A viral mechanism for inhibition of p300 and PCAF acetyltransferase activity

Acetylation of histones and non-histone proteins is not a mere consequence of ongoing transcription

In all eukaryotes, acetylation of histone lysine residues correlates with transcription activation. Whether histone acetylation is a cause or consequence of transcription is debated. One model suggests that transcription promotes the recruitment and/or activation of acetyltransferases, and histone acetylation occurs as a consequence of ongoing transcription. However, the extent to which transcription shapes the global protein acetylation landscapes is not known. Here, we show that global protein acetylation remains virtually unaltered after acute transcription inhibition. Transcription inhibition ablates the co-transcriptionally occurring ubiquitylation of H2BK120 but does not reduce histone acetylation. The combined inhibition of transcription and CBP/p300 further demonstrates that acetyltransferases remain active and continue to acetylate histones independently of transcription. Together, these results show that histone acetylation is not a mere consequence of transcription; acetyltransferase recruitment and activation are uncoupled from the act of transcription, and histone and non-histone protein acetylation are sustained in the absence of ongoing transcription.

Expanding the Landscape of Amyloid Sequences with CARs-DB: A Database of Polar Amyloidogenic Peptides from Disordered Proteins

Several databases collecting amyloidogenic regions have been released to provide information on protein sequences able to form amyloid fibrils. However, most of these resources are built with data from experiments that detect highly hydrophobic stretches located within transiently exposed protein segments. We recently demonstrated that cryptic amyloidogenic regions (CARs) of polar nature have the potential to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. Given the underrepresentation of these types of sequences in current amyloid databases, we developed CARs-DB, the first repository that collects thousands of predicted CARs from intrinsically disordered regions. This protocol chapter describes how to use CARs-DB to search for sequences of interest that might be connected to disease or functional protein-protein interactions. In addition, we provide study cases to illustrate the database's features to users. The CARs-DB is readily accessible at http://carsdb.ppmclab.com/ .

The D129L protein of African swine fever virus interferes with the binding of transcriptional coactivator p300 and IRF3 to prevent beta interferon induction

IMPORTANCE

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, hemorrhagic, and severe porcine infectious disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASF outbreaks severely threaten the global pig industries and result in serious economic losses. No safe and efficacious commercial vaccine is currently available except in Vietnam. To date, large gaps in the knowledge concerning viral biological characteristics and immunoevasion strategies have hindered the ASF vaccine design. In this study, we demonstrate that pD129L negatively regulates the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway by interfering with the interaction of the transcriptional coactivator p300 and IRF3, thereby inhibiting the induction of type I IFNs. This study reveals a novel immunoevasion strategy employed by ASFV, shedding new light on the intricate mechanisms for ASFV to evade the host immune responses.

Insights into Regulators of p53 Acetylation

The tumor suppressor p53 is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of dozens of target genes and diverse physiological processes. To precisely regulate the p53 network, p53 undergoes various post-translational modifications and alters the selectivity of target genes. Acetylation plays an essential role in cell fate determination through the activation of p53. Although the acetylation of p53 has been examined, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear and, thus, have attracted the interest of researchers. We herein discuss the role of acetylation in the p53 pathway, with a focus on p53 acetyltransferases and deacetylases. We also review recent findings on the regulators of these enzymes to understand the mode of p53 acetylation from a broader perspective.

Tyrosine hydroxylase gene promoter activity is upregulated in female catecholaminergic neuroblastoma cells following activation of a Gαq-coupled designer receptor

Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine biosynthesis that catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. The tyrosine hydroxylase gene is regulated by extracellular signaling molecules such as epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor and steroids. Here, we investigated whether the activity of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene promoter is upregulated by activation of G protein-coupled receptors, the largest group of plasma membrane receptors. We used catecholaminergic neuroblastoma cells as a cellular model and chromatin-integrated tyrosine hydroxylase promoter-luciferase reporter genes. The results show that stimulation of Rαq, a Gαq-coupled designer receptor, triggered transcription of a reporter gene driven by the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. Transcription was attenuated by overexpression of regulator of G-protein signaling-2, which activates the GTPase activity of the G protein α-subunit, and by a truncated, dominant-negative mutant of phospholipase Cβ3. Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase was identified as the signal transducer. At the transcriptional level, tyrosine hydroxylase promoter activity was found to be controlled by the transcription factor CREB. Expression experiments with the adenoviral regulator protein E1A, an inhibitor of CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferases, showed that transcription of the reporter gene controlled by the tyrosine hydroxylase is under epigenetic control. We identified the protein phosphatases MAP kinase phosphatase-1 and calcineurin as part of a shutdown device of the signaling cascade linking Rαq designer receptor activation to tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription. We conclude that tyrosine hydroxylase promoter activity is controlled by Gαq-coupled receptors.

Dynamics of the Histone Acetyltransferase Lysine-Rich Loop in the Catalytic Core of the CREB-Binding Protein

The tight control of transcriptional coactivators is a fundamental aspect of gene expression in cells. The regulation of the CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300 coactivators, two paralog multidomain proteins, involves an autoinhibitory loop (AIL) of the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain. There is experimental evidence for the AIL engaging with the HAT binding site, thus interrupting the acetylation of histone tails or other proteins. Both CBP and p300 contain a domain of about 110 residues (called the bromodomain) that recognizes histone tails with one or more acetylated lysine side chains. Here, we investigate by molecular dynamics simulations whether the AIL of CBP (residues 1556-1618) acetylated at the side chain of Lys1595 can bind to the bromodomain. The structural instability and fast unbinding kinetics of the AIL from the bromodomain pocket suggest that the AIL is not a ligand of the bromodomain on the same protein chain. This is further supported by the absence of strong and persistent contacts at the binding interface. Furthermore, the simulations of unbinding show an initial fast detachment of the acetylated lysine and a slower phase necessary for complete AIL dissociation. We provide further evidence for the instability of the AIL intramolecular binding by comparison with a natural ligand, the histone peptide H3K56ac, which shows higher stability in the pocket.

Immediate-early transcriptional response to insulin receptor stimulation

Insulin binding to the insulin receptor triggers intracellular signaling cascades involving the activation of protein and lipid kinases. As a result, multiple biological functions of the cells are changed. Here, we analyzed the regulation and signaling cascades leading to insulin-induced activation of the stimulus-responsive transcription factors. For the analyses, we used chromatin-embedded reporter genes having a cellular nucleosomal organisation, and fibroblasts expressing human insulin receptors (HIRcB cells). The results show that stimulation of the insulin receptor induced the expression of the transcription factor Egr-1. Attenuation of Egr-1 promoter activation was observed following expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the ternary complex factor Elk-1. These data were corroborated by experiments showing that insulin receptor stimulation increased the transcriptional activation potential of Elk-1. In addition, the transcriptional activity of AP-1 was significantly elevated in insulin-stimulated HIRcB cells. Expression of the dominant-negative mutant of Elk-1 reduced insulin-induced activation of AP-1, indicating that Elk-1 controls both serum response element and AP-1-regulated transcription. Moreover, we show that stimulation of the insulin receptor activates cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-controlled transcription, involving the transcription factor CREB. Insulin-induced transcription of Elk-1 and CREB-controlled reporter genes was attenuated by overexpression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 or a constitutively active mutant of calcineurin A, indicating that both phosphatases are part of a negative feedback loop for reducing insulin-mediated gene transcription. Finally, we show that expression of the adenoviral protein E1A selectively reduced CRE-mediated transcription following stimulation of the insulin receptor. These data indicate that insulin-regulated transcription of CRE-containing genes is under epigenetic control.

