes (immediate early genes [IEGs]) FOS, EGR1, and cJUN. The IEGs drive cell proliferation, and their expression is brief and highly regulated. Here we show that constitutive expression of RV-cyclin in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line significantly increases the level of IEG expression in response to serum stimulation. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and nuclear run-on assays provide evidence that RV-cyclin does not alter the initiation of IEG transcription but does enhance the overall rate of transcription elongation and maintains transcription reinitiation. RV-cyclin does not increase activating phosphorylation events in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and does not inhibit decay of IEG mRNAs. At the EGR1 gene locus, RV-cyclin increases and maintains RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy after serum stimulation, in conjunction with increased and extended EGR1 gene expression. The RV-cyclin increases CDK8 occupancy at the EGR1 gene locus before and after serum stimulation. Both of RV-cyclin's functional domains, i.e., the cyclin box and the activation domain, are necessary for the overall enhancement of IEG expression. RV-cyclin presents a novel and ancient mechanism of retrovirus-induced oncogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

The data reported here are important to both virology and cancer biology. The novel mechanism pinpoints CDK8 in the development of walleye dermal sarcoma and sheds light on CDK8's role in many human cancers. CDK8 controls expression from highly regulated genes, including the interferon-stimulated genes. Its function is likely the target of many viral interferon-resistance mechanisms. CDK8 also controls cellular responses to metabolic stimuli, stress, and hypoxia, in addition to the serum response. The retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin) represents a highly selected probe of CDK8 function. RV-cyclin does not control CDK8 specificity but instead enhances CDK8's effects on regulated genes, an important distinction for its use to delineate natural CDK8 targets. The outcomes of this research are applicable to investigations of normal and abnormal CDK8 functions. The mechanisms defined here will contribute directly to the dermal sarcoma model in fish and clarify an important path for oncogenesis and innate resistance to viruses.

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus: expression of a full-length clone or the rv-cyclin (orf a) gene is cytopathic to the host and human tumor cells

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) is etiologically associated with a skin tumor, walleye dermal sarcoma (WDS), which develops in the fall and regresses in the spring. WDSV genome contains, in addition to gag, pol and env, three open reading frames (orfs) designated orf a (rv-cyclin), orf b and orf c. Unintegrated linear WDSV provirus DNA isolated from infected tumor cells was used to construct a full-length WDSV provirus clone pWDSV, while orf a was cloned into pSVK3 to construct the expression vector porfA. Stable co-transfection of a walleye cell line (W12) with pWDSV and pcDNA3 generated fewer and smaller G418-resistant colonies compared to the control. By Northern blot analysis, several small transcripts (2.8, 1.8, 1.2, and 0.8 kb) were detected using a WDSV LTR-specific probe. By RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis, three cDNAs (2.4, 1.6 and 0.8 kb) were identified, including both orf a and orf b messenger. Furthermore stable co-transfection of both a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (SPC-A-1) and a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) with pcDNA3 and ether porfA or pWDSV also generated fewer and smaller G418-resistant colonies. We conclude that expression of the full-length WDSV clone or the orf a gene inhibits the host fish and human tumor cell growth, and Orf A protein maybe a potential factor which contributes to the seasonal tumor development and regression. This is the first fish provirus clone that has been expressed in cell culture system, which will provide a new in vitro model for tumor research and oncotherapy study.

Retroviral cyclin enhances cyclin-dependent kinase-8 activity

Alterations in the functional levels of cyclin-dependent kinase-8 (CDK8) or its partner, cyclin C, have been clearly associated with cancers, including colon cancer, melanoma, and osteosarcoma. Walleye dermal sarcoma virus encodes a retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin) that localizes to interchromatin granule clusters and binds CDK8. It also binds to the Aα subunit (PR65) of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Binding to the Aα subunit excludes the regulatory B subunit, but not the catalytic C subunit, in a manner similar to that of T antigens of the small DNA tumor viruses. The expression of the RV-cyclin enhances the activity of immune affinity-purified CDK8 in vitro for RNA polymerase II carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) and histone H3 substrates. PP2A also enhances CDK8 kinase activity in vitro for the CTD but not for histone H3. The PP2A enhancement of CDK8 is independent of RV-cyclin expression and likely plays a role in the normal regulation of CDK8. The manipulation of endogenous PP2A activity by inhibition, amendment, or depletion confirmed its role in CDK8 activation by triggering CDK8 autophosphorylation. Although RV-cyclin and PP2A both enhance CDK8 activity, their actions are uncoupled and additive in kinase reactions. PP2A may be recruited to CDK8 in the Mediator complex by a specific PP2A B subunit or additionally by the RV-cyclin in infected cells, but the RV-cyclin appears to activate CDK8 directly and in a manner independent of its physical association with PP2A.

The retroviral cyclin of walleye dermal sarcoma virus binds cyclin-dependent kinases 3 and 8

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus encodes a retroviral cyclin (rv-cyclin) with a cyclin box fold and transcription activation domain (AD). Co-immune precipitation (co-IP) identified an association of rv-cyclin with cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (cdk8). Cdk8 is dependent upon cyclin C and regulates transcription with the Mediator complex, a co-activator of transcription. Mutation of cyclin residues, required for cdk binding, disrupts rv-cyclin-cdk8 co-IP. Mutation or removal of the AD has no effect on cdk8 interaction. Direct rv-cyclin-cdk8 binding is demonstrated by pulldown of active cdk8 and by GST-rv-cyclin binding to recombinant cdk8. Cdk3 is also activated by cyclin C and phosphorylates retinoblastoma protein to initiate entry into the cell division cycle. Co-IP and pulldowns demonstrate direct rv-cyclin binding to cdk3 as well. The rv-cyclin functions as a structural ortholog of cyclin C in spite of its limited amino acid sequence identity with C cyclins or with any known cyclins.

