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Mohanty S, Suklabaidya S, Lavorgna A, Ueno T, Fujisawa JI, Ngouth N, Jacobson S, Harhaj EW. The tyrosine kinase KDR is essential for the survival of HTLV-1-infected T cells by stabilizing the Tax oncoprotein. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5380. [PMID: 38918393 PMCID: PMC11199648 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49737-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is linked to the development of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and the neuroinflammatory disease, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein regulates viral gene expression and persistently activates NF-κB to maintain the viability of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Here, we utilize a kinome-wide shRNA screen to identify the tyrosine kinase KDR as an essential survival factor of HTLV-1-transformed cells. Inhibition of KDR specifically induces apoptosis of Tax expressing HTLV-1-transformed cell lines and CD4 + T cells from HAM/TSP patients. Furthermore, inhibition of KDR triggers the autophagic degradation of Tax resulting in impaired NF-κB activation and diminished viral transmission in co-culture assays. Tax induces the expression of KDR, forms a complex with KDR, and is phosphorylated by KDR. These findings suggest that Tax stability is dependent on KDR activity which could be exploited as a strategy to target Tax in HTLV-1-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchitra Mohanty
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College School of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Sujit Suklabaidya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College School of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Alfonso Lavorgna
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Millipore-Sigma, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Takaharu Ueno
- Department of Microbiology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Nyater Ngouth
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven Jacobson
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Edward W Harhaj
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College School of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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2
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Mohanty S, Harhaj EW. Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by HTLV-1 Tax. Pathogens 2020; 9:E543. [PMID: 32645846 PMCID: PMC7399876 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a neoplasm of CD4+CD25+ T cells that occurs in 2-5% of infected individuals after decades of asymptomatic latent infection. Multiple HTLV-1-encoded regulatory proteins, including Tax and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ), play key roles in viral persistence and latency. The HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein interacts with a plethora of host cellular proteins to regulate viral gene expression and also promote the aberrant activation of signaling pathways such as NF-κB to drive clonal proliferation and survival of T cells bearing the HTLV-1 provirus. Tax undergoes various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination that regulate its function and subcellular localization. Tax shuttles in different subcellular compartments for the activation of anti-apoptotic genes and deregulates the cell cycle with the induction of DNA damage for the accumulation of genomic instability that can result in cellular immortalization and malignant transformation. However, Tax is highly immunogenic and therefore HTLV-1 has evolved numerous strategies to tightly regulate Tax expression while maintaining the pool of anti-apoptotic genes through HBZ. In this review, we summarize the key findings on the oncogenic mechanisms used by Tax that set the stage for the development of ATLL, and the strategies used by HTLV-1 to tightly regulate Tax expression for immune evasion and viral persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward W. Harhaj
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
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3
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Araújo THA, Barreto FK, Menezes ADL, Lima CPSD, Oliveira RSD, Lemos PDS, Galvão-Castro B, Kashima S, Farre L, Bittencourt AL, Carvalho EMD, Santos LA, Rego FFDA, Mota-Miranda ACA, Nunes MRT, Alcântara LCJ. Complete genome sequence of human T-cell lymphotropic type 1 from patients with different clinical profiles, including infective dermatitis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 79:104166. [PMID: 31883457 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The HTLV-1 is the first human retrovirus and is associated with several clinical syndromes, however, the pathogenesis of these clinical manifestations is still not fully understood. Furthermore, there are few complete genomes publicly available, about 0.12 complete genomes per 10,000 infected individuals and the databases have a major deficiency of sequences information. This study generated and characterized 31 HTLV-1 complete genomes sequences derived from individuals with Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy (TSP/HAM), Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), infective dermatitis associated to HTLV-1 (IDH) and asymptomatic patients. These sequences are associated to clinical and epidemiological information about the patients. The sequencing data generated on Ion Torrent PGM platform were assembled and mapped against the reference HTLV-1 genome. These sequences were genotyped as Cosmopolitan subtype, Transcontinental subgroup. We identified the variants in the coding regions of the genome of the different clinical profiles, however, no statistical relation was detected. This study contributed to increase of HTLV-1 complete genomes in the world. Furthermore, to better investigate the contribution of HTLV-1 mutations for the disease outcome it is necessary to evaluate the interaction of the viral genome and characteristics of the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lourdes Farre
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil; Catalan Institute of Oncology, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Luciane Amorim Santos
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública Salvador, Brazil
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Roles of HTLV-1 basic Zip Factor (HBZ) in Viral Chronicity and Leukemic Transformation. Potential New Therapeutic Approaches to Prevent and Treat HTLV-1-Related Diseases. Viruses 2015; 7:6490-505. [PMID: 26690203 PMCID: PMC4690875 DOI: 10.3390/v7122952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
More than thirty years have passed since human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was described as the first retrovirus to be the causative agent of a human cancer, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), but the precise mechanism behind HTLV-1 pathogenesis still remains elusive. For more than two decades, the transforming ability of HTLV-1 has been exclusively associated to the viral transactivator Tax. Thirteen year ago, we first reported that the minus strand of HTLV-1 encoded for a basic Zip factor factor (HBZ), and since then several teams have underscored the importance of this antisense viral protein for the maintenance of a chronic infection and the proliferation of infected cells. More recently, we as well as others have demonstrated that HBZ has the potential to transform cells both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we focus on the latest progress in our understanding of HBZ functions in chronicity and cellular transformation. We will discuss the involvement of this paradigm shift of HTLV-1 research on new therapeutic approaches to treat HTLV-1-related human diseases.
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5
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Identification and characterization of HTLV-1 HBZ post-translational modifications. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112762. [PMID: 25389759 PMCID: PMC4229220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is estimated to infect 15–25 million people worldwide, with several areas including southern Japan and the Caribbean basin being endemic. The virus is the etiological agent of debilitating and fatal diseases, for which there is currently no long-term cure. In the majority of cases of leukemia caused by HTLV-1, only a single viral gene, hbz, and its cognate protein, HBZ, are expressed and their importance is increasingly being recognized in the development of HTLV-1-associated disease. We hypothesized that HBZ, like other HTLV-1 proteins, has properties and functions regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that affect specific signaling pathways important for disease development. To date, PTM of HBZ has not been described. We used an affinity-tagged protein and mass spectrometry method to identify seven modifications of HBZ for the first time. We examined how these PTMs affected the ability of HBZ to modulate several pathways, as measured using luciferase reporter assays. Herein, we report that none of the identified PTMs affected HBZ stability or its regulation of tested pathways.