Based on a Self-Feeder Layer, a Novel 3D Culture Model of Human ADSCs Facilitates Trans-Differentiation of the Spheroid Cells into Neural Progenitor-Like Cells Using siEID3 with a Laminin/Poly-d-lysine Matrix

Human adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are receiving unprecedented attention as a potential cellular source for regenerative medicine-based therapies against various diseases and conditions. However, there still have significant issues concerning the translational development of ADSC-based therapies, such as its heterogeneity and being prone to aging. We developed a new simple and economical 3D semi-suspended expansion method in which 3D spheroids reside on an ADSC-derived self-feeder cell layer, producing cells with increased population homogeneity and strong stemness and ensuring that the proliferation and differentiation potency of the cells does not become notably reduced after at least ten passages in culture. To check the potential application of the 3D ADSC spheroids, we discovered that the combination of siEID3, which is a small interfering RNA of EP300 inhibitor of differentiation 3 (EID3), and laminin/poly-d-lysine matrix can rapidly result in trans-differentiation of the 3D spheroid cells to neural progenitor-like cells (NPLCs) in approximately 9 days in vitro. This approach provides a multidisciplinary tool for stem cell research and production in mesenchymal stem cell-related fields.

p300 promotes cell proliferation through suppressing Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) reactivation in the infected B-lymphoma cells

Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL) is a B-cell lymphoma associated with Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. However, the mechanism of oncogenesis of PEL is still unclear. Studies have shown that the cellular transcriptional coactivator p300 regulates the interaction between host and virus, which plays a vital role in viral replication. In this study, we investigated the role of p300 in BCBL1 cells during the KSHV life cycle. We found that p300 knockout resulted in an overall increase for the early lytic genes and changed the expression of genes associated with tumor development, proliferation, and the immune response in the KSHV infected B cells. However, knockout of p300 significantly inhibited the expression of the immediate-early gene RTA and the late lytic gene K8 after KSHV lytic activation. Additionally, the intracellular KSHV genome copy number and the virion production were reduced. These results demonstrated that p300 plays a crucial role in suppressing KSHV viral replication in BCBL1. Furthermore, we observed that the growth of BCBL1 was inhibited by knockout of p300, which confirmed our findings that p300 promotes cell proliferation. This study further provided evidence that p300 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of BCBL1, which might lead to the oncogenesis of PEL caused by KSHV infection.

USP12 translocation maintains interferon antiviral efficacy by inhibiting CBP acetyltransferase activity

CREB-binding protein (CBP) participates in numerous transcription events. However, cell-intrinsic inhibitors of CBP are poorly defined. Here, we found that cellular USP12 interacts with the HAT domain of CBP and inhibits CBP’s acetyltransferase activity. Interestingly, USP12 positively regulates interferon (IFN) antiviral signaling independently of its deubiquitinase activity. Furthermore, we found that in IFN signaling USP12 translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The decrease in cytoplasmic USP12 facilitates CBP-induced acetylation and activation of IFN signaling proteins in the cytoplasm. Moreover, USP12 accumulation in the nucleus blocks CBP-induced acetylation of phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) and therefore inhibits the dephosphorylation effects of TCPTP on p-STAT1, which finally maintains nuclear p-STAT1 levels and IFN antiviral efficacy. USP12 nuclear translocation extends our understanding of the regulation of the strength of IFN antiviral signaling. Our study uncovers a cell-intrinsic regulation of CBP acetyltransferase activity and may provide potential strategies for IFN-based antiviral therapy.

Activated p-STAT1 is a determinant for the strength of IFN antiviral signaling. We and other groups have demonstrated that activated p-STAT1 is regulated by multiple protein post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation and ubiquitination. In this study, we revealed that CBP-mediated acetylation regulation of p-STAT1 is modulated by the deubiquitinase USP12 in a deubiquitinase activity-independent manner. USP12 translocates into the nucleus in IFN signaling, which critically regulates nuclear p-STAT1 levels and IFN antiviral activity by inhibiting CBP’s acetyltransferase activity. Importantly, we demonstrated that USP12 is a cell-intrinsic inhibitor of the acetyltransferase CBP. These findings promote the understanding of delicate regulation of both CBP-mediated acetylation and IFN antiviral signaling.

Garcinol inhibits esophageal cancer metastasis by suppressing the p300 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways

Metastasis causes the main lethality in esophageal cancer patient. Garcinol, a natural compound extracted from Gambogic genera, is a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor that has shown anticancer activities such as cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. In this study, we investigated the effects of garcinol on the metastasis of esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo. We found that garcinol (5–15 μM) dose-dependently inhibited the migration and invasion of human esophageal cancer cell lines KYSE150 and KYSE450 in wound healing, transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays. Furthermore, garcinol treatment dose-dependently decreased the protein levels of p300/CBP (transcriptional cofactors and HATs) and p-Smad2/3 expression in the nucleus, thus impeding tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Knockdown of p300 could inhibit cell metastasis, but CBP knockdown did not affect the cell mobility. It has been reported that TGF-β1 stimulated the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, which directly interact with p300/CBP in the nucleus, and upregulating HAT activity of p300. We showed that garcinol treatment dose-dependently suppressed TGF-β1-activated Smad and non-Smad pathway, inhibiting esophageal cancer cell metastasis. In a tail vein injection pulmonary metastasis mouse model, intraperitoneal administration of garcinol (20 mg/kg) or 5-FU (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased the number of lung tumor nodules and the expression levels of Ki-67, p300, and p-Smad2/3 in lung tissues. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that garcinol inhibits esophageal cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo, which might be related to the suppression of p300 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways, suggesting the therapeutic potential of Garcinol for metastatic tumors.

Expression of Adenoviral E1A in Transformed Cells as an Additional Factor of HDACi-Dependent FoxO Regulation

The adenoviral early region 1A (E1A) protein has proapoptotic and angiogenic activity, along with its chemosensitizing effect, making it the focus of increased interest in the context of cancer therapy. It was previously shown that E1A-induced chemosensitization to different drugs, including histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACi), appears to be mediated by Forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factors. In this study, we explore the relationship between E1A expression and the modulation of FoxO activity with HDACi sodium butyrate (NaBut). We show here that the basal FoxO level is elevated in E1A-expressing cells. Prolonged NaBut treatment leads to the inhibition of the FoxO expression and activity in E1A-expressing cells. However, in E1A-negative cells, NaBut promotes the transactivation ability of FoxO over time. A more detailed investigation revealed that the NaBut-induced decrease of FoxO activity in E1A-expressing cells is due to the NaBut-dependent decrease in E1A expression. Therefore, NaBut-induced inhibition of FoxO in E1A-positive cells can be overcome under unregulated overexpression of E1A. Remarkably, the CBP/p300-binding domain of E1Aad5 is responsible for stabilization of the FoxO protein. Collectively, these data show that the expression of E1A increases the FoxO stability but makes the FoxO level more sensitive to HDACi treatment.

Epigenetics and the dynamics of chromatin during adenovirus infections

The DNA genome of eukaryotic cells is compacted by histone proteins within the nucleus to form chromatin. Nuclear-replicating viruses such as adenovirus have evolved mechanisms of chromatin manipulation to promote infection and subvert host defenses. Epigenetic factors may also regulate persistent adenovirus infection and reactivation in lymphoid tissues. In this review, we discuss the viral proteins E1A and protein VII that interact with and alter host chromatin, as well as E4orf3, which separates host chromatin from sites of viral replication. We also highlight recent advances in chromatin technologies that offer new insights into virus-directed chromatin manipulation. Beyond the role of chromatin in the viral replication cycle, we discuss the nature of persistent viral genomes in lymphoid tissue and cell lines, and the potential contribution of epigenetic signals in maintaining adenovirus in a quiescent state. By understanding the mechanisms through which adenovirus manipulates host chromatin, we will understand new aspects of this ubiquitous virus and shed light on previously unknown aspects of chromatin biology.