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus: molecular biology and oncogenesis

Retroviruses have been detected in most vertebrate species and are etiologic agents of a variety of neoplastic diseases. The study of retroviruses has been instrumental in uncovering the molecular mechanisms responsible for oncogenesis. Retroviruses have been isolated from three neoplastic diseases in fish, two of which affect the dermis and regress naturally coincident with spawning. This feature provides a unique model to study mechanisms of tumor development and regression. Three complex retroviruses, isolated from walleye (Sander vitreus) with dermal sarcoma and epidermal hyperplasia, are the members of the newest retroviral genus, Epsilonretrovirus. Three accessory proteins, encoded by walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV), function in the regulation of host and viral gene expression and cell cycle, alter cell-signaling pathways to promote cell proliferation and block apoptosis, and, finally, induce apoptosis through dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential.

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus rv-cyclin inhibits NF-kappaB-dependent transcription

The retroviral cyclin protein (rv-cyclin) of walleye dermal sarcoma virus contains two known functional domains, a cyclin box motif and a carboxy terminal transcription activation domain (AD). The AD contacts TATA-binding protein-associated factor 9 (TAF9), and this action is necessary for both positive and negative regulation of transcription from host and viral promoters. Negative regulation occurs via interference with TAF9 binding by transcriptional activators. Transcription factors that share a functional TAF9-binding motif include NF-kappaB. Rv-cyclin down regulates NF-kappaB-dependent transcription, whether induced by TNFalpha or by direct phosphorylation of IkappaB by expressed MEKK1. In rv-cyclin-expressing cells, NF-kappaB p65 is phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus, where it forms heterodimers with p50 and binds NF-kappaB response elements. Furthermore, interference with NF-kappaB is dependent upon an intact TAF9-binding motif in rv-cyclin. The outcome of this NF-kappaB down regulation is likely to be important in the control of virus replication and tumorigenesis.

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus Orf B functions through receptor for activated C kinase (RACK1) and protein kinase C

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus is a complex retrovirus that is associated with walleye dermal sarcomas that are seasonal in nature. Fall developing tumors contain low levels of spliced accessory gene transcripts A and B, suggesting a role for the encoded proteins, Orf A and Orf B, in oncogenesis. In explanted tumor cells the 35 kDa Orf B accessory protein is localized to the cell periphery in structures similar to focal adhesions and along actin stress fibers. Similar localization was observed in mammalian cells. The cellular protein, receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), bound Orf B in yeast two-hybrid assays and in cell culture. Sequence analysis of walleye RACK1 demonstrated high conservation to other known RACK1 sequences. RACK1 binds to activated protein kinase C (PKC). Orf B associates with PKCalpha, which is constitutively activated and localized at the membrane. Activated PKC promoted cell survival, proliferation, and increased cell viability in Orf B-expressing cells.

Establishment of productively infected walleye dermal sarcoma explant cells

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) is a complex retrovirus associated with dermal sarcomas in walleye fish. Virus expression is tightly regulated and limited to accessory gene transcripts throughout tumour development. During tumour regression, this regulation is lost and the replication of virus is greatly enhanced. Cultured walleye fibroblasts infected in vitro do not produce significant quantities of infectious virus. Tissue culture cells established by explantation of tumour cells were found to harbour WDSV provirus and to express accessory and structural proteins. The sequence of the provirus showed little variation from a previous WDSV isolate. Retroviral particles were isolated from supernatants from these cells and were able to transfer infection to uninfected walleye fibroblasts. In addition to the virus present in supernatants, much of the virus was cell associated and liberated only by sonication. This virus was found at internal cellular membranes, including mitochondria, and was infectious.

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus retroviral cyclin directly contacts TAF9

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) is a complex retrovirus associated with dermal sarcomas in walleye fish. A WDSV accessory gene encodes a cyclin homolog or retroviral cyclin (rv-cyclin). WDSV rv-cyclin was found to be associated with transcription complexes and to affect transcription in a cell-type and promoter-dependent manner. It inhibited the WDSV promoter in walleye fibroblasts and activated transcription from GAL4 promoters when fused to the GAL4 DNA binding domain, and an activation domain (AD) has been localized to 30 amino acids in the carboxyl region. rv-cyclin can block the pulldown of transcription coactivators by the AD of VP16, and the isolated rv-cyclin AD interferes specifically with the interaction between the carboxyl halves of the VP16 AD, VP16C, and TATA-binding protein-associated factor 9 (TAF9). The carboxyl region and isolated AD can bind TAF9 directly in assays of protein-protein interaction in vitro. Furthermore, rv-cyclin and the isolated rv-cyclin AD interfere specifically with the function of VP16C in transcription assays. A previously identified motif within the VP16C sequence mediates TAF9 binding, and this motif is present in the activation domains of a variety of TAF9-binding transcriptional activators. A similar motif is present in the rv-cyclin AD, and point mutations within this motif affect rv-cyclin function and protein-protein interactions. The results support a model of transcription regulation by direct interaction with TAF9.