Activation of the adenovirus 2 protein IX promoter by DNA replication in a transient expression assay

E1B-55K is a phosphorylation-dependent transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulator of viral gene expression in HAdV-C5 infection

The multifunctional adenoviral E1B-55K phosphoprotein is a major regulator of viral replication and plays key roles in virus-mediated cell transformation. While much is known about its function in oncogenic cell transformation, underlying features and exact mechanisms that implicate E1B-55K in regulation of viral gene expression are less well understood. Therefore, this work aimed at unravelling basic intranuclear principles of E1B-55K-regulated viral mRNA biogenesis using wild type HAdV-C5 E1B-55K, a virus mutant with abrogated E1B-55K expression and a mutant that expresses a phosphomimetic E1B-55K. By subnuclear fractionation, mRNA, DNA and protein analyses as well as luciferase reporter assays, we show that (i) E1B-55K promotes efficient release of viral late mRNAs from their site of synthesis in viral replication compartments (RCs) to the surrounding nucleoplasm, that (ii) E1B-55K modulates the rate of viral gene transcription and splicing in RCs, that (iii) E1B-55K participates in the temporal regulation of viral gene expression, that (iv) E1B-55K can enhance or repress the expression of viral early and late promoters and that (v) the phosphorylation of E1B-55K regulates the temporal effect of the protein on each of these activities. Together, these data demonstrate that E1B-55K is a phosphorylation-dependent transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulator of viral genes during HAdV-C5 infection. Importance Human adenoviruses are useful models to study basic aspects of gene expression and splicing. Moreover, they are one of the most commonly used viral vectors for clinical applications. However, key aspects of the activities of essential viral proteins that are commonly modified in adenoviral vectors have not been fully described. A prominent example is the multifunctional adenoviral oncoprotein E1B-55K that is known to promote efficient viral genome replication and expression while simultaneously repressing host gene expression and antiviral host responses. Our study combined different quantitative methods to study how E1B-55K promotes viral mRNA biogenesis. The data presented here propose a novel role for E1B-55K as a phosphorylation-dependent transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulator of viral genes.

Viral DNA Replication Orientation and hnRNPs Regulate Transcription of the Human Papillomavirus 18 Late Promoter

The life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is tightly linked to keratinocyte differentiation. Although expression of viral early genes is initiated immediately upon virus infection of undifferentiated basal cells, viral DNA amplification and late gene expression occur only in the mid to upper strata of the keratinocytes undergoing terminal differentiation. In this report, we show that the relative activity of HPV18 TATA-less late promoter P₈₁₁ depends on its orientation relative to that of the origin (Ori) of viral DNA replication and is sensitive to the eukaryotic DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin. Additionally, transfected 70-nucleotide (nt)-long single-strand DNA oligonucleotides that are homologous to the region near Ori induce late promoter activity. We also found that promoter activation in raft cultures leads to production of the late promoter-associated, sense-strand transcription initiation RNAs (tiRNAs) and splice-site small RNAs (spliRNAs). Finally, a cis-acting AAGTATGCA core element that functions as a repressor to the promoter was identified. This element interacts with hnRNP D0B and hnRNP A/B factors. Point mutations in the core prevented binding of hnRNPs and increased the promoter activity. Confirming this result, knocking down the expression of both hnRNPs in keratinocytes led to increased promoter activity. Taking the data together, our study revealed the mechanism of how the HPV18 late promoter is regulated by DNA replication and host factors.

It has been known for decades that the activity of viral late promoters is associated with viral DNA replication among almost all DNA viruses. However, the mechanism of how DNA replication activates the viral late promoter and what components of the replication machinery are involved remain largely unknown. In this study, we characterized the P₈₁₁ promoter region of HPV18 and demonstrated that its activation depends on the orientation of DNA replication. Using single-stranded oligonucleotides targeting the replication fork on either leading or lagging strands, we showed that viral lagging-strand replication activates the promoter. We also identified a transcriptional repressor element located upstream of the promoter transcription start site which interacts with cellular proteins hnRNP D0B and hnRNP A/B and modulates the late promoter activity. This is the first report on how DNA replication activates a viral late promoter.