Dedifferentiation by adenovirus E1A due to inactivation of Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ

In this study, Zemke et al. show that E1A inactivates the Hippo pathway-regulated TEAD coactivators YAP and TAZ by causing their sequestration in the cytoplasm. Their findings suggest that YAP/TAZ function in a developmental checkpoint controlled by signaling from the actin cytoskeleton that prevents differentiation of a progenitor cell until it is in the correct cellular and tissue environment.

Adenovirus transformed cells have a dedifferentiated phenotype. Eliminating E1A in transformed human embryonic kidney cells derepressed ∼2600 genes, generating a gene expression profile closely resembling mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This was associated with a dramatic change in cell morphology from one with scant cytoplasm and a globular nucleus to one with increased cytoplasm, extensive actin stress fibers, and actomyosin-dependent flattening against the substratum. E1A-induced hypoacetylation at histone H3 Lys27 and Lys18 (H3K27/18) was reversed. Most of the increase in H3K27/18ac was in enhancers near TEAD transcription factors bound by Hippo signaling-regulated coactivators YAP and TAZ. E1A causes YAP/TAZ cytoplasmic sequestration. After eliminating E1A, YAP/TAZ were transported into nuclei, where they associated with poised enhancers with DNA-bound TEAD4 and H3K4me1. This activation of YAP/TAZ required RHO family GTPase signaling and caused histone acetylation by p300/CBP, chromatin remodeling, and cohesin loading to establish MSC-associated enhancers and then superenhancers. Consistent results were also observed in primary rat embryo kidney cells, human fibroblasts, and human respiratory tract epithelial cells. These results together with earlier studies suggest that YAP/TAZ function in a developmental checkpoint controlled by signaling from the actin cytoskeleton that prevents differentiation of a progenitor cell until it is in the correct cellular and tissue environment.

H3K18Ac as a Marker of Cancer Progression and Potential Target of Anti-Cancer Therapy

Acetylation and deacetylation are posttranslational modifications (PTMs) which affect the regulation of chromatin structure and its remodeling. Acetylation of histone 3 at lysine placed on position 18 (H3K18Ac) plays an important role in driving progression of many types of cancer, including breast, colon, lung, hepatocellular, pancreatic, prostate, and thyroid cancer. The aim of this review is to analyze and discuss the newest findings regarding the role of H3K18Ac and acetylation of other histones in carcinogenesis. We summarize the level of H3K18Ac in different cancer cell lines and analyze its association with patients’ outcomes, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Finally, we describe future perspectives of cancer therapeutic strategies based on H3K18 modifications.

Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal new insights into the regulation of immune pathways during adenovirus type 2 infection

Background

Human adenovirus (Ad) infection leads to the changes of host cell gene expression and biosynthetic processes. Transcriptomics in adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-infected lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) cells has previously been studied using RNA sequencing. However, this study included only two time points (12 and 24 hpi) using constrained 76 bp long sequencing reads. Therefore, a more detailed study of transcription at different phases of infection using an up-graded sequencing technique is recalled. Furthermore, the correlation between transcription and protein expression needs to be addressed.

Results

In total, 3556 unique cellular genes were identified as differentially expressed at the transcriptional level with more than 2-fold changes in Ad2-infected cells as compared to non-infected cells by using paired-end sequencing. Based on the kinetics of the gene expression changes at different times after infection, these RNAs fell into 20 clusters. Among them, cellular genes involved in immune response were highly up-regulated in the early phase before becoming down-regulated in the late phase. Comparison of differentially expressed genes at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels revealed low correlation. Particularly genes involved in cellular immune pathways showed a negative correlation. Here, we highlight the genes which expose inconsistent expression profiles with an emphasis on key factors in cellular immune pathways including NFκB, JAK/STAT, caspases and MAVS. Different from their transcriptional profiles with up- and down-regulation in the early and late phase, respectively, these proteins were up-regulated in the early phase and were sustained in the late phase. A surprising finding was that the target genes of the sustained activators failed to show response.

Conclusion

There were features common to genes which play important roles in cellular immune pathways. Their expression was stimulated at both RNA and protein levels during the early phase. In the late phase however, their transcription was suppressed while protein levels remained stable. These results indicate that Ad2 and the host cell use different strategies to regulate cellular immune pathways. A control mechanism at the post-translational level must thus exist which is under the control of Ad2.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1375-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Histone deacetylase 8 triggers the migration of triple negative breast cancer cells via regulation of YAP signals

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows highly aggressive clinical behaviors and poor prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) can regulate the progression of various cancers, but the role of HDAC8 in TNBC remains unexplored. Here, we found that HDAC8 enhanced the in vitro migration abilities of breast cancer cells. Targeted inhibition of HDAC8 via si-HDAC8 and its selective inhibitor PCI34051 could suppress the migration of cells. In TNBC cells, HDAC8 stabilized the expression and increased the nuclear localization of YAP, a major downstream effector of Hippo pathway. While silencing YAP could attenuate HDAC8 triggered migration of TNBC cells. Mechanistically, HDAC8 suppressed the phosphorylation of YAP^Ser127, which was related to its cytoplasmic sequestration degradation. Our data revealed that HDAC8 could trigger the migration of TNBC cells via regulation of Hippo-YAP signals, suggesting that HDAC8 might be a potential target for TNBC therapy.

Inhibitor of CBP Histone Acetyltransferase Downregulates p53 Activation and Facilitates Methylation at Lysine 27 on Histone H3

Tumor suppressor p53-directed apoptosis triggers loss of normal cells, which contributes to the side-effects from anticancer therapies. Thus, small molecules with potential to downregulate the activation of p53 could minimize pathology emerging from anticancer therapies. Acetylation of p53 by the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain is the hallmark of coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) epigenetic function. During genotoxic stress, CBP HAT-mediated acetylation is essential for the activation of p53 to transcriptionally govern target genes, which control cellular responses. Here, we present a small molecule, NiCur, which blocks CBP HAT activity and downregulates p53 activation upon genotoxic stress. Computational modeling reveals that NiCur docks into the active site of CBP HAT. On CDKN1A promoter, the recruitment of p53 as well as RNA Polymerase II and levels of acetylation on histone H3 were diminished by NiCur. Specifically, NiCur reduces the levels of acetylation at lysine 27 on histone H3, which concomitantly increases the levels of trimethylation at lysine 27. Finally, NiCur attenuates p53-directed apoptosis by inhibiting the Caspase 3 activity and cleavage of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in normal gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Collectively, NiCur demonstrates the potential to reprogram the chromatin landscape and modulate biological outcomes of CBP-mediated acetylation under normal and disease conditions.

Exploitation of EP300 and CREBBP Lysine Acetyltransferases by Cancer

p300 and CREB-binding protein (CBP), two homologous lysine acetyltransferases in metazoans, have a myriad of cellular functions. They exert their influence mainly through their roles as transcriptional regulators but also via nontranscriptional effects inside and outside of the nucleus on processes such as DNA replication and metabolism. The versatility of p300/CBP as molecular tools has led to their exploitation by viral oncogenes for cellular transformation and by cancer cells to achieve and maintain an oncogenic phenotype. How cancer cells use p300/CBP in their favor varies depending on the cellular context and is evident by the growing list of loss- and gain-of-function genetic alterations in p300 and CBP in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Here, we discuss the biological functions of p300/CBP and how disruption of these functions by mutations and alterations in expression or subcellular localization contributes to the cancer phenotype.