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Medina F, Quintremil S, Alberti C, Barriga A, Cartier L, Puente J, Ramírez E, Ferreira A, Tanaka Y, Valenzuela MA. Tax posttranslational modifications and interaction with calreticulin in MT-2 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human T cell lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis patients. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014; 30:370-9. [PMID: 24321043 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The human retrovirus human T cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Axonal degeneration in HAM/TSP patients occurs without neuron infection, with the secreted viral Tax protein proposed to be involved. We previously found that Tax secreted into the culture medium of MT-2 cells (HTLV-1-infected cell line) produced neurite retraction in neuroblastoma cells differentiated to neuronal type. To assess the relevance of Tax posttranslational modifications on this effect, we addressed the question of whether Tax secreted by MT-2 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HTLV-1-infected subjects is modified. The interaction of Tax with calreticulin (CRT) that modulates intracellular Tax localization and secretion has been described. We studied Tax localization and modifications in MT-2 cells and its interaction with CRT. Intracellular Tax in MT-2 cells was assessed by flow cytometry, corresponding mainly to a 71-kDa protein followed by western blot. This protein reported as a chimera with gp21 viral protein-confirmed by mass spectrometry-showed no ubiquitination or SUMOylation. The Tax-CRT interaction was determined by confocal microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation. Extracellular Tax from HAM/TSP PBMCs is ubiquitinated according to western blot, and its interaction with CRT was shown by coimmunoprecipitation. A positive correlation between Tax and CRT secretion was observed in HAM/TSP PBMCs and asymptomatic carriers. For both proteins inhibitors and activators of secretion showed secretion through the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex. Tax, present in PBMC culture medium, produced neurite retraction in differentiated neuroblastoma cells. These results suggest that Tax, whether ubiquitinated or not, is active for neurite retraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Medina
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Quintremil
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Alberti
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andres Barriga
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Cartier
- Departamento de Ciencias Neurológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javier Puente
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eugenio Ramírez
- Programa de Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, and Departamento de Virología, ISP, Santiago, Chile
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Programa de Inmunologia, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yuetsu Tanaka
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School and Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Maria Antonieta Valenzuela
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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HSP90 protects the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) tax oncoprotein from proteasomal degradation to support NF-κB activation and HTLV-1 replication. J Virol 2013; 87:13640-54. [PMID: 24109220 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02006-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The HTLV-1 genome encodes the Tax protein that plays essential regulatory roles in HTLV-1 replication and oncogenic transformation of T lymphocytes. Despite intensive study of Tax, how Tax interfaces with host signaling pathways to regulate virus replication and drive T-cell proliferation and immortalization remains poorly understood. To gain new insight into the mechanisms of Tax function and regulation, we used tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry to identify novel cellular Tax-interacting proteins. This screen identified heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) as a new binding partner of Tax. The interaction between HSP90 and Tax was validated by coimmunoprecipitation assays, and colocalization between the two proteins was observed by confocal microscopy. Treatment of HTLV-1-transformed cells with the HSP90 inhibitor 17-DMAG elicited proteasomal degradation of Tax in the nuclear matrix with concomitant inhibition of NF-κB and HTLV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) activation. Knockdown of HSP90 by lentiviral shRNAs similarly provoked a loss of Tax protein in HTLV-1-transformed cells. Finally, treatment of HTLV-1-transformed cell lines with 17-DMAG suppressed HTLV-1 replication and promoted apoptotic cell death. Taken together, our results reveal that Tax is a novel HSP90 client protein and HSP90 inhibitors may exert therapeutic benefits for ATL and HAM/TSP patients.
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Forlani G, Abdallah R, Accolla RS, Tosi G. The MHC-II transactivator CIITA, a restriction factor against oncogenic HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 retroviruses: similarities and differences in the inhibition of Tax-1 and Tax-2 viral transactivators. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:234. [PMID: 23986750 PMCID: PMC3749491 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of CD4(+) T helper cells is strictly dependent on the presentation of antigenic peptides by MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules. MHC-II expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by the AIR-1 gene product CIITA (class II transactivator). Thus, CIITA plays a pivotal role in the triggering of the adaptive immune response against pathogens. Besides this well known function, we recently found that CIITA acts as an endogenous restriction factor against HTLV-1 (human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1) and HTLV-2 oncogenic retroviruses by targeting their viral transactivators Tax-1 and Tax-2, respectively. Here we review our findings on CIITA-mediated inhibition of viral replication and discuss similarities and differences in the molecular mechanisms by which CIITA specifically counteracts the function of Tax-1 and Tax-2 molecules. The dual function of CIITA as a key regulator of adaptive and intrinsic immunity represents a rather unique example of adaptation of host-derived factors against pathogen infections during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberto S. Accolla
- Laboratory of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of InsubriaVarese, Italy
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9
