Utilization of internal AUG codons for initiation of protein synthesis directed by mRNAs from normal and mutant genes encoding herpes simplex virus-specified thymidine kinase

Optimization of a lentivirus-mediated gene therapy targeting HIV-1 RNA to eliminate HIV-1-infected cells

Persistence of HIV-1 in cellular reservoirs results in lifelong infection, with cure achieved only in rare cases through ablation of marrow-derived cells. We report on optimization of an approach that could potentially be aimed at eliminating these reservoirs, hijacking the HIV-1 alternative splicing process to functionalize the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk)/ganciclovir (GCV) cell suicide system through targeted RNA trans-splicing at the HIV-1 D4 donor site. AUG1-deficient HSVtk therapeutic pre-mRNA was designed to gain an in-frame start codon from HIV-1 tat1. D4-targeting lentiviral vectors were produced and used to transduce HIV-1-expressing cells, where trans-spliced HIV-1 tat/HSVtk mRNA was successfully detected. However, translation of catalytically active HSVtk polypeptides from internal AUGs in HSVtk ΔAUG1 caused GCV-mediated cytotoxicity in uninfected cells. Modifying these sites in the D4 opt 2 lentiviral vector effectively mitigated this major off-target effect. Promoter choice was optimized for increased transgene expression. Affinity for HIV-1 RNA predicted in silico correlated with the propensity of opt 2 payloads to induce HIV-1 RNA trans-splicing and killing of HIV-1-expressing cells with no significant effect on uninfected cells. Following latency reversing agent (LRA) optimization and treatment, 45% of lymphocytes in an HIV-1-infected latency model could be eliminated with D4 opt 2/GCV. Further development would be warranted to exploit this approach.

Expression of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase/Ganciclovir by RNA Trans-Splicing Induces Selective Killing of HIV-Producing Cells

Antiviral strategies targeting hijacked cellular processes are less easily evaded by the virus than viral targets. If selective for viral functions, they can have a high therapeutic index. We used RNA trans-splicing to deliver the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase-ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) cell suicide system into HIV-producing cells. Using an extensive in silico bioinformatics and RNA structural analysis approach, ten HIV RNA trans-splicing constructs were designed targeting eight different HIV splice donor or acceptor sites and were tested in cells expressing HIV. Trans-spliced mRNAs were identified in HIV-expressing cells using qRT-PCR with successful detection of fusion RNA transcripts between HIV RNA and the HSV-tk RNA transcripts from six of ten candidate RNA trans-splicing constructs. Conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing confirmed RNA trans-splicing junctions. Measuring cell viability in the presence or absence of GCV expression of HSV-tk by RNA trans-splicing led to selective killing of HIV-producing cells using either 3' exon replacement or 5' exon replacement in the presence of GCV. Five constructs targeting four HIV splice donor and acceptor sites, D4, A5, A7, and A8, involved in regulating the generation of multiple HIV RNA transcripts proved to be effective for trans-splicing mediated selective killing of HIV-infected cells, within which individual constructs targeting D4 and A8 were the most efficient.

Selection of differently temporally regulated African swine fever virus promoters with variable expression activities and their application for transient and recombinant virus mediated gene expression

African swine fever virus threatens pig production worldwide due to the lack of vaccines, for which generation of both deletion and insertion mutants is considered. For development of the latter, operational ASFV promoters of different temporal regulation and strengths are desirable. We therefore compared the capacities of putative promoter sequences from p72, CD2v, p30, viral DNA polymerase and U104L genes to mediate expression of luciferase from transfected plasmids after activation in trans, or p30-, DNA polymerase- and U104L promoters in cis, using respective ASFV recombinants. We identified sequences with promoter activities upstream the viral ORFs, and showed that they differ in both their expression intensity regulating properties and in their temporal regulation. In summary, p30 and DNA polymerase promoters are recommended for high level early regulated transgene expression. For late expression, the p72, CD2v and U104L promoter are suitable. The latter however, only if low level transgene expression is aimed.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase genes in clinical herpes simplex virus type 1 isolates associated with different resistance phenotypes