Human Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease (APE1) Is Acetylated at DNA Damage Sites in Chromatin, and Acetylation Modulates Its DNA Repair Activity

Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites, the most frequently formed DNA lesions in the genome, inhibit transcription and block replication. The primary enzyme that repairs AP sites in mammalian cells is the AP endonuclease (APE1), which functions through the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Although the mechanism by which APE1 repairs AP sites in vitro has been extensively investigated, it is largely unknown how APE1 repairs AP sites in cells. Here, we show that APE1 is acetylated (AcAPE1) after binding to the AP sites in chromatin and that AcAPE1 is exclusively present on chromatin throughout the cell cycle. Positive charges of acetylable lysine residues in the N-terminal domain of APE1 are essential for chromatin association. Acetylation-mediated neutralization of the positive charges of the lysine residues in the N-terminal domain of APE1 induces a conformational change; this in turn enhances the AP endonuclease activity of APE1. In the absence of APE1 acetylation, cells accumulated AP sites in the genome and showed higher sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. Thus, mammalian cells, unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Escherichia coli cells, require acetylation of APE1 for the efficient repair of AP sites and base damage in the genome. Our study reveals that APE1 acetylation is an integral part of the BER pathway for maintaining genomic integrity.

Competitive Inhibition of Lysine Acetyltransferase 2B by a Small Motif of the Adenoviral Oncoprotein E1A

The adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) oncoprotein hijacks host cells via direct interactions with many key cellular proteins, such as KAT2B, also known as PCAF (p300/CBP associated factor). E1A binds the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of KAT2B to repress its transcriptional activation. However, the molecular mechanism by which E1A inhibits the HAT activity is not known. Here we demonstrate that a short and relatively conserved N-terminal motif (cNM) in the intrinsically disordered E1A protein is crucial for KAT2B interaction, and inhibits its HAT activity through a direct competition with acetyl-CoA, but not its substrate histone H3. Molecular modeling together with a series of mutagenesis experiments suggests that the major helix of E1A cNM binds to a surface of the acetyl-CoA pocket of the KAT2B HAT domain. Moreover, transient expression of the cNM peptide is sufficient to inhibit KAT2B-specific H3 acetylation H3K14ac in vivo Together, our data define an essential motif cNM in N-terminal E1A as an acetyl-CoA entry blocker that directly associates with the entrance of acetyl-CoA binding pocket to block the HAT domain access to its cofactor.

Inhibitors of Histone Deacetylases Attenuate Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Loss of auditory sensory hair cells is the major pathological feature of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Currently, no established clinical therapies for prevention or amelioration of NIHL are available. The absence of treatments is due to our lack of a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying noise-induced damage. Our previous study indicates that epigenetic modification of histones alters hair cell survival. In this study, we investigated the effect of noise exposure on histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) in the inner ear of adult CBA/J mice and determined if inhibition of histone deacetylases by systemic administration of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) could attenuate NIHL. Our results showed that H3K9ac was decreased in the nuclei of outer hair cells (OHCs) and marginal cells of the stria vascularis in the basal region after exposure to a traumatic noise paradigm known to induce permanent threshold shifts (PTS). Consistent with these results, levels of histone deacetylases 1, 2, and 3 (HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3) were increased predominately in the nuclei of cochlear cells. Silencing of HDAC1, HDAC2, or HDAC3 with siRNA reduced the expression of the target HDAC in OHCs, but did not attenuate noise-induced PTS, whereas treatment with the pan-HDAC inhibitor SAHA, also named vorinostat, reduced OHC loss, and attenuated PTS. These findings suggest that histone acetylation is involved in the pathogenesis of noise-induced OHC death and hearing loss. Pharmacological targeting of histone deacetylases may afford a strategy for protection against NIHL.

Engineering Enhanced Vaccine Cell Lines To Eradicate Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: the Polio End Game

Vaccine manufacturing costs prevent a significant portion of the world's population from accessing protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. To enhance vaccine production at reduced costs, a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen was performed to identify gene knockdown events that enhanced poliovirus replication. Primary screen hits were validated in a Vero vaccine manufacturing cell line using attenuated and wild-type poliovirus strains. Multiple single and dual gene silencing events increased poliovirus titers >20-fold and >50-fold, respectively. Host gene knockdown events did not affect virus antigenicity, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9-mediated knockout of the top candidates dramatically improved viral vaccine strain production. Interestingly, silencing of several genes that enhanced poliovirus replication also enhanced replication of enterovirus 71, a clinically relevant virus to which vaccines are being targeted. The discovery that host gene modulation can markedly increase virus vaccine production dramatically alters mammalian cell-based vaccine manufacturing possibilities and should facilitate polio eradication using the inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

IMPORTANCE

Using a genome-wide RNAi screen, a collection of host virus resistance genes was identified that, upon silencing, increased poliovirus and enterovirus 71 production by from 10-fold to >50-fold in a Vero vaccine manufacturing cell line. This report provides novel insights into enterovirus-host interactions and describes an approach to developing the next generation of vaccine manufacturing through engineered vaccine cell lines. The results show that specific gene silencing and knockout events can enhance viral titers of both attenuated (Sabin strain) and wild-type polioviruses, a finding that should greatly facilitate global implementation of inactivated polio vaccine as well as further reduce costs for live-attenuated oral polio vaccines. This work describes a platform-enabling technology applicable to most vaccine-preventable diseases.

HSV-2 immediate-early protein US1 inhibits IFN-β production by suppressing association of IRF-3 with IFN-β promoter

HSV-2 is the major cause of genital herpes, and its infection increases the risk of HIV-1 acquisition and transmission. After initial infection, HSV-2 can establish latency within the nervous system and thus maintains lifelong infection in humans. It has been suggested that HSV-2 can inhibit type I IFN signaling, but the underlying mechanism has yet to be determined. In this study, we demonstrate that productive HSV-2 infection suppresses Sendai virus (SeV) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-induced IFN-β production. We further reveal that US1, an immediate-early protein of HSV-2, contributes to such suppression, showing that US1 inhibits IFN-β promoter activity and IFN-β production at both mRNA and protein levels, whereas US1 knockout significantly impairs such capability in the context of HSV-2 infection. US1 directly interacts with DNA binding domain of IRF-3, and such interaction suppresses the association of nuclear IRF-3 with the IRF-3 responsive domain of IFN-β promoter, resulting in the suppression of IFN-β promoter activation. Additional studies demonstrate that the 217-414 aa domain of US1 is critical for the suppression of IFN-β production. Our results indicate that HSV-2 US1 downmodulates IFN-β production by suppressing the association of IRF-3 with the IRF-3 responsive domain of IFN-β promoter. Our findings highlight the significance of HSV-2 US1 in inhibiting IFN-β production and provide insights into the molecular mechanism by which HSV-2 evades the host innate immunity, representing an unconventional strategy exploited by a dsDNA virus to interrupt type I IFN signaling pathway.