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Shirinian M, Kfoury Y, Dassouki Z, El-Hajj H, Bazarbachi A. Tax-1 and Tax-2 similarities and differences: focus on post-translational modifications and NF-κB activation. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:231. [PMID: 23966989 PMCID: PMC3744011 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although human T cell leukemia virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) share similar genetic organization, they have major differences in their pathogenesis and disease manifestation. HTLV-1 is capable of transforming T lymphocytes in infected patients resulting in adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma whereas HTLV-2 is not clearly associated with lymphoproliferative diseases. Numerous studies have provided accumulating evidence on the involvement of the viral transactivators Tax-1 versus Tax-2 in T cell transformation. Tax-1 is a potent transcriptional activator of both viral and cellular genes. Tax-1 post-translational modifications and specifically ubiquitylation and SUMOylation have been implicated in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation and may contribute to its transformation capacity. Although Tax-2 has similar protein structure compared to Tax-1, the two proteins display differences both in their protein–protein interaction and activation of signal transduction pathways. Recent studies on Tax-2 have suggested ubiquitylation and SUMOylation independent mechanisms of NF-κB activation. In this present review, structural and functional differences between Tax-1 and Tax-2 will be summarized. Specifically, we will address their subcellular localization, nuclear trafficking and their effect on cellular regulatory proteins. A special attention will be given to Tax-1/Tax-2 post-translational modification such as ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, NF-κB activation, and protein–protein interactions involved in oncogenecity both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margret Shirinian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
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10
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Lodewick J, Sampaio C, Boxus M, Rinaldi AS, Coulonval K, Willems L, Roger PP, Bex F. Acetylation at lysine 346 controls the transforming activity of the HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein in the Rat-1 fibroblast model. Retrovirology 2013; 10:75. [PMID: 23880157 PMCID: PMC3734113 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-10-75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transformation by the Tax oncoprotein of the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is governed by actions on cellular regulatory signals, including modulation of specific cellular gene expression via activation of signaling pathways, acceleration of cell cycle progression via stimulation of cyclin-dependent kinase activity leading to retinoblastoma protein (pRb) hyperphosphorylation and perturbation of survival signals. These actions control early steps in T cell transformation and development of Adult T cell leukemia (ATL), an aggressive malignancy of HTLV-1 infected T lymphocytes. Post-translational modifications of Tax by phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation and acetylation have been implicated in Tax-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway, a key function associated with Tax transforming potential. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrate that acetylation at lysine K(346) in the carboxy-terminal domain of Tax is modulated in the Tax nuclear bodies by the acetyltransferase p300 and the deacetylases HDAC5/7 and controls phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor pRb by Tax-cyclin D3-CDK4-p21(CIP) complexes. This property correlates with the inability of the acetylation deficient K(346)R mutant, but not the acetylation mimetic K(346)Q mutant, to promote anchorage-independent growth of Rat-1 fibroblasts. By contrast, acetylation at lysine K(346) had no effects on the ability of Tax carboxy-terminal PDZ-binding domain to interact with the tumor suppressor hDLG. CONCLUSIONS The identification of the acetyltransferase p300 and the deacetylase HDAC7 as enzymes modulating Tax acetylation points to new therapeutic targets for the treatment of HTLV-1 infected patients at risk of developing ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lodewick
- Institute for Microbiological Research J-M Wiame (IRMW), Laboratory of Microbiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1, Avenue E, Gryson, Brussels, Belgium
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Chan CP, Siu YT, Kok KH, Ching YP, Tang HMV, Jin DY. Group I p21-activated kinases facilitate Tax-mediated transcriptional activation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 long terminal repeats. Retrovirology 2013; 10:47. [PMID: 23622267 PMCID: PMC3651266 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-10-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia and tropical spastic paraparesis. HTLV-1 encodes transactivator protein Tax that interacts with various cellular factors to modulate transcription and other biological functions. Additional cellular mediators of Tax-mediated transcriptional activation of HTLV-1 long terminal repeats (LTR) remain to be identified and characterized. Results In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of group I p21-activated kinases (Paks) in Tax-induced LTR activation. Both wild-type and kinase-dead mutants of Pak3 were capable of potentiating the activity of Tax to activate LTR transcription. The effect of Paks on the LTR was attributed to the N-terminal regulatory domain and required the action of CREB, CREB-regulating transcriptional coactivators (CRTCs) and p300/CREB-binding protein. Paks physically associated with Tax and CRTCs. Paks were recruited to the LTR in the presence of Tax. siRNAs against either Pak1 or Pak3 prevented the interaction of Tax with CRTC1 and the recruitment of Tax to the LTR. These siRNAs also inhibited LTR-dependent transcription in HTLV-1-transformed MT4 cells and in cells transfected with an infectious clone of HTLV-1. Conclusion Group I Paks augment Tax-mediated transcriptional activation of HTLV-1 LTR in a kinase-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ping Chan
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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Human T cell leukemia virus type 2 tax-mediated NF-κB activation involves a mechanism independent of Tax conjugation to ubiquitin and SUMO. J Virol 2012; 87:1123-36. [PMID: 23135727 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01792-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Permanent activation of the NF-κB pathway by the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax (Tax1) viral transactivator is a key event in the process of HTLV-1-induced T lymphocyte immortalization and leukemogenesis. Although encoding a Tax transactivator (Tax2) that activates the canonical NF-κB pathway, HTLV-2 does not cause leukemia. These distinct pathological outcomes might be related, at least in part, to distinct NF-κB activation mechanisms. Tax1 has been shown to be both ubiquitinated and SUMOylated, and these two modifications were originally proposed to be required for Tax1-mediated NF-κB activation. Tax1 ubiquitination allows recruitment of the IKK-γ/NEMO regulatory subunit of the IKK complex together with Tax1 into centrosome/Golgi-associated cytoplasmic structures, followed by activation of the IKK complex and RelA/p65 nuclear translocation. Herein, we compared the ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and acetylation patterns of Tax2 and Tax1. We show that, in contrast to Tax1, Tax2 conjugation to endogenous ubiquitin and SUMO is barely detectable while both proteins are acetylated. Importantly, Tax2 is neither polyubiquitinated on lysine residues nor ubiquitinated on its N-terminal residue. Consistent with these observations, Tax2 conjugation to ubiquitin and Tax2-mediated NF-κB activation is not affected by overexpression of the E2 conjugating enzyme Ubc13. We further demonstrate that a nonubiquitinable, non-SUMOylable, and nonacetylable Tax2 mutant retains a significant ability to activate transcription from a NF-κB-dependent promoter after partial activation of the IKK complex and induction of RelA/p65 nuclear translocation. Finally, we also show that Tax2 does not interact with TRAF6, a protein that was shown to positively regulate Tax1-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway.