In vitro dynamic visualization analysis of fluorescently labeled minor capsid protein IX and core protein V by simultaneous detection

Oncolytic adenoviruses represent a promising therapeutic medicine for human cancer therapy, but successful translation into human clinical trials requires careful evaluation of their viral characteristics. While the function of adenovirus proteins has been analyzed in detail, the dynamics of adenovirus infection remain largely unknown due to technological constraints that prevent adequate tracking of adenovirus particles after infection. Fluorescence labeling of adenoviral particles is one new strategy designed to directly analyze the dynamic processes of viral infection in virus-host cell interactions. We hypothesized that the double labeling of an adenovirus with fluorescent proteins would allow us to properly analyze intracellular viruses and the fate of viral proteins in a live analysis of an adenovirus as compared to single labeling. Thus, we generated a fluorescently labeled adenovirus with both a red fluorescent minor capsid protein IX (pIX) [pIX monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1)] and a green fluorescent minor core protein V (pV) [pV enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)], resulting in Ad5-IX-mRFP1-E3-V-EGFP. The fluorescent signals for pIX-mRFP1 and pV-EGFP were detected within 10 min in living cells. However, a growth curve analysis of Ad5-IX-mRFP1-E3-V-EGFP showed an approximately 150-fold reduced production of the viral progeny at 48 h postinfection as compared to adenovirus type 5. Interestingly, pIX-mRFP1 and pV-EGFP were initially localized in the cytoplasm and nucleolus, respectively, at 18 h postinfection. These proteins were observed in the nucleus during the late stage of infection, and relocalization of the proteins was observed in an adenoviral-replication-dependent manner. These results indicate that simultaneous detection of adenoviruses using dual-fluorescent proteins is suitable for real-time analysis, including identification of infected cells and monitoring of viral spread, which will be required for a complete evaluation of oncolytic adenoviruses.

Activation domains of transcription factors mediate replication dependent transcription from a minimal HIV-1 promoter

Transcription from a minimal HIV-1 promoter containing the three Sp1 binding sites and TATA box can be activated without Tat by template DNA replication. Here we show that this activation can also be mediated by recombinant GAL4 fusion proteins containing the activation domains of Sp1, VP16 or CTF (or by full-length GAL4) targeted to the HIV-1 promoter by replacing the Sp1 sites with five GAL4 binding sites. Thus Sp1 is not unique in its ability to mediate replication activated transcription, although the degree of processivity elicited by the different activators varied significantly from strongly processive (GAL4-VP16) to relatively non-processive (GAL4-Sp1 or -CTF). Processive GAL4-VP16-activated transcription, but not efficient initiation, required multiple GAL4 binding sites. In the presence of Tat, transcription with GAL4-SP1 and GAL4-CTF was further activated (principally at the level of processivity) but GAL4-VP16-potentiated transcription was only slightly stimulated. The Tat-dependent switch from non-processive to fully processive transcription was particularly marked for GAL4-Sp1, an effect which may be relevant to the selection of Sp1 binding sites by the HIV-1 promoter.

Effects of the simian virus 40 origin of replication on transcription from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 promoter

Positive and negative effects of DNA replication on gene transcription have been documented in a variety of systems. We examined the effects of the simian virus 40 (SV40) origin of replication on transcription from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter, using a transient expression assay in COS-1 cells. The basal activity and Tat transactivation of the HIV promoter were greatly stimulated by the SV40 origin of replication independent of its position relative to the long terminal repeat. These effects were abolished by mutational inactivation of the SV40 origin and were reduced by a DNA replication inhibitor. The magnitude of promoter activation exceeded the increment expected from the increase in template number resulting from DNA replication. The SV40 T-antigen-induced DNA replication augmented the generation of both processive and nonprocessive HIV long terminal repeat-directed transcripts, and Tat primarily enhanced the initiation of those transcripts that were destined to be efficiently elongated. Our data suggest that the HIV promoter displays greater transcriptional activity on replicative DNA templates. This property may influence the activity of integrated HIV provirus and its transition from latency to productive infection.

The metabolism of host RNAs in cells infected by an adenovirus E4 mutant

Mutants of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) that lack early region 4 (E4) are defective in the expression of viral late genes. E4 mutants exhibit dramatically reduced levels of both cytoplasmic and nuclear viral late RNAs compared to wild-type virus, due principally to reduced stability of unprocessed viral late RNA in the nucleus of mutant-infected cells. To determine whether E4 products also affect the metabolism of host RNAs in infected cells, steady-state levels of beta-actin RNA and triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) RNA were measured in the cytoplasms and nuclei of HeLa cells infected by either wild-type Ad5 or the E4 deletion mutant H5dl1004, and were compared to levels in uninfected HeLa cells. S1 nuclease analyses revealed only slight reductions in beta-actin mRNA levels in the cytoplasm and in levels of spliced and unspliced beta-actin RNA in the nucleus of cells infected by either Ad5 or H5dl1004. RNase protection analyses showed that cytoplasmic TPI RNA levels were not affected by infection of HeLa cells with either Ad5 or H5dl1004. Steady-state levels of nuclear TPI RNA, both spliced and unspliced, were slightly reduced in cells infected by wild-type virus but not in HeLa cells infected by H5dl1004. These results indicate that the reduced stability of RNA in HeLa cells infected by E4 mutants is a virus-specific phenotype which does not extend to host cell RNAs.