Acetylation of the c-MYC oncoprotein is required for cooperation with the HTLV-1 p30(II) accessory protein and the induction of oncogenic cellular transformation by p30(II)/c-MYC

The human T-cell leukemia retrovirus type-1 (HTLV-1) p30(II) protein is a multifunctional latency-maintenance factor that negatively regulates viral gene expression and deregulates host signaling pathways involved in aberrant T-cell growth and proliferation. We have previously demonstrated that p30(II) interacts with the c-MYC oncoprotein and enhances c-MYC-dependent transcriptional and oncogenic functions. However, the molecular and biochemical events that mediate the cooperation between p30(II) and c-MYC remain to be completely understood. Herein we demonstrate that p30(II) induces lysine-acetylation of the c-MYC oncoprotein. Acetylation-defective c-MYC Lys→Arg substitution mutants are impaired for oncogenic transformation with p30(II) in c-myc(-/-) HO15.19 fibroblasts. Using dual-chromatin-immunoprecipitations (dual-ChIPs), we further demonstrate that p30(II) is present in c-MYC-containing nucleoprotein complexes in HTLV-1-transformed HuT-102 T-lymphocytes. Moreover, p30(II) inhibits apoptosis in proliferating cells expressing c-MYC under conditions of genotoxic stress. These findings suggest that c-MYC-acetylation is required for the cooperation between p30(II)/c-MYC which could promote proviral replication and contribute to HTLV-1-induced carcinogenesis.

p53 Acetylation: Regulation and Consequences

Post-translational modifications of p53 are critical in modulating its tumor suppressive functions. Ubiquitylation, for example, plays a major role in dictating p53 stability, subcellular localization and transcriptional vs. non-transcriptional activities. Less is known about p53 acetylation. It has been shown to govern p53 transcriptional activity, selection of growth inhibitory vs. apoptotic gene targets, and biological outcomes in response to diverse cellular insults. Yet recent in vivo evidence from mouse models questions the importance of p53 acetylation (at least at certain sites) as well as canonical p53 functions (cell cycle arrest, senescence and apoptosis) to tumor suppression. This review discusses the cumulative findings regarding p53 acetylation, with a focus on the acetyltransferases that modify p53 and the mechanisms regulating their activity. We also evaluate what is known regarding the influence of other post-translational modifications of p53 on its acetylation, and conclude with the current outlook on how p53 acetylation affects tumor suppression. Due to redundancies in p53 control and growing understanding that individual modifications largely fine-tune p53 activity rather than switch it on or off, many questions still remain about the physiological importance of p53 acetylation to its role in preventing cancer.

Adenovirus small E1A employs the lysine acetylases p300/CBP and tumor suppressor Rb to repress select host genes and promote productive virus infection

Oncogenic transformation by adenovirus small e1a depends on simultaneous interactions with the host lysine acetylases p300/CBP and the tumor suppressor RB. How these interactions influence cellular gene expression remains unclear. We find that e1a displaces RBs from E2F transcription factors and promotes p300 acetylation of RB1 K873/K874 to lock it into a repressing conformation that interacts with repressive chromatin-modifying enzymes. These repressing p300-e1a-RB1 complexes specifically interact with host genes that have unusually high p300 association within the gene body. The TGF-β, TNF-, and interleukin-signaling pathway components are enriched among such p300-targeted genes. The p300-e1a-RB1 complex condenses chromatin in a manner dependent on HDAC activity, p300 lysine acetylase activity, the p300 bromodomain, and RB K873/K874 and e1a K239 acetylation to repress host genes that would otherwise inhibit productive virus infection. Thus, adenovirus employs e1a to repress host genes that interfere with viral replication.

Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) proteins in the adaptive immune system

The ability of adaptive immune system to protect higher vertebrates from pathogens resides in the ability of B and T cells to express different antigen specific receptors and to respond to different threats by activating distinct differentiation and/or activation pathways. In the past 10 years, the major role of epigenetics in controlling molecular mechanisms responsible for these peculiar features and, more in general, for lymphocyte development has become evident. KRAB-ZFPs is the widest family of mammalian transcriptional repressors, which function through the recruitment of the co-factor KRAB-Associated Protein 1 (KAP1) that in turn engages histone modifiers inducing heterochromatin formation. Although most of the studies on KRAB proteins have been performed in embryonic cells, more recent reports highlighted a relevant role for these proteins also in adult tissues. This article will review the role of KRAB-ZFP and KAP1 in the epigenetic control of mouse and human adaptive immune cells.

Prothymosin α overexpression contributes to the development of pulmonary emphysema

Emphysema is one of the disease conditions that comprise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Prothymosin α transgenic mice exhibit an emphysema phenotype, but the pathophysiological role of prothymosin α in emphysema remains unclear. Here we show that prothymosin α contributes to the pathogenesis of emphysema by increasing acetylation of histones and nuclear factor-kappaB, particularly upon cigarette smoke exposure. We find a positive correlation between prothymosin α levels and the severity of emphysema in prothymosin α transgenic mice and emphysema patients. Prothymosin α overexpression increases susceptibility to cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, and cigarette smoke exposure further enhances prothymosin α expression. We show that prothymosin α inhibits the association of histone deacetylases with histones and nuclear factor-kappaB, and that prothymosin α overexpression increases expression of nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9, which are found in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These results demonstrate the clinical relevance of prothymosin α in regulating acetylation events during the pathogenesis of emphysema.

Pulmonary emphysema obstruct airflow in the lung and often develop in smokers. Here Su et al. show that prothymosin α contributes to emphysema development through alterations in the acetylation of histones and the transcription factor NF-κB, and that exposure to cigarette smoke increases prothymosin α expression.

Zinc finger protein 451 is a novel Smad corepressor in transforming growth factor-β signaling

ZNF451 is a transcriptional cofactor localized to promyelocytic leukemia bodies. Here, we present evidence demonstrating that ZNF451 physically interacts with Smad3/4 and functionally inhibits TGF-β signaling. Increased expression of ZNF451 attenuates TGF-β-induced growth inhibitory and gene transcriptional responses, whereas depletion of ZNF451 enhances TGF-β responses. Mechanistically, ZNF451 blocks the ability of Smad3/4 to recruit p300 in response to TGF-β, which causes reduction of histone H3K9 acetylation on the promoters of TGF-β target genes. Taken together, ZNF451 acts as a transcriptional corepressor for Smad3/4 and negatively regulates TGF-β signaling.

FoxP3 acts as a cotranscription factor with STAT3 in tumor-induced regulatory T cells

FoxP3, a lineage-specification factor, executes its multiple activities mostly through transcriptional regulation of target genes. We identified an interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing FoxP3(+) T regulatory cell population that contributes to IL-10-dependent type 2 cytokine bias in breast-cancer patients. Although genetic ablation of FOXP3 inhibited IL10 transcription, genome-wide analysis ruled out its role as a transcription factor for IL10. In-depth analysis revealed that histone acetyl transterase-1, in association with FoxP3, modified the IL10 promoter epigenetically, making a space for docking STAT3-FoxP3 complexes. A predictive docking module with target-receptor specificity, along with exon-deletion and site-directed mutagenesis studies, showed that STAT3 binds through its N-terminal floppy domain to the exon 2 β sheet region of FoxP3 to form STAT3-FoxP3 complexes. Such cotranscriptional activity of FoxP3 extended to other STAT3-target genes that lack FoxP3-binding sites. These results suggest a function of FoxP3, where, failing to achieve direct promoter occupancy, FoxP3 promotes transcription in association with the locus-specific transcription factor STAT3.

Transcriptional/epigenetic regulator CBP/p300 in tumorigenesis: structural and functional versatility in target recognition

In eukaryotic cells, gene transcription is regulated by sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors that recognize promoter and enhancer elements near the transcriptional start site. Some coactivators promote transcription by connecting transcription factors to the basal transcriptional machinery. The highly conserved coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and its paralog, E1A-binding protein (p300), each have four separate transactivation domains (TADs) that interact with the TADs of a number of DNA-binding transcription activators as well as general transcription factors (GTFs), thus mediating recruitment of basal transcription machinery to the promoter. Most promoters comprise multiple activator-binding sites, and many activators contain tandem TADs, thus multivalent interactions may stabilize CBP/p300 at the promoter, and intrinsically disordered regions in CBP/p300 and many activators may confer adaptability to these multivalent complexes. CBP/p300 contains a catalytic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, which remodels chromatin to 'relax' its superstructure and enables transcription of proximal genes. The HAT activity of CBP/p300 also acetylates some transcription factors (e.g., p53), hence modulating the function of key transcriptional regulators. Through these numerous interactions, CBP/p300 has been implicated in complex physiological and pathological processes, and, in response to different signals, can drive cells towards proliferation or apoptosis. Dysregulation of the transcriptional and epigenetic functions of CBP/p300 is associated with leukemia and other types of cancer, thus it has been recognized as a potential anti-cancer drug target. In this review, we focus on recent exciting findings in the structural mechanisms of CBP/p300 involving multivalent and dynamic interactions with binding partners, which may pave new avenues for anti-cancer drug development.