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Bidoia C. Human T-lymphotropic virus proteins and post-translational modification pathways. World J Virol 2012; 1:115-30. [PMID: 24175216 PMCID: PMC3782272 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v1.i4.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell life from the cell cycle to the signaling transduction and response to stimuli is finely tuned by protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). PTMs alter the conformation, the stability, the localization, and hence the pattern of interactions of the targeted protein. Cell pathways involve the activation of enzymes, like kinases, ligases and transferases, that, once activated, act on many proteins simultaneously, altering the state of the cell and triggering the processes they are involved in. Viruses enter a balanced system and hijack the cell, exploiting the potential of PTMs either to activate viral encoded proteins or to alter cellular pathways, with the ultimate consequence to perpetuate through their replication. Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is known to be highly oncogenic and associates with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and other inflammatory pathological conditions. HTLV-1 protein activity is controlled by PTMs and, in turn, viral activity is associated with the modulation of cellular pathways based on PTMs. More knowledge is acquired about the PTMs involved in the activation of its proteins, like Tax, Rex, p12, p13, p30, HTLV-I basic leucine zipper factor and Gag. However, more has to be understood at the biochemical level in order to counteract the associated fatal outcomes. This review will focus on known PTMs that directly modify HTLV-1 components and on enzymes whose activity is modulated by viral proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bidoia
- Carlo Bidoia, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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14
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The multifaceted oncoprotein Tax: subcellular localization, posttranslational modifications, and NF-κB activation. Adv Cancer Res 2012; 113:85-120. [PMID: 22429853 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394280-7.00003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I-associated myelopathy. Constitutive NF-κB activation by the viral oncoprotein Tax plays a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of cellular proliferation, transformation, and inhibition of apoptosis. In an attempt to provide a general view of the molecular mechanisms of constitutive Tax-induced NF-κB activation, we summarize in this review the recent body of literature that supports a major role for Tax posttranslational modifications, chiefly ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, in the NF-κB activity of Tax. These modifications indeed participate in the control of Tax subcellular localization and modulate its protein-protein interaction potential. Tax posttranslational modifications, which highlight the ability of HTLV-I to optimize its limited viral genome size, might represent an attractive target for the design of new therapies for ATL.
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HTLV-1 tax-induced rapid senescence is driven by the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and depends on chronically activated IKKα and p65/RelA. J Virol 2012; 86:9474-83. [PMID: 22740410 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00158-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax is a potent activator of classical and alternative NF-κB pathways and is thought to promote cell proliferation and transformation via NF-κB activation. We showed recently that hyperactivation of NF-κB by Tax triggers a cellular senescence response (H. Zhi et al., PLoS Pathog. 7:e1002025, 2011). Inhibition of NF-κB activation by expression of I-κBα superrepressor or by small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of p65/RelA rescues cells from Tax-induced rapid senescence (Tax-IRS). Here we demonstrate that Tax-IRS is driven by the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Knockdown of IKKγ, the primary Tax target, by shRNAs abrogated Tax-mediated activation of both classical and alternative NF-κB pathways and rendered knockdown cells resistant to Tax-IRS. Consistent with a critical role of IKKα in the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, IKKα deficiency drastically decreased NF-κB trans-activation by Tax, although it only modestly reduced Tax-mediated I-κBα degradation and NF-κB nuclear localization. In contrast, although IKKβ knockdown attenuated Tax-induced NF-κB transcriptional activation, the residual NF-κB activation in IKKβ-deficient cells was sufficient to trigger Tax-IRS. Importantly, the phenotypes of NIK and TAK1 knockdown were similar to those of IKKα and IKKβ knockdown, respectively. Finally, double knockdown of RelB and p100 had a minor effect on senescence induction by Tax. These data suggest that Tax, through its interaction with IKKγ, helps recruit NIK and TAK1 for IKKα and IKKβ activation, respectively. In the presence of Tax, the delineation between the classical and alternative NF-κB pathways becomes obscured. The senescence checkpoint triggered by Tax is driven by the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, which depends on activated IKKα and p65/RelA.
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Abstract
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), whereas the highly related HTLV-2 is not associated with ATL or other cancers. In addition to ATL leukemogenesis, studies of the HTLV viruses also provide an exceptional model for understanding basic pathogenic mechanisms of virus-host interactions and human oncogenesis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the viral regulatory protein Tax and host inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB are largely responsible for the different pathogenic potentials of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of HTLV-1 oncogenic pathogenesis with a focus on the interplay between the Tax oncoprotein and NF-κB pro-oncogenic signaling. We also outline some of the most intriguing and outstanding questions in the fields of HTLV and NF-κB. Answers to those questions will greatly advance our understanding of ATL leukemogenesis and other NF-κB-associated tumorigenesis and will help us design personalized cancer therapies.
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The Sumo-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4 regulates the localization and function of the HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax. Blood 2011; 119:1173-81. [PMID: 22106342 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-06-358564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Really Interesting New Gene (RING) Finger Protein 4 (RNF4) represents a class of ubiquitin ligases that target Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)-modified proteins for ubiquitin modification. To date, the regulatory function of RNF4 appears to be ubiquitin-mediated degradation of sumoylated cellular proteins. In the present study, we show that the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) oncoprotein Tax is a substrate for RNF4 both in vivo and in vitro. We mapped the RNF4-binding site to a region adjacent to the Tax ubiquitin/SUMO modification sites K280/K284. Interestingly, RNF4 modification of Tax protein results in relocalization of the oncoprotein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Overexpression of RNF4, but not the RNF4 RING mutant, resulted in cytoplasmic enrichment of Tax. The RNF4-induced nucleus-to-cytoplasm relocalization was associated with increased NF-κB-mediated and decreased cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB)-mediated Tax activity. Finally, depletion of RNF4 by RNAi prevented the DNA damage-induced nuclear/cytoplasmic translocation of Tax. These results provide important new insight into STUbL-mediated pathways that regulate the subcellular localization and functional dynamics of viral oncogenes.
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Olière S, Douville R, Sze A, Belgnaoui SM, Hiscott J. Modulation of innate immune responses during human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) pathogenesis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2011; 22:197-210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Lodewick J, Lamsoul I, Bex F. Move or die: the fate of the Tax oncoprotein of HTLV-1. Viruses 2011; 3:829-57. [PMID: 21994756 PMCID: PMC3185767 DOI: 10.3390/v3060829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2011] [Revised: 05/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The HTLV-1 Tax protein both activates viral replication and is involved in HTLV-1-mediated transformation of T lymphocytes. The transforming properties of Tax include altering the expression of select cellular genes via activation of cellular pathways and perturbation of both cell cycle control mechanisms and apoptotic signals. The recent discovery that Tax undergoes a hierarchical sequence of posttranslational modifications that control its intracellular localization provides provocative insights into the mechanisms regulating Tax transcriptional and transforming activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lodewick
- Institut de Recherches Microbiologiques J-M Wiame, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1070 Bruxelles, Belgium.