The adenovirus E4 17-kilodalton protein complexes with the cellular transcription factor E2F, altering its DNA-binding properties and stimulating E1A-independent accumulation of E2 mRNA

E2F is a cellular DNA-binding factor. Its binding activity is changed within adenovirus-infected cells so that it binds cooperatively to pairs of properly spaced and oriented E2F recognition sites. In the work described in this report, the conversion to cooperative binding was shown to require the adenovirus E4 17-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide. Mutant viruses carrying alterations within the E4 17-kDa coding region failed to generate the infection-specific, cooperatively binding form of E2F. It was possible to alter E2F from uninfected cells so that it bound cooperatively by incubation with a partially purified fraction obtained from infected cells. The E4 17-kDa protein copurified with this activity and was also found to be present in a complex containing E2F. Consistent with its ability to alter the binding of E2F to its recognition sites within the E2 promoter, the E4 17-kDa polypeptide contributed to maximal expression of E2 mRNAs in some cell types. Its ability to enhance E2 transcription did not require expression of the E1A transactivator protein. These results are consistent with a model which proposes that the E4 17-kDa polypeptide binds to the cellular E2F factor, altering its binding behavior and thereby enhancing its ability to stimulate transcription.

Novel regulation of transcription initiation of the peptide IX gene of adenovirus 2

cis-Acting elements involved in transcription of the peptide IX (pIX) gene of adenovirus 2 were identified by using in vivo transient expression assays and two in vitro transcription systems. Deletion of either the sequence between positions -45 and -70 or the TATA box abolished the initiation of pIX gene transcription in vivo and transcription with HeLa cell nuclear extracts in vitro. These results initially suggested the presence of a positive factor acting on the upstream element. However, when proteins in the nuclear extract were fractionated by column chromatography and analyzed by reconstitution of transcription in vitro, it was found that a certain fraction could direct TATA box-dependent transcription initiation even in the absence of the upstream element. Furthermore, activity inhibiting TATA box-dependent transcription was found in the nuclear extract. In contrast, inhibition of TATA box-dependent transcription was suppressed by deletion of a downstream sequence between positions +33 and +122. These results indicate that the TATA box of the pIX gene by itself has the ability to direct initiation of constitutive transcription but that the function of this element is under negative control by a repressor acting on a downstream sequence. Thus, the upstream element of the pIX gene appears to have a novel function: suppression of the transcriptional repression exerted by a downstream sequence, leading to a net transcription activation. Possible mechanisms for transcription initiation of pIX DNA are discussed.

Replication-dependent activation of the adenovirus major late promoter is mediated by the increased binding of a transcription factor to sequences in the first intron

During lytic infection, the adenovirus major late promoter (MLP) is primarily activated after the onset of viral DNA replication. Using a combination of DNA binding and in vitro transcription assays, we delineated a discrete MLP element spanning positions +80 to +106 which is essential for the replication-dependent activation of this promoter. We also identified a 40-kilodalton protein (the downstream element factor [DEF]) which binds to the +86-TTGTCAGTTT-+95 motif within this element. Whereas the DEF-binding activity is barely detectable in uninfected cells, it is readily visualized in adenovirus-infected cells, but only after the onset of viral DNA replication. Preventing the interaction of DEF with the MLP template impairs the in vitro transcriptional stimulation. We conclude that this replication-dependent activation of the MLP is, at least in part, mediated by induction of the specific binding of DEF to the MLP downstream element.

Activation and repression of a beta-globin gene in cell hybrids is accompanied by a shift in its temporal replication

To investigate whether a switch in the transcriptional activity of a gene is associated with a change in the timing of replication during the S phase, we examined the replication timing of the beta-globin genes in two different types of somatic cell hybrids. In mouse hepatoma (Hepa 1a) x mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) hybrid cells, the beta-globin gene from the MEL parent is transcriptionally inactivated and is later replicating than in the parental MEL cell line. In human fibroblast (GM3552) x MEL hybrid cells, the human beta-globin gene is transcriptionally activated, and all of the sequences within the human beta-globin domain (200 kilobases) we have examined appear to be earlier replicating than those in the parental fibroblast cell line. The chromatin configuration of the activated human beta-globin domain in the hybrids is relatively more sensitive to nucleases than that in the fibroblasts. Furthermore, major nuclease-hypersensitive sites that were absent in the chromatin flanking the distal 5' region of the human beta-globin gene cluster in the parental fibroblast cell line are present in the transcriptionally activated domain in the hybrid cell line. These results suggest that timing of replication of globin genes has been altered in these hybrid cells and thus is not fixed during the process of differentiation.