The Krüppel-like protein Gli-similar 3 (Glis3) functions as a key regulator of insulin transcription

Transcriptional regulation of insulin in pancreatic β-cells is mediated primarily through enhancer elements located within the 5' upstream regulatory region of the preproinsulin gene. Recently, the Krüppel-like transcription factor, Gli-similar 3 (Glis3), was shown to bind the insulin (INS) promoter and positively influence insulin transcription. In this report, we examined in detail the synergistic activation of insulin transcription by Glis3 with coregulators, CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1), neuronal differentiation 1 (NeuroD1), and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A (MafA). Our data show that Glis3 expression, the binding of Glis3 to GlisBS, and its recruitment of CBP are required for optimal activation of the insulin promoter in pancreatic β-cells not only by Glis3, but also by Pdx1, MafA, and NeuroD1. Mutations in the GlisBS or small interfering RNA-directed knockdown of GLIS3 diminished insulin promoter activation by Pdx1, NeuroD1, and MafA, and neither Pdx1 nor MafA was able to stably associate with the insulin promoter when the GlisBS were mutated. In addition, a GlisBS mutation in the INS promoter implicated in the development of neonatal diabetes similarly abated activation by Pdx1, NeuroD1, and MafA that could be reversed by increased expression of exogenous Glis3. We therefore propose that recruitment of CBP/p300 by Glis3 provides a scaffold for the formation of a larger transcriptional regulatory complex that stabilizes the binding of Pdx1, NeuroD1, and MafA complexes to their respective binding sites within the insulin promoter. Taken together, these results indicate that Glis3 plays a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of insulin and may serve as an important therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes.

African swine fever virus controls the host transcription and cellular machinery of protein synthesis

Throughout a viral infection, the infected cell reprograms the gene expression pattern in order to establish a satisfactory antiviral response. African swine fever virus (ASFV), like other complex DNA viruses, sets up a number of strategies to evade the host's defense systems, such as apoptosis, inflammation and immune responses. The capability of the virus to persist in its natural hosts and in domestic pigs, which recover from infection with less virulent isolates, suggests that the virus displays effective mechanisms to escape host defense systems. ASFV has been described to regulate the activation of several transcription factors, thus regulating the activation of specific target genes during ASFV infection. Whereas some reports have concerned about anti-apoptotic ASFV genes and the molecular mechanisms by which ASFV interferes with inducible gene transcription and immune evasion, less is yet known regarding how ASFV regulates the translational machinery in infected cells, although a recent report has shown a mechanism for favored expression of viral genes based on compartmentalization of viral mRNA and ribosomes with cellular translation factors within the virus factory. The viral mechanisms involved both in the regulation of host genes transcription and in the control of cellular protein synthesis are summarized in this review.

Different regions of the HPV-E7 and Ad-E1A viral oncoproteins bind competitively but through distinct mechanisms to the CH1 transactivation domain of p300

p300 is a transcriptional coactivator that participates in many important processes in the cell, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The viral oncoproteins, adenovirus (Ad) E1A and human papillomavirus (HPV) E7, have been implicated in binding to p300. The Ad-E1A-p300 interaction has been shown to result in the induction of cellular proliferation, epigenetic reprogramming, and cellular transformation and cancer. The HPV-E7-p300 interaction, on the other hand, is not well understood. p300 contains three zinc-binding domains, CH1-CH3, and studies have shown that Ad-E1A can bind to the p300 CH1 and CH3 domains whereas E7 can bind to the CH1 domain and to a lesser extent to the CH2 and CH3 domains. Here we address how high-risk HPV16-E7 and Ad5-E1A, which have different structures, can both bind the p300 CH1 domain. Using pull-down, gel filtration, and analytical ultracentrifugation studies, we show that the N-terminus and CR1 domains of Ad5-E1A and the CR1 and CR2 domains of HPV16-E7 bind to the p300 CH1 domain competitively and with midnanomolar and low micromolar dissociation constants, respectively. We also show that Ad5-E1A can form a ternary complex with the p300 CH1 domain and the retinoblastoma pRb transcriptional repressor, whereas HPV16-E7 cannot. These studies suggest that the HPV16-E7 and Ad5-E1A viral oncoproteins bind to the same p300 CH1 domain to disrupt p300 function by distinct mechanisms.

Oncogene Ras/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling targets histone H3 acetylation at lysine 56

It is well established that the small GTPase Ras promotes tumor initiation by activating at least three different mediators: Raf, PI3K, and Ras-like (Ral) guanine nucleotide exchange factors. However, the exact mechanisms that underlie these different Ras signaling pathways, which are involved in tumor progression, remain to be elucidated. In this study, we report that the Ras-PI3K pathway, but not Raf or the Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors, specifically targets the acetylation of H3 at lysine 56 (H3K56ac), thereby regulating tumor cell activity. We demonstrate that the Ras-PI3K-induced reduction in H3K56ac is associated with the proliferation and migration of tumor cells by targeting the transcription of tumor-associated genes. The depletion of the histone deacetyltransferases Sirt1 and Sirt2 rescues the Ras-PI3K-induced decrease in H3K56ac, gene transcription, tumor cell proliferation, and tumor cell migration. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Ras-PI3K-AKT pathway regulates H3K56ac via the MDM2-dependent degradation of CREB-binding protein/p300. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the Ras-PI3K signaling pathway targets specific epigenetic modifications in tumor cells.

The adenovirus E1A N-terminal repression domain represses transcription from a chromatin template in vitro

The adenovirus repression domain of E1A 243R at the E1A N-terminus (E1A 1-80) transcriptionally represses genes involved in differentiation and cell cycle progression. E1A 1-80 represses transcription in vitro from naked DNA templates through its interaction with p300 and TFIID. E1A 1-80 can also interact with several chromatin remodeling factors and associates with chromatin in vivo. We show here that E1A 243R and E1A 1-80 can repress transcription from a reconstituted chromatin template in vitro. Temporal analysis reveals strong repression by E1A 1-80 when added at pre-activation, activation and early transcription stages. Interestingly, E1A 1-80 can greatly enhance transcription from chromatin templates, but not from naked DNA, when added at pre-initiation complex (PIC) formation and transcription-initiation stages. These data reveal a new dimension for E1A 1-80's interface with chromatin and may reflect its interaction with key players in PIC formation, p300 and TFIID, and/or possibly a role in chromatin remodeling.

The HTLV-1-encoded protein HBZ directly inhibits the acetyl transferase activity of p300/CBP

The homologous cellular coactivators p300 and CBP contain intrinsic lysine acetyl transferase (termed HAT) activity. This activity is responsible for acetylation of several sites on the histones as well as modification of transcription factors. In a previous study, we found that HBZ, encoded by the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1), binds to multiple domains of p300/CBP, including the HAT domain. In this study, we found that HBZ inhibits the HAT activity of p300/CBP through the bZIP domain of the viral protein. This effect correlated with a reduction of H3K18 acetylation, a specific target of p300/CBP, in cells expressing HBZ. Interestingly, lower levels of H3K18 acetylation were detected in HTLV-1 infected cells compared to non-infected cells. The inhibitory effect of HBZ was not limited to histones, as HBZ also inhibited acetylation of the NF-κB subunit, p65, and the tumor suppressor, p53. Recent studies reported that mutations in the HAT domain of p300/CBP that cause a defect in acetylation are found in certain types of leukemia. These observations suggest that inhibition of the HAT activity by HBZ is important for the development of adult T-cell leukemia associated with HTLV-1 infection.