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20
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Bertazzoni U, Turci M, Avesani F, Di Gennaro G, Bidoia C, Romanelli MG. Intracellular localization and cellular factors interaction of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Tax proteins: similarities and functional differences. Viruses 2011; 3:541-560. [PMID: 21994745 PMCID: PMC3185761 DOI: 10.3390/v3050541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-lymphotropic viruses type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) present very similar genomic structures but HTLV-1 is more pathogenic than HTLV-2. Is this difference due to their transactivating Tax proteins, Tax-1 and Tax-2, which are responsible for viral and cellular gene activation? Do Tax-1 and Tax-2 differ in their cellular localization and in their interaction pattern with cellular factors? In this review, we summarize Tax-1 and Tax-2 structural and phenotypic properties, their interaction with factors involved in signal transduction and their localization-related behavior within the cell. Special attention will be given to the distinctions between Tax-1 and Tax-2 that likely play an important role in their transactivation activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Bertazzoni
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy; E-Mails: (M.T.); (F.A.); (G.D.G.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (U.B.); (M.G.R); Tel.: +39-0458027182; Fax: +390458027180
| | - Marco Turci
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy; E-Mails: (M.T.); (F.A.); (G.D.G.)
| | - Francesca Avesani
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy; E-Mails: (M.T.); (F.A.); (G.D.G.)
| | - Gianfranco Di Gennaro
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy; E-Mails: (M.T.); (F.A.); (G.D.G.)
| | - Carlo Bidoia
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; E-Mail: (C.B.)
| | - Maria Grazia Romanelli
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy; E-Mails: (M.T.); (F.A.); (G.D.G.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (U.B.); (M.G.R); Tel.: +39-0458027182; Fax: +390458027180
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21
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Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 20 targets TRAF6 and human T cell leukemia virus type 1 tax to negatively regulate NF-kappaB signaling. J Virol 2011; 85:6212-9. [PMID: 21525354 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00079-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-κB plays a key role in innate and acquired immunity. Its activity is regulated through intricate signaling networks. Persistent or excessive activation of NF-κB induces diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and malignant neoplasms. Infection by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes a fatal hematopoietic malignancy termed adult T cell leukemia (ATL). The HTLV-1 viral oncoprotein Tax functions pivotally in leukemogenesis through its potent activation of NF-κB. Recent findings suggest that protein ubiquitination is crucial for proper regulation of NF-κB signaling and for Tax activity. Here, we report that ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP20 deubiquitinates TRAF6 and Tax and suppresses interleukin 1β (IL-1β)- and Tax-induced NF-κB activation. Our results point to USP20 as a key negative regulator of Tax-induced NF-κB signaling.
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Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and leukemic transformation: viral infectivity, Tax, HBZ and therapy. Oncogene 2010; 30:1379-89. [PMID: 21119600 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was the first retrovirus discovered to be causative of a human cancer, adult T-cell leukemia. The transforming entity of HTLV-1 has been attributed to the virally-encoded oncoprotein, Tax. Unlike the v-onc proteins encoded by other oncogenic animal retroviruses that transform cells, Tax does not originate from a c-onc counterpart. In this article, we review progress in our understanding of HTLV-1 infectivity, cellular transformation, anti-sense transcription and therapy, 30 years after the original discovery of this virus.
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23
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Jeang KT. HTLV-1 and adult T-cell leukemia: insights into viral transformation of cells 30 years after virus discovery. J Formos Med Assoc 2010; 109:688-93. [PMID: 20970064 DOI: 10.1016/s0929-6646(10)60112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia, was the first human retrovirus to be isolated. It is now the 30(th) anniversary of the initial discovery of HTLV-1. This review discusses recent insights into the role of the HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein in cellular proliferation and the abrogation of cellular checkpoints that lead to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Teh Jeang
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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24
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Tax ubiquitylation and SUMOylation control the dynamic shuttling of Tax and NEMO between Ubc9 nuclear bodies and the centrosome. Blood 2010; 117:190-9. [PMID: 20959607 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-05-285742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The human T-lymphotropic virus type I oncoprotein Tax is critical for T-cell transformation, acting mainly through nuclear factor kappa B essential modulator (NEMO) binding and subsequent nuclear factor-κB activation. Tax localizes to Tax nuclear bodies and to the centrosome and is subjected to ubiquitylation and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylation, which are both necessary for complete transcriptional activation. Using the photoconvertible fluorophore Dendra-2 coupled with live video confocal microscopy, we show for the first time that the same Tax molecule shuttles among Tax nuclear bodies and between these nuclear bodies and the centrosome, depending on its posttranslational modifications. Ubiquitylation targets Tax to nuclear bodies to which NEMO is recruited and subsequently SUMOylated. We also demonstrate that Tax nuclear bodies contain the SUMOylation machinery including SUMO and the SUMO conjugating enzyme Ubc9, strongly suggesting that these nuclear bodies represent sites of active SUMOylation. Finally, both ubiquitylation and SUMOylation of Tax control NEMO targeting to the centrosome. Altogether, we are proposing a model where both ubiquitylation and SUMOylation of Tax control the shuttling of Tax and NEMO between the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments.
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25
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Belgnaoui SM, Fryrear KA, Nyalwidhe JO, Guo X, Semmes OJ. The viral oncoprotein tax sequesters DNA damage response factors by tethering MDC1 to chromatin. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:32897-32905. [PMID: 20729195 PMCID: PMC2963403 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.146373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with human T-cell leukemia virus induces cellular genomic instability mediated through the viral oncoprotein Tax. Here we present evidence that Tax undermines the cellular DNA damage response by sequestration of damage response factors. We show by confocal microscopy that Tax forms damage-independent nuclear foci that contain DNA-PK, BRCA1, and MDC1. Tax sequesters MDC1 to chromatin sites distinct from classic ionizing radiation-induced foci. The recruitment of MDC1 is competitive between the two foci. The N-terminal region of Tax is sufficient for foci localization, and the C-terminal half is critical for binding to MDC1 and recruitment of additional response factors. Tax expression and DNA damage response factor recruitment repressed the formation of ionizing radiation-induced Nbs1-containing foci. The Tax-induced “pseudo” DNA damage response results in phosphorylation and monoubiquitylation of H2AX, which is ablated by siRNA suppression of MDC1. These data support a model for virus-induced genomic instability in which viral oncogene-induced damage-independent foci compete with normal cellular DNA damage response.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mehdi Belgnaoui
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virgina 23508
| | - Kimberly A Fryrear
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virgina 23508
| | - Julius O Nyalwidhe
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virgina 23508
| | - Xin Guo
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virgina 23508
| | - O John Semmes
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virgina 23508.