Novel regulation of transcription initiation of the peptide IX gene of adenovirus 2

cis-Acting elements involved in transcription of the peptide IX (pIX) gene of adenovirus 2 were identified by using in vivo transient expression assays and two in vitro transcription systems. Deletion of either the sequence between positions -45 and -70 or the TATA box abolished the initiation of pIX gene transcription in vivo and transcription with HeLa cell nuclear extracts in vitro. These results initially suggested the presence of a positive factor acting on the upstream element. However, when proteins in the nuclear extract were fractionated by column chromatography and analyzed by reconstitution of transcription in vitro, it was found that a certain fraction could direct TATA box-dependent transcription initiation even in the absence of the upstream element. Furthermore, activity inhibiting TATA box-dependent transcription was found in the nuclear extract. In contrast, inhibition of TATA box-dependent transcription was suppressed by deletion of a downstream sequence between positions +33 and +122. These results indicate that the TATA box of the pIX gene by itself has the ability to direct initiation of constitutive transcription but that the function of this element is under negative control by a repressor acting on a downstream sequence. Thus, the upstream element of the pIX gene appears to have a novel function: suppression of the transcriptional repression exerted by a downstream sequence, leading to a net transcription activation. Possible mechanisms for transcription initiation of pIX DNA are discussed.

Activation and repression of a beta-globin gene in cell hybrids is accompanied by a shift in its temporal replication

To investigate whether a switch in the transcriptional activity of a gene is associated with a change in the timing of replication during the S phase, we examined the replication timing of the beta-globin genes in two different types of somatic cell hybrids. In mouse hepatoma (Hepa 1a) x mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) hybrid cells, the beta-globin gene from the MEL parent is transcriptionally inactivated and is later replicating than in the parental MEL cell line. In human fibroblast (GM3552) x MEL hybrid cells, the human beta-globin gene is transcriptionally activated, and all of the sequences within the human beta-globin domain (200 kilobases) we have examined appear to be earlier replicating than those in the parental fibroblast cell line. The chromatin configuration of the activated human beta-globin domain in the hybrids is relatively more sensitive to nucleases than that in the fibroblasts. Furthermore, major nuclease-hypersensitive sites that were absent in the chromatin flanking the distal 5' region of the human beta-globin gene cluster in the parental fibroblast cell line are present in the transcriptionally activated domain in the hybrid cell line. These results suggest that timing of replication of globin genes has been altered in these hybrid cells and thus is not fixed during the process of differentiation.

Transcriptional promiscuity of the human alpha-globin gene

The human alpha-globin gene displays the unusual property of transcriptional promiscuity: that is, it functions in the absence of an enhancer when transfected into nonerythroid cell lines. It is also unusual in that its promoter region lies in a hypomethylated HpaII tiny fragment (HTF) island containing multiple copies of the consensus sequence for the SP1-binding site. We have investigated whether there is a relationship between these two observations. First, we investigated the mouse alpha-globin gene since it does not lie in an HTF island. We have demonstrated that it was not transcriptionally promiscuous. Second, we studied the transcriptional activity of the human alpha-globin gene in the absence of the GC-rich region containing putative SP1-binding sites and found a small (two- to threefold) but consistent positive effect of this region on transcriptional activity in both nonerythroid and erythroid cell lines. However, this effect did not account for the promiscuous nature of the human alpha-globin gene. We found that in a nonreplicating system, the human alpha-globin gene, like that of the mouse, required a simian virus 40 enhancer in order to be transcriptionally active in nonerythroid and erythroid cell lines. Since we only observed enhancer independence of the human alpha-globin gene in a high-copy-number replicating system, we suggest that competition for trans-acting factors could explain these results. Finally, our experiments with the erythroid cell line Putko suggest that there are no tissue-specific enhancers within 1 kilobase 5' of the human alpha-globin cap site or within the gene itself.