The role of mutations in the thymidine kinase (TK, UL23) and DNA polymerase (pol, UL30) genes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) for development of different resistance phenotypes has to be exactly determined before genotypic resistance testing can be implemented in patient's care. Furthermore, the occurrence of cross-resistance is of utmost clinical importance. In this study, clinical HSV-1 isolates obtained between 2004 and 2011 from 26 patients after stem cell transplantation were examined in parallel by phenotypic and genotypic resistance testing. Thirteen isolates, which were phenotypically cross-resistant to acyclovir (ACV), penciclovir (PCV) and brivudin (BVDU), exhibited consistently frameshift or non-synonymous mutations in the TK gene known to confer resistance. One of these mutations (insertion of C at the nucleotide positions 1061-1065) has not been described before. Seven strains, phenotypically resistant to ACV and PCV and, except one each, sensitive to BVDU and resistant to foscarnet (FOS), carried uniformly resistance-related substitutions in the DNA pol gene. Finally, 3 isolates, resistant to ACV, PCV and 2 out of these also resistant to BVDU, had known but also unclear substitutions in the TK and DNA pol genes, and 3 isolates were completely sensitive. In conclusion, clinical ACV-resistant HSV-1 isolates, carrying resistance-associated mutations in the TK gene, can be regarded as cross-resistant to other nucleoside analogs such as BVDU. In contrast, clinical FOS-resistant HSV-1 strains which are cross-resistant to ACV may be sensitive to BVDU. This has to be considered for drug changes in antiviral treatment in case of ACV resistance.

Two isoforms of the protein kinase pUL97 of human cytomegalovirus are differentially regulated in their nuclear translocation

The pUL97 protein kinase encoded by human cytomegalovirus is a multifunctional determinant of the efficiency of viral replication and phosphorylates viral as well as cellular substrate proteins. Here, we report that pUL97 is expressed in two isoforms with molecular masses of approximately 90 and 100 kDa. ORF UL97 comprises an unusual coding strategy in that five in-frame ATG start codons are contained within the N-terminal 157 aa. Site-directed mutagenesis, transient expression of point and deletion mutants and proteomic analyses accumulated evidence that the formation of the large and small isoforms result from alternative initiation of translation, with the start points being at amino acids 1 and 74, respectively. In vitro kinase assays demonstrated that catalytic activity, in terms of autophosphorylation and histone substrate phosphorylation, was indistinguishable for the two isoforms. An analysis of the intracellular distribution of pUL97 by confocal laser-scanning microscopy demonstrated that both isoforms have a pronounced nuclear localization. Surprisingly, mapping experiments performed to identify the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of pUL97 strongly suggest that the mechanism of nuclear transport is distinct for the two isoforms. While the extreme N terminus (large isoform) comprises a highly efficient, bipartite NLS (amino acids 6-35), a second sequence apparently conferring a less efficient mode of nuclear translocation was identified downstream of amino acid 74 (small and large isoforms). Taken together, the findings argue for a complex mechanism of nuclear translocation for pUL97 which might be linked with fine-regulatory differences between the two isoforms.

Effect of telomere proximity on telomere position effect, chromosome healing, and sensitivity to DNA double-strand breaks in a human tumor cell line

The ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, are composed of a DNA repeat sequence and associated proteins, which prevent DNA degradation and chromosome fusion. We have previously used plasmid sequences integrated adjacent to a telomere to demonstrate that mammalian telomeres suppress gene expression, called telomere position effect (TPE). We have also shown that subtelomeric regions are highly sensitive to double-strand breaks, leading to chromosome instability, and that this instability can be prevented by the addition of a new telomere to the break, a process called chromosome healing. We have now targeted the same plasmid sequences to a site 100 kb from a telomere in a human carcinoma cell line to address the effect of telomere proximity on telomere position effect, chromosome healing, and sensitivity to double-strand breaks. The results demonstrate a substantial decrease in TPE 100 kb from the telomere, demonstrating that TPE is very limited in range. Chromosome healing was also diminished 100 kb from the telomere, consistent with our model that chromosome healing serves as a repair process for restoring lost telomeres. Conversely, the region 100 kb from the telomere was highly sensitive to double-strand breaks, demonstrating that the sensitive region is a relatively large target for ionizing radiation-induced chromosome instability.

Increased sensitivity of subtelomeric regions to DNA double-strand breaks in a human cancer cell line

We previously reported that a single DNA double-strand break (DSB) near a telomere in mouse embryonic stem cells can result in chromosome instability. We have observed this same type of instability as a result of spontaneous telomere loss in human tumor cell lines, suggesting that a deficiency in the repair of DSBs near telomeres has a role in chromosome instability in human cancer. We have now investigated the frequency of the chromosome instability resulting from DSBs near telomeres in the EJ-30 human bladder carcinoma cell line to determine whether subtelomeric regions are sensitive to DSBs, as previously reported in yeast. These studies involved determining the frequency of large deletions, chromosome rearrangements, and chromosome instability resulting from I-SceI endonuclease-induced DSBs at interstitial and telomeric sites. As an internal control, we also analyzed the frequency of small deletions, which have been shown to be the most common type of mutation resulting from I-SceI-induced DSBs at interstitial sites. The results demonstrate that although the frequency of small deletions is similar at interstitial and telomeric DSBs, the frequency of large deletions and chromosome rearrangements is much greater at telomeric DSBs. DSB-induced chromosome rearrangements at telomeric sites also resulted in prolonged periods of chromosome instability. Telomeric regions in mammalian cells are therefore highly sensitive to DSBs, suggesting that spontaneous or ionizing radiation-induced DSBs at these locations may be responsible for many of the chromosome rearrangements that are associated with human cancer.