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26
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Bidoia C, Mazzorana M, Pagano MA, Arrigoni G, Meggio F, Pinna LA, Bertazzoni U. The pleiotropic protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates HTLV-1 Tax protein in vitro, targeting its PDZ-binding motif. Virus Genes 2010; 41:149-57. [PMID: 20526659 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-010-0494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The HTLV-1 transactivator Tax is an oncoprotein capable of deregulating the expression of many cellular genes and interfering with signalling pathways. Here we show that Tax-1 is phosphorylated in vitro by the pleiotropic human serine/threonine kinase CK2 at three residues, Ser-336, Ser-344 and Thr-351, close to and within its C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. We also show that the mutation of Thr-351 to aspartate abolishes Tax-1 binding to the scaffold protein hDlg, a tumour suppressor factor, while having no effect on transactivation. These results suggest that CK2, whose constitutive activity is often hijacked by viruses to sustain their vital cycle, could modulate Tax-1 oncogenic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bidoia
- Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy.
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27
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Shembade N, Harhaj EW. Role of post-translational modifications of HTLV-1 Tax in NF-κB activation. World J Biol Chem 2010; 1:13-20. [PMID: 21540989 PMCID: PMC3083931 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i1.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/24/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first human retrovirus discovered, is the etiological agent of adult-T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. The HTLV-1 encoded Tax protein is a potent oncoprotein that deregulates gene expression by constitutively activating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Tax activation of NF-κB is critical for the immortalization and survival of HTLV-1-infected T cells. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on mechanisms underlying Tax-mediated NF-κB activation, with an emphasis on post-translational modifications of Tax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noula Shembade
- Noula Shembade, Edward W Harhaj, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
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28
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Kesic M, Doueiri R, Ward M, Semmes OJ, Green PL. Phosphorylation regulates human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Rex function. Retrovirology 2009; 6:105. [PMID: 19919707 PMCID: PMC2780990 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-6-105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a pathogenic complex deltaretrovirus, which is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. In addition to the structural and enzymatic viral gene products, HTLV-1 encodes the positive regulatory proteins Tax and Rex along with viral accessory proteins. Tax and Rex proteins orchestrate the timely expression of viral genes important in viral replication and cellular transformation. Rex is a nucleolar-localizing shuttling protein that acts post-transcriptionally by binding and facilitating the export of the unspliced and incompletely spliced viral mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. HTLV-1 Rex (Rex-1) is a phosphoprotein and general protein kinase inhibition correlates with reduced function. Therefore, it has been proposed that Rex-1 function may be regulated through site-specific phosphorylation. Results We conducted a phosphoryl mapping of Rex-1 over-expressed in transfected 293 T cells using a combination of affinity purification and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We achieved 100% physical coverage of the Rex-1 polypeptide and identified five novel phosphorylation sites at Thr-22, Ser-36, Thr-37, Ser-97, and Ser-106. We also confirmed evidence of two previously identified residues, Ser-70 and Thr-174, but found no evidence of phosphorylation at Ser-177. The functional significance of these phosphorylation events was evaluated using a Rex reporter assay and site-directed mutational analysis. Our results indicate that phosphorylation at Ser-97 and Thr-174 is critical for Rex-1 function. Conclusion We have mapped completely the site-specific phosphorylation of Rex-1 identifying a total of seven residues; Thr-22, Ser-36, Thr-37, Ser-70, Ser-97, Ser-106, and Thr-174. Overall, this work is the first to completely map the phosphorylation sites in Rex-1 and provides important insight into the regulation of Rex-1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Kesic
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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29
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Site-specific phosphorylation regulates human T-cell leukemia virus type 2 Rex function in vivo. J Virol 2009; 83:8859-68. [PMID: 19553333 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00908-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 2 (HTLV-2) Rex is a transacting regulatory protein required for efficient cytoplasmic expression of the unspliced and incompletely spliced viral mRNA transcripts encoding the structural and enzymatic proteins. Previously, it was demonstrated that phosphorylation of Rex-2, predominantly on serine residues, is correlated with an altered conformation, as observed by a gel mobility shift and the detection of two related protein species (p24(Rex) and p26(Rex)). Rex-2 phosphorylation is required for specific binding to its viral-mRNA target sequence and inhibition of mRNA splicing and may be linked to subcellular compartmentalization. Thus, the phosphorylation-induced structural state of Rex in the infected cell may be a switch that determines whether HTLV exists in a latent or productive state. We conducted a phosphoryl and functional mapping of both structural forms of mammalian-cell-expressed Rex 2 using affinity purification, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and site-directed substitutional mutational analysis. We identified two phosphorylation sites in p24(Rex) at Ser-117 and Thr-164. We also identified six phosphorylation sites in p26(Rex) at Thr-19, Ser-117, Ser-125, Ser-151, Ser-153, and Thr-164. We evaluated the functional significance of these phosphorylation events and found that phosphorylation on Thr-164, Ser-151, and Ser-153 is critical for Rex-2 function in vivo and that phosphorylation of Ser-151 is correlated with nuclear/nucleolar subcellular localization. Overall, this work is the first to completely map the phosphorylation sites in Rex-2 and provides important insight into the phosphorylation continuum that tightly regulates Rex-2 structure, cellular localization, and function.