Transcriptional promiscuity of the human alpha-globin gene

The human alpha-globin gene displays the unusual property of transcriptional promiscuity: that is, it functions in the absence of an enhancer when transfected into nonerythroid cell lines. It is also unusual in that its promoter region lies in a hypomethylated HpaII tiny fragment (HTF) island containing multiple copies of the consensus sequence for the SP1-binding site. We have investigated whether there is a relationship between these two observations. First, we investigated the mouse alpha-globin gene since it does not lie in an HTF island. We have demonstrated that it was not transcriptionally promiscuous. Second, we studied the transcriptional activity of the human alpha-globin gene in the absence of the GC-rich region containing putative SP1-binding sites and found a small (two- to threefold) but consistent positive effect of this region on transcriptional activity in both nonerythroid and erythroid cell lines. However, this effect did not account for the promiscuous nature of the human alpha-globin gene. We found that in a nonreplicating system, the human alpha-globin gene, like that of the mouse, required a simian virus 40 enhancer in order to be transcriptionally active in nonerythroid and erythroid cell lines. Since we only observed enhancer independence of the human alpha-globin gene in a high-copy-number replicating system, we suggest that competition for trans-acting factors could explain these results. Finally, our experiments with the erythroid cell line Putko suggest that there are no tissue-specific enhancers within 1 kilobase 5' of the human alpha-globin cap site or within the gene itself.

Promoter occlusion prevents transcription of adenovirus polypeptide IX mRNA until after DNA replication

The left end of the adenovirus genome is arranged such that the polypeptide IX gene is 'buried' (entirely contained) within the E1B transcription unit. The E1B gene is transcribed actively early in infection while, in contrast, IX gene transcription only occurs after DNA replication. Using recombinant plasmid constructs and recombinant viruses, we have found that the nested arrangement of the IX gene prevents its transcription. The experiments show that E1B transcription across the IX promoter inhibits IX gene expression early in infection, and yet, the 21-kD E1B protein activates the IX gene. IX mRNA synthesis occurs in the absence of DNA replication when the E1A gene and E1B promoter are absent, but only when the 21-kD E1B protein is present in trans. Our results indicate that during the adenovirus infectious cycle, the only templates on which IX transcription can be activated are newly replicated templates not committed to E1B transcription. This situation may be a model for genes that are activated specifically at the time of replication.

Role for DNA replication in beta-globin gene activation

Transcriptional activation of the Xenopus laevis beta-globin gene requires the synergistic action of the simian virus 40 enhancer and DNA replication in DEAE-dextran-mediated HeLa cell transfections. Replication does not act through covalent modification of the template, since its requirement was not obviated by the prior replication of the transfected DNA in eucaryotic cells. Transfection of DNA over a 100-fold range demonstrates that replication does not contribute to gene activation simply increasing template copy number. Furthermore, in cotransfections of replicating and nonreplicating constructs, only replicating templates were transcribed. Replication is not simply a requirement of chromatin assembly, since even unreplicated templates generated nucleosomal ladders. Stimulation of beta-globin transcription by DNA replication, though less marked, was also observed in calcium phosphate transfections. We interpret these results as revealing a dynamic role for replication in gene activation.

Replication-induced stimulation of the major late promoter of adenovirus is correlated to the binding of a factor to sequences in the first intron

The sequence requirements for transcriptional stimulation of the adenovirus major late promoter (MLP) by the products of the early transcription unit Ela and by the replication of viral DNA were analyzed by in vitro transcription. Sequences upstream of +33 are involved in the moderate Ela-responsiveness of the MLP, while sequences between +33 and +131 are required for its major replication-induced transcriptional activation. Dnase I footprinting experiments delineate a sequence component, extending from +76 to +120, which binds protein(s) only in extracts of cells where viral DNA replication occurred. Taken together, these results suggest that the replication-dependent stimulation of the MLP is mediated by the increased binding of this protein(s).

Role for DNA replication in beta-globin gene activation

Transcriptional activation of the Xenopus laevis beta-globin gene requires the synergistic action of the simian virus 40 enhancer and DNA replication in DEAE-dextran-mediated HeLa cell transfections. Replication does not act through covalent modification of the template, since its requirement was not obviated by the prior replication of the transfected DNA in eucaryotic cells. Transfection of DNA over a 100-fold range demonstrates that replication does not contribute to gene activation simply increasing template copy number. Furthermore, in cotransfections of replicating and nonreplicating constructs, only replicating templates were transcribed. Replication is not simply a requirement of chromatin assembly, since even unreplicated templates generated nucleosomal ladders. Stimulation of beta-globin transcription by DNA replication, though less marked, was also observed in calcium phosphate transfections. We interpret these results as revealing a dynamic role for replication in gene activation.