Osterix is regulated by Erk1/2 during osteoblast differentiation

Osterix (Osx) is a novel zinc finger-containing transcription factor that is essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in bone homeostasis. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a group of evolutionarily conserved proline-directed protein serine/threonine kinases that are activated in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli and mediate signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. Erk1/2 plays essential roles in osteoblast differentiation and in supporting osteoclastogenesis, but the precise molecular signaling mechanisms between Osterix and Erk1/2 are not known. We therefore focused on the relationship between Osterix and Erk1/2 during osteoblast differentiation because BMP signaling induces Erk activation in osteoblasts. We investigated the role of the MAPK pathway in regulating protein levels and transcriptional functions of Osterix. We found that Erk activation by overexpression of constitutively active MEK increased the mRNA and protein levels of Osterix and enhanced the transcriptional activity of Osterix, whereas U0126, an inhibitor of MEK, suppressed the protein levels of Osterix and the transcriptional activity. Also, overexpression of constitutively active MEK stabilized Osterix protein. These results suggest that Erk1/2 regulates a major transcription factor, Osterix, during osteoblast differentiation by increasing its protein stability and transcriptional activity.

Beta-HPV 5 and 8 E6 promote p300 degradation by blocking AKT/p300 association

The E6 oncoprotein from high-risk genus alpha human papillomaviruses (α-HPVs), such as HPV 16, has been well characterized with respect to the host-cell proteins it interacts with and corresponding signaling pathways that are disrupted due to these interactions. Less is known regarding the interacting partners of E6 from the genus beta papillomaviruses (β-HPVs); however, it is generally thought that β-HPV E6 proteins do not interact with many of the proteins known to bind to α-HPV E6. Here we identify p300 as a protein that interacts directly with E6 from both α- and β-HPV types. Importantly, this association appears much stronger with β-HPV types 5 and 8-E6 than with α-HPV type 16-E6 or β-HPV type 38-E6. We demonstrate that the enhanced association between 5/8-E6 and p300 leads to p300 degradation in a proteasomal-dependent but E6AP-independent manner. Rather, 5/8-E6 inhibit the association of AKT with p300, an event necessary to ensure p300 stability within the cell. Finally, we demonstrate that the decreased p300 protein levels concomitantly affect downstream signaling events, such as the expression of differentiation markers K1, K10 and Involucrin. Together, these results demonstrate a unique way in which β-HPV E6 proteins are able to affect host-cell signaling in a manner distinct from that of the α-HPVs.

RANKL induces NFATc1 acetylation and stability via histone acetyltransferases during osteoclast differentiation

NFATc1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1), a key transcription factor, plays a role in regulating expression of osteoclast-specific downstream target genes such as TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) and OSCAR (osteoclast-associated receptor). It has been shown that RANKL [receptor activator of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) ligand] induces NFATc1 expression during osteoclastogenesis at a transcriptional level. In the present study, we demonstrate that RANKL increases NFATc1 protein levels by post-translational modification. RANKL stimulates NFATc1 acetylation via HATs (histone acetyltransferases), such as p300 and PCAF [p300/CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein-associated factor], thereby stabilizing NFATc1 proteins. PCAF physically interacts with NFATc1 and directly induces NFATc1 acetylation and stability, subsequently increasing the transcriptional activity of NFATc1. In addition, RANKL-mediated NFATc1 acetylation is increased by the HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors sodium butyrate and scriptaid. Overexpression of HDAC5 reduces RANKL- or PCAF-mediated NFATc1 acetylation, stability and transactivation activity, suggesting that the balance between HAT and HDAC activities might play a role in the regulation of NFATc1 levels. Furthermore, RANKL and p300 induce PCAF acetylation and stability, thereby enhancing the transcriptional activity of NFATc1. Down-regulation of PCAF by siRNA (small interfering RNA) decreases NFATc1 acetylation and stability, as well as RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that RANKL induces HAT-mediated NFATc1 acetylation and stability, and subsequently increases the transcriptional activity of NFATc1 during osteoclast differentiation.

Epigenetic modulation of host: new insights into immune evasion by viruses

Viruses have evolved with their hosts, which include all living species. This has been partly responsible for the development of highly advanced immune systems in the hosts. However, viruses too have evolved ways to regulate and evade the host's immune defence. In addition to mutational mechanisms that viruses employ to mimic the host genome and undergo latency to evade the host's recognition of the pathogen, they have also developed epigenetic mechanisms by which they can render the host's immune responses inactive to their antigens. The epigenetic regulation of gene expression is intrinsically active inside the host and is involved in regulating gene expression and cellular differentiation. Viral immune evasion strategies are an area of major concern in modern biomedical research. Immune evasion strategies may involve interference with the host antigen presentation machinery or host immune gene expression capabilities, and viruses, in these manners, introduce and propagate infection. The aim of this review is to elucidate the various epigenetic changes that viruses are capable of bringing about in their host in order to enhance their own survivability and pathogenesis.

Hepatitis D virus: an update

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection involves a distinct subgroup of individuals simultaneously infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and characterized by an often severe chronic liver disease. HDV is a defective RNA agent needing the presence of HBV for its life cycle. HDV is present worldwide, but the distribution pattern is not uniform. Different strains are classified into eight genotypes represented in specific regions and associated with peculiar disease outcome. Two major specific patterns of infection can occur, i.e. co-infection with HDV and HBV or HDV superinfection of a chronic HBV carrier. Co-infection often leads to eradication of both agents, whereas superinfection mostly evolves to HDV chronicity. HDV-associated chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis D) is characterized by necro-inflammation and relentless deposition of fibrosis, which may, over decades, result in the development of cirrhosis. HDV has a single-stranded, circular RNA genome. The virion is composed of an envelope, provided by the helper HBV and surrounding the RNA genome and the HDV antigen (HDAg). Replication occurs in the hepatocyte nucleus using cellular polymerases and via a rolling circle process, during which the RNA genome is copied into a full-length, complementary RNA. HDV infection can be diagnosed by the presence of antibodies directed against HDAg (anti-HD) and HDV RNA in serum. Treatment involves the administration of pegylated interferon-α and is effective in only about 20% of patients. Liver transplantation is indicated in case of liver failure.

Acetylation-deacetylation of the transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) regulates its transcriptional activity and nucleocytoplasmic localization

Activation of Nrf2 by covalent modifications that release it from its inhibitor protein Keap1 has been extensively documented. In contrast, covalent modifications that may regulate its action after its release from Keap1 have received little attention. Here we show that CREB-binding protein induced acetylation of Nrf2, increased binding of Nrf2 to its cognate response element in a target gene promoter, and increased Nrf2-dependent transcription from target gene promoters. Heterologous sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) decreased acetylation of Nrf2 as well as Nrf2-dependent gene transcription, and its effects were overridden by dominant negative SIRT1 (SIRT1-H355A). The SIRT1-selective inhibitors EX-527 and nicotinamide stimulated Nrf2-dependent gene transcription, whereas resveratrol, a putative activator of SIRT1, was inhibitory, mimicking the effect of SIRT1. Mutating lysine to alanine or to arginine at Lys(588) and Lys(591) of Nrf2 resulted in decreased Nrf2-dependent gene transcription and abrogated the transcription-activating effect of CREB-binding protein. Furthermore, SIRT1 had no effect on transcription induced by these mutants, indicating that these sites are acetylation sites. Microscope imaging of GFP-Nrf2 in HepG2 cells as well as immunoblotting for Nrf2 showed that acetylation conditions resulted in increased nuclear localization of Nrf2, whereas deacetylation conditions enhanced its cytoplasmic rather than its nuclear localization. We posit that Nrf2 in the nucleus undergoes acetylation, resulting in binding, with basic-region leucine zipper protein(s), to the antioxidant response element and consequently in gene transcription, whereas deacetylation disengages it from the antioxidant response element, thereby resulting in transcriptional termination and subsequently in its nuclear export.