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30
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Journo C, Douceron E, Mahieux R. HTLV gene regulation: because size matters, transcription is not enough. Future Microbiol 2009; 4:425-40. [PMID: 19416012 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being discovered in animals in the early 20th century, the scientific interest in retroviruses was boosted with the discovery of human retroviruses (human T-leukemia/lymphoma virus [HTLV] and HIV), which are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. HTLV was identified more than 25 years ago as the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It was then shown to be a complex retrovirus, given that it not only encodes the characteristic retroviral Gag, Pol and Env proteins, but also regulatory and accessory proteins. Since the first studies documenting the role of these proteins in viral expression, the picture has become increasingly more complex. Indeed, owing to the limited size of its genome that contains overlapping open-reading frames, HTLV has evolved unique ways to regulate its expression. Retroviral expression was originally thought to be mainly controlled through the regulation of transcription from the 5 long-terminal repeats, but we now know that the 3 long-terminal repeats also serve as promoters. Regulation of splicing and mRNA export, and post-translational modifications of viral protein also play a major role. This review discusses the latest insights gained into the field of HTLV gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Journo
- Equipe Oncogenèse Rétrovirale, INSERM-U758 Virologie Humaine, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France
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31
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Peloponese JM, Yasunaga J, Kinjo T, Watashi K, Jeang KT. Peptidylproline cis-trans-isomerase Pin1 interacts with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 tax and modulates its activation of NF-kappaB. J Virol 2009; 83:3238-48. [PMID: 19158244 PMCID: PMC2655545 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01824-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/14/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus etiologically causal of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). The virus encodes a Tax oncoprotein that functions in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle control, and transformation. ATL is a highly virulent cancer that is resistant to chemotherapeutic treatments. To understand this disease better, it is important to comprehend how HTLV-1 promotes cellular growth and survival. Tax activation of NF-kappaB is important for the proliferation and transformation of virus-infected cells. We show here that prolyl isomerase Pin1 is over expressed in HTLV-1 cell lines; Pin1 binds Tax and regulates Tax-induced NF-kappaB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marie Peloponese
- Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Molecular, Microbiology, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0460, USA.
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32
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Dimerization and a novel Tax speckled structure localization signal are required for Tax nuclear localization. J Virol 2009; 83:5339-52. [PMID: 19321601 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00232-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 oncoprotein Tax has pleiotropic activities, a subset of which likely leads to immortalization of T cells. Tax is expressed and known to function in both the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm. Tax has defined nuclear localization (NLS) and nuclear export signals that enable shuttling between the two compartments. In this study, we identified a novel region in Tax that targets the protein to discrete nuclear foci that we have previously termed Tax speckled structures (TSS). We demonstrated that the identified region is both necessary and sufficient for directing proteins to TSS. This novel TSS localization signal (TSLS), spanning amino acids 50 to 75, is separable from and adjacent to the NLS of Tax. Coexpression of a Tax NLS mutant and a Tax TSLS mutant rescued the nuclear entry and subnuclear TSS targeting of both proteins, demonstrating that these signals are independent domains. Our analysis also revealed that Tax proteins deficient for dimerization fail to localize to the nucleus. Consequently, when we restored dimerization via induction of a heterologous "dimerizer" domain, nuclear localization was rescued. Thus, we defined additional domains in Tax specific for nuclear localization and subnuclear targeting. Our results reveal a more complex network for regulation of Tax subcellular localization and subsequent function.
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33
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Jeong SJ, Ryo A, Yamamoto N. The prolyl isomerase Pin1 stabilizes the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein and promotes malignant transformation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 381:294-9. [PMID: 19338781 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 02/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The HTLV Tax protein is crucial for viral replication and malignant transformation. We investigated the possible role of peptidyl prolyl isomerase Pin1 in the positive regulation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax. Pin1 is highly expressed in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells expressing Tax protein and forced expression of Pin1 in turn increases the Tax protein expression. Pin1 prolonged the protein half-life of Tax by suppressing the ubiquitination and subsequent lysosomal degradation of Tax. Pin1 interacts with phosphorylated Tax on its Ser160-Pro motif at the mitotic phase. Finally, we found that Pin1 plays a supporting role in Tax-mediated cell transformation. Our current study demonstrates an important role for Pin1 in the post-translational regulation of Tax and suggests that the targeting of Pin1 may offer a new insight into the pathogenesis of HTLV-1 related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jin Jeong
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Lodewick J, Lamsoul I, Polania A, Lebrun S, Burny A, Ratner L, Bex F. Acetylation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax oncoprotein by p300 promotes activation of the NF-kappaB pathway. Virology 2009; 386:68-78. [PMID: 19200568 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2008] [Revised: 10/17/2008] [Accepted: 12/31/2008] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The oncogenic potential of the HTLV-1 Tax protein involves activation of the NF-kappaB pathway, which depends on Tax phosphorylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation. We demonstrate that the nuclei of Tax-expressing cells, including HTLV-1 transformed T-lymphocytes, contain a pool of Tax molecules acetylated on lysine residue at amino acid position 346 by the transcriptional coactivator p300. Phosphorylation of Tax on serine residues 300/301 was a prerequisite for Tax localization in the nucleus and correlated with its subsequent acetylation by p300, whereas sumoylation, resulting in the formation of Tax nuclear bodies in which p300 was recruited, favored Tax acetylation. Overexpression of p300 markedly increased Tax acetylation and the ability of a wild type HTLV-1 provirus, but not of a mutant provirus carrying an acetylation deficient Tax gene, to activate gene expression from an integrated NF-kappaB-controlled promoter. Thus, Tax acetylation favors NF-kappaB activation and might play an important role in HTLV-1-induced cell transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lodewick