Open reading frame UL26 of human cytomegalovirus encodes a novel tegument protein that contains a strong transcriptional activation domain

A selection strategy, the activator trap, was used in order to identify genes of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) that encode strong transcriptional activation domains in mammalian cells. This approach is based on the isolation of activation domains from a GAL4 fusion library by means of selective plasmid replication, which is mediated in transfected cells by a GAL4-inducible T antigen gene. With this screening strategy, we were able to isolate two types of plasmids encoding transactivating fusion proteins from a library of random HCMV DNA inserts. One plasmid contained the exon 3 of the HCMV IE-1/2 gene region, which has previously been identified as a strong transcriptional activation domain. In the second type of plasmid, the open reading frame (ORF) UL26 of HCMV was fused to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. By quantitative RNA mapping using S1 nuclease analysis, we were able to classify UL26 as a strong enhancer-type activation domain with no apparent homology to characterized transcriptional activators. Western blot analysis with a specific polyclonal antibody raised against a prokaryotic UL26 fusion protein revealed that two protein isoforms of 21 and 27 kDa are derived from the UL26 ORF in both infected and transfected cells. Both protein isoforms, which arise via alternative usage of two in-frame translational start codons, showed a nuclear localization and could be detected as early as 6 h after infection of primary human fibroblasts. By performing Western blot analysis with purified virions combined with fractionation experiments, we provide evidence that pUL26 is a novel tegument protein of HCMV that is imported during viral infection. Furthermore, we observed transactivation of the HCMV major immediate-early enhancer-promoter by pUL26, whereas several early and late promoters were not affected. Our data suggest that pUL26 is a novel tegument protein of HCMV with a strong transcriptional activation domain that could play an important role during initiation of the viral replicative cycle.

Rapid phenotypic characterization method for herpes simplex virus and Varicella-Zoster virus thymidine kinases to screen for acyclovir-resistant viral infection

A rapid phenotypic screening method for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) thymidine kinase (TK) genes was developed for monitoring acyclovir-resistant viruses. This method determines the biochemical phenotype of the TK polypeptide, which is synthesized in vitro from viral DNA using a procedure as follows. The TK gene of each sample virus strain is amplified and isolated under the control of a T7 promoter by PCR. The PCR products are transcribed with T7 RNA polymerase and translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Using this method, enzymatic characteristics and the size of the TK polypeptides encoding HSV and VZV DNA were defined in less than 2 days without virus isolation. The assay should be a powerful tool in monitoring drug-resistant viruses, especially in cases in which virus isolation is difficult.

Penciclovir and pathogenesis phenotypes of drug-resistant Herpes simplex virus mutants

We compared the penciclovir susceptibilities and pathogenesis phenotypes of mutants of Herpes simplex virus type 1 that are resistant to acyclovir and/or foscarnet. The mutants, which were derived from laboratory strain KOS, included six DNA polymerase mutants, a thymidine kinase negative mutant, a thymidine kinase partial mutant, and a double mutant. Two of four polymerase mutants not previously examined for penciclovir susceptibility exhibited modest resistance to this drug. A thymidine kinase negative mutant exhibited approximately 20-fold resistance while a thymidine kinase partial mutant was penciclovir-sensitive. Following intracerebral inoculation of 7-week old CD1 mice, the mutants ranged from exhibiting near wild-type neurovirulence (thymidine kinase partial) to modest attenuation (e.g. thymidine kinase negative) to more severe attenuation. Following corneal inoculation, three polymerase mutants exhibited modest deficits (relative to those of thymidine kinase negative mutants) in their abilities to replicate acutely in the ganglion and reactivate from latency. For mutant AraA(r)13, the deficit in ganglionic replication was shown to be due to its polymerase mutation by analysis of recombinant viruses derived by marker rescue. These results may have implications for issues of penciclovir action and resistance, for drug resistance in the clinic, and for the interactions of herpes viruses with the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Human interferon reduces surface expression but not total production of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoproteins gC and gE in heterologous hamster cells

The effect of interferon (IFN) on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-induced glycoproteins gC and gE was investigated in a heterologous IFN/cell model. In this model, the effect on surface expression of the glycoproteins could be studied separately from the effect on virus multiplication. Pretreatment of baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) with heterologous human leukocyte IFN suppressed surface expression of HSV-1-encoded gC and gE but had no influence on total production of the glycoproteins. This was in contrast to the effect on human embryonic fibroblast cells (HE) (homologous IFN and cells), where surface expression as well as total production of glycoproteins were reduced. The surface expression was demonstrated by antibody-sensitized monodisperse polystyrene beads, and immunoblotting and two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of radioisotope-labeled proteins were used to study the total production.