BMP2-activated Erk/MAP kinase stabilizes Runx2 by increasing p300 levels and histone acetyltransferase activity

Runx2 is a critical transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation. Regulation of Runx2 expression levels and transcriptional activity is important for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced osteoblast differentiation. Previous studies have shown that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activation enhances the transcriptional activity of Runx2 and that BMP-induced Runx2 acetylation increases Runx2 stability and transcriptional activity. Because BMP signaling induces Erk activation in osteoblasts, we sought to investigate whether BMP-induced Erk signaling regulates Runx2 acetylation and stability. Erk activation by overexpression of constitutively active MEK1 increased Runx2 transcriptional activity, whereas U0126, an inhibitor of MEK1/2, suppressed basal Runx2 transcriptional activity and BMP-induced Runx2 acetylation and stabilization. Overexpression of constitutively active MEK1 stabilized Runx2 protein via up-regulation of acetylation and down-regulation of ubiquitination. Erk activation increased p300 protein levels and histone acetyltransferase activity. Knockdown of p300 using siRNA diminished Erk-induced Runx2 stabilization. Overexpression of Smad5 increased Runx2 acetylation and stabilization. Erk activation further increased Smad-induced Runx2 acetylation and stabilization, whereas U0126 suppressed these functions. On the other hand, knockdown of Smad1 and Smad5 by siRNA suppressed both basal and Erk-induced Runx2 protein levels. Erk activation enhanced the association of Runx2 with p300 and Smad1. Taken together these results indicate that Erk signaling increases Runx2 stability and transcriptional activity, partly via increasing p300 protein levels and histone acetyltransferase activity and subsequently increasing Runx2 acetylation by p300. In addition to the canonical Smad pathway, a BMP-induced non-Smad Erk signaling pathway cooperatively regulates osteoblast differentiation partly via increasing the stability and transcriptional activity of Runx2.

Transcriptional synergy between melanoma antigen gene protein-A11 (MAGE-11) and p300 in androgen receptor signaling

Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated gene regulation involves interactions with coregulatory proteins that include the melanoma antigen gene protein-A11 (MAGE-11). To understand the functional significance of sequence similarity between MAGE-11 and the adenovirus early protein E1A, we determined whether MAGE-11 contributes to AR transcriptional activity through an interaction with p300, a potent and ubiquitous transcriptional regulator. Here, we report that MAGE-11 interacts with the NH(2)-terminal region of p300 through the MAGE-11 MXXIF motif (185)MXXIF(189), with transcriptional activity depending on the MAGE-11 F-box and MAPK phosphorylation. The MAGE-11- and p300-dependent increase in AR transactivation required the NH(2)-terminal regions of AR and p300, p300 acetyltransferase activity, and the AR FXXLF motif (23)FQNLF(27) interaction with MAGE-11. MAGE-11 linked AR to p300 and the p160 coactivator, transcriptional intermediary protein 2 (TIF2). The p300 NH(2)-terminal FXXLF motif (33)FGSLF(37) was required for transcriptional activation by TIF2. Increased expression of p300 decreased the ubiquitinylation of MAGE-11 and transiently increased endogenous MAGE-11 levels. Autoacetylation of p300 and decreased acetylation of TIF2 were evident in the MAGE-11, p300, and TIF2 complex. The studies suggest that MAGE-11 links NH(2)-terminal domains of AR and p300 to promote transcriptional synergy through a cadre of FXXLF-related interacting motifs.

Complex regulation of the transactivation function of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha by direct interaction with two distinct domains of the CREB-binding protein/p300

Activation of transcription in response to low oxygen tension is mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 is a heterodimer of two proteins: aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator and the oxygen-regulated HIF-1 alpha. The C-terminal activation domain of HIF-1 alpha has been shown to interact with cysteine/histidine-rich region 1 (CH1) of the coactivator CBP/p300 in a hypoxia-dependent manner. However, HIF forms lacking C-terminal activation domain (naturally occurring or genetically engineered) are still able to activate transcription of target genes in hypoxia. Here, we demonstrate that the N-terminal activation domain (N-TAD) of HIF-1 alpha interacts with endogenous CBP and that this interaction facilitates its transactivation function. Our results show that interaction of HIF-1 alpha N-TAD with CBP/p300 is mediated by the CH3 region of CBP known to interact with, among other factors, p53. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments, we demonstrate that N-TAD interacts with CH3 in vivo. Coimmunoprecipitation assays using endogenous proteins showed that immunoprecipitation of CBP in hypoxia results in the recovery of a larger fraction of HIF-1 alpha than of p53. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that at 1% O(2) CBP is recruited to a HIF-1 alpha but not to a p53 target gene. Upon activation of both pathways, lower levels of chromatin-associated CBP were detected at either target gene promoter. These results identify CBP as the coactivator directly interacting with HIF-1 alpha N-TAD and mediating the transactivation function of this domain. Thus, we suggest that in hypoxia HIF-1 alpha is a major CBP-interacting transcription factor that may compete with other CBP-dependent factors, including p53, for limiting amounts of this coactivator, underscoring the complexity in the regulation of gene expression by HIF-1 alpha.

Chromatin remodeling and nuclear receptor signaling

Nuclear receptors (NRs) constitute a large family of ligand-dependent transcription factors that play key roles in development, differentiation, metabolism, and homeostasis. They participate in these processes by coordinating and regulating the expression of their target genes. The eukaryotic genome is packaged as chromatin and is generally inhibitory to the process of transcription. NRs overcome this barrier by recruiting two classes of chromatin remodelers, histone modifying enzymes and ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. These remodelers alter chromatin structure at target gene promoters by posttranslational modification of histone tails and by disrupting DNA-histone interactions, respectively. In the presence of ligand, NRs promote transcription by recruiting remodeling enzymes that increase promoter accessibility to the basal transcription machinery. In the absence of ligand a subset of NRs recruit remodelers that establish and maintain a closed chromatin environment, to ensure efficient gene silencing. This chapter reviews the chromatin remodeling enzymes associated with NR gene control, with an emphasis on the mechanisms of NR-mediated repression.

The transactivating effect of HSV-1 ICP0 is enhanced by its interaction with the PCAF component of histone acetyltransferase

ICP0 is a multifunctional protein that plays diverse roles in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. It can promote the lytic replication of HSV-1 and activate a variety of viral or cellular genes when introduced into cells by transfection or infection. However, the exact mechanism of ICP0 action is not fully understood. In the present study, we observed the co-localization of ICP0 and PCAF (P300/CBP-associated factor), a component of histone acetyltransferase (HAT), in the ND10 (nuclear dot 10) nuclear body. We further confirmed the interaction between ICP0 and PCAF via yeast two-hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation, and histone acetyltransferase assays. Analysis of the functional significance of this interaction suggested that PCAF improved the ability of ICP0 to activate transcription of viral genes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we observed ICP0-enhanced histone acetylation levels in both viral and cellular gene promoters. Our study suggests that ICP0 regulates transcription through specific interaction with PCAF.