- Institute for Microbiological Research J-M Wiame and Laboratory of Microbiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1, Avenue Emile Gryson, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Durkin SS, Guo X, Fryrear KA, Mihaylova VT, Gupta SK, Belgnaoui SM, Haoudi A, Kupfer GM, Semmes OJ. HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein subverts the cellular DNA damage response via binding to DNA-dependent protein kinase. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:36311-20. [PMID: 18957425 PMCID: PMC2605996 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m804931200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 is the causative agent for adult T-cell leukemia. Previous research has established that the viral oncoprotein Tax mediates the transformation process by impairing cell cycle control and cellular response to DNA damage. We showed previously that Tax sequesters huChk2 within chromatin and impairs the response to ionizing radiation. Here we demonstrate that DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a member of the Tax.Chk2 nuclear complex. The catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs, and the regulatory subunit, Ku70, were present. Tax-containing nuclear extracts showed increased DNA-PK activity, and specific inhibition of DNA-PK prevented Tax-induced activation of Chk2 kinase activity. Expression of Tax induced foci formation and phosphorylation of H2AX. However, Tax-induced constitutive signaling of the DNA-PK pathway impaired cellular response to new damage, as reflected in suppression of ionizing radiation-induced DNA-PK phosphorylation and gammaH2AX stabilization. Tax co-localized with phospho-DNA-PK into nuclear speckles and a nuclear excluded Tax mutant sequestered endogenous phospho-DNA-PK into the cytoplasm, suggesting that Tax interaction with DNA-PK is an initiating event. We also describe a novel interaction between DNA-PK and Chk2 that requires Tax. We propose that Tax binds to and stabilizes a protein complex with DNA-PK and Chk2, resulting in a saturation of DNA-PK-mediated damage repair response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Durkin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Biomedical Proteomics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA
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Ramadan E, Ward M, Guo X, Durkin SS, Sawyer A, Vilela M, Osgood C, Pothen A, Semmes OJ. Physical and in silico approaches identify DNA-PK in a Tax DNA-damage response interactome. Retrovirology 2008; 5:92. [PMID: 18922151 PMCID: PMC2576351 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-5-92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have initiated an effort to exhaustively map interactions between HTLV-1 Tax and host cellular proteins. The resulting Tax interactome will have significant utility toward defining new and understanding known activities of this important viral protein. In addition, the completion of a full Tax interactome will also help shed light upon the functional consequences of these myriad Tax activities. The physical mapping process involved the affinity isolation of Tax complexes followed by sequence identification using tandem mass spectrometry. To date we have mapped 250 cellular components within this interactome. Here we present our approach to prioritizing these interactions via an in silico culling process. Results We first constructed an in silico Tax interactome comprised of 46 literature-confirmed protein-protein interactions. This number was then reduced to four Tax-interactions suspected to play a role in DNA damage response (Rad51, TOP1, Chk2, 53BP1). The first-neighbor and second-neighbor interactions of these four proteins were assembled from available human protein interaction databases. Through an analysis of betweenness and closeness centrality measures, and numbers of interactions, we ranked proteins in the first neighborhood. When this rank list was compared to the list of physical Tax-binding proteins, DNA-PK was the highest ranked protein common to both lists. An overlapping clustering of the Tax-specific second-neighborhood protein network showed DNA-PK to be one of three bridge proteins that link multiple clusters in the DNA damage response network. Conclusion The interaction of Tax with DNA-PK represents an important biological paradigm as suggested via consensus findings in vivo and in silico. We present this methodology as an approach to discovery and as a means of validating components of a consensus Tax interactome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Ramadan
- George L, Wright Center for Biomedical Proteomics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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Boxus M, Twizere JC, Legros S, Dewulf JF, Kettmann R, Willems L. The HTLV-1 Tax interactome. Retrovirology 2008; 5:76. [PMID: 18702816 PMCID: PMC2533353 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-5-76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2008] [Accepted: 08/14/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tax1 oncoprotein encoded by Human T-lymphotropic virus type I is a major determinant of viral persistence and pathogenesis. Tax1 affects a wide variety of cellular signalling pathways leading to transcriptional activation, proliferation and ultimately transformation. To carry out these functions, Tax1 interacts with and modulates activity of a number of cellular proteins. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge of the Tax1 interactome and propose a rationale for the broad range of cellular proteins identified so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Boxus
- University Academia Wallonie-Europe, Molecular and Cellular Biology at FUSAGx, Gembloux, Belgium.
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Shen W, Westgard E, Huang L, Ward MD, Osborn JL, Chau NH, Collins L, Marcum B, Koach MA, Bibbs J, Semmes OJ, Kerry JA. Nuclear trafficking of the human cytomegalovirus pp71 (ppUL82) tegument protein. Virology 2008; 376:42-52. [PMID: 18423509 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2007] [Revised: 03/10/2008] [Accepted: 03/11/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The human cytomegalovirus tegument protein pp71 localizes to the nucleus immediately upon infection, and functions to initiate viral gene expression. Analysis of a series of random insertion mutations revealed that sequences within the mid region (MR) of pp71 are important for localization to the nucleus. Fusion of MR sequences with eGFP revealed that amino acids 94 to 300 were sufficient to target proteins to the nucleus. Random substitution mutagenesis within this domain resulted in two double substitution mutants, pp71P203T/T223M and pp71T228M/L275Q, with a predominantly cytoplasmic localization. Disruption of nuclear targeting resulted in relocalization of the fusion proteins to a distinct perinuclear region. Using tandem mass spectrometry, we determined that threonine 223 can be phosphorylated. Mutation of this residue to a phosphomimetic amino acid resulted in abrogation of nuclear targeting. These results strongly suggest that the intracellular trafficking of pp71 is regulated by phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
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Gatza ML, Dayaram T, Marriott SJ. Ubiquitination of HTLV-I Tax in response to DNA damage regulates nuclear complex formation and nuclear export. Retrovirology 2007; 4:95. [PMID: 18081936 PMCID: PMC2234431 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-4-95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2007] [Accepted: 12/14/2007] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The HTLV-I oncoprotein, Tax, is a pleiotropic protein whose activity is partially regulated by its ability to interact with, and perturb the functions of, numerous cellular proteins. Tax is predominantly a nuclear protein that localizes to nuclear foci known as Tax Speckled Structures (TSS). We recently reported that the localization of Tax and its interactions with cellular proteins are altered in response to various forms of genotoxic and cellular stress. The level of cytoplasmic Tax increases in response to stress and this relocalization depends upon the interaction of Tax with CRM1. Cellular pathways and signals that regulate the subcellular localization of Tax remain to be determined. However, post-translational modifications including sumoylation and ubiquitination are known to influence the subcellular localization of Tax and its interactions with cellular proteins. The sumoylated form of Tax exists predominantly in the nucleus while ubiquitinated Tax exists predominantly in the cytoplasm. Therefore, we hypothesized that post-translational modifications of Tax that occur in response to DNA damage regulate the localization of Tax and its interactions with cellular proteins. Results We found a significant increase in mono-ubiquitination of Tax in response to UV irradiation. Mutation of specific lysine residues (K280 and K284) within Tax inhibited DNA damage-induced ubiquitination. In contrast to wild-type Tax, which undergoes transient nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in response to DNA damage, the K280 and K284 mutants were retained in nuclear foci following UV irradiation and remained co-localized with the cellular TSS protein, sc35. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the localization of Tax, and its interactions with cellular proteins, are dynamic following DNA damage and depend on the post-translational modification status of Tax. Specifically, DNA damage induces the ubiquitination of Tax at K280 and K284. Ubiquitination of these residues facilitates the dissociation of Tax from sc35-containing nuclear foci, and stimulates nuclear export of Tax through the CRM1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Gatza
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Interdepartmental Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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