The UL97 gene product of human cytomegalovirus is an early-late protein with a nuclear localization but is not a nucleoside kinase

The temporal expression of the UL97 gene product during human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) and subcellular localization of this protein were analyzed by using a polyclonal antiserum raised against a truncated UL97 protein of 47 kDa. The UL97 protein was detectable 16 h after infection by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. Since only reduced UL97 expression occurred in the presence of two inhibitors of DNA replication, phosphonoacetic acid and ganciclovir, we conclude that UL97 is an early-late gene, requiring DNA replication for maximum expression. By indirect immunofluorescence, the protein could be visualized in the nuclei of virus-infected HFF 22 h after infection. Nuclear localization of the UL97 protein was also detected in thymidine kinase-deficient 143B cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the entire UL97 open reading frame (ORF), as well as in HFF transiently expressing the entire UL97 ORF under the control of HCMV major immediate-early promoter. However, transiently expressed 5'-terminal deletion mutants of the UL97 ORF in addition showed a cytoplasmic localization of the UL97 protein, confirming the presence of a nuclear localization site in the N-terminal region of the protein. Our high-pressure liquid chromatography analyses confirmed the ganciclovir phosphorylation by the UL97 protein, but no specific phosphorylation of natural nucleosides was observed, indicating that the UL97 protein is not a nucleoside kinase. During plaque purification of recombinant UL97-deficient HCMV, this virus was growth defective; hence, we presume that UL97 may be essential for the viral life cycle.

Initiation of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase polypeptides

When employed as a transgene reporter, the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV1) thymidine kinase gene (tk) is ectopically expressed in mouse testis. The principal testicular mRNA lacks the 5'-end of the tk reading frame. As a result the principal translation products, P2 and P3, are N-terminally truncated. These co-migrate in SDS-PAGE with polypeptides synthesised during HSV1 infection that were previously thought to be initiated at methionine codons ATG46 and ATG60. Prompted by these observations we generated modified tk genes each carrying only one of the first three ATG codons. Transfected cells expressed both full-length enzyme (P1) and P2 when only ATG1 was unmodified, P2 and P3 when only ATG46 was unmodified or P2 and a fourth polypeptide (P4) when only ATG60 was unmodified. Our observations indicate that P3 is initiated at ATG46 rather than ATG60, while P2 is initiated at a non-ATG codon rather than ATG46 and P4 is initiated at ATG60. When either of two putative non-ATG initiation codons was modified P2 was no longer produced. Cells mainly expressing either P1 or P3 exhibited the same sensitivity to Ganciclovir as cells transfected with the unaltered tk gene. P1 and P3 both have TK activity while P4 probably has none.

Labeling of surface proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 using a modified biotin-streptavidin system

Methods of labeling surface proteins on herpes simplex virus (HSV) which have minimal effect on the biological activity of the virus are useful for the study of both the localization and function(s) of surface proteins. The present work describes a procedure using a water-soluble biotin compound, sulfo-NHS-biotin, which is unable to penetrate biological membranes and reacts with primary amines in proteins. Labeled proteins were detected by binding of [125I]streptavidin. Specific reaction with surface proteins was shown in Western blots using antibodies against selected proteins in the envelope or in the tegument. Proteins susceptible to iodination were also biotinylated, but the efficiency of labeling varied from one protein to another. As a result of freezing and thawing of the virus, as well as the manipulations involved in Ficoll gradient purification, internal proteins were labeled. The infectivity of the virus was reduced by approximately 40% after biotinylation. Labeled viruses were visualized by fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated streptavidin, and seen as distinct spots on the surface of the cells.

Site-directed mutagenesis clarifies the substrate position within the three-dimensional model of the active site of herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to experimentally verify the 3D model of the active site of herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV 1 TK) obtained by homology modelling. For this purpose, D215 and K317 were replaced by R and G, respectively, at homologous positions in the aciclovir-insensitive bovine herpes virus type-1 thymidine kinase (BHV 1 TK). Wild-type and mutated enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli using a gene fusion vector and purified to homogeneity. While both mutants had the same Km value for thymidine as the recombinant wild-type enzyme (0.2 microM), Vmax was decreased to 20-25% of the original wild-type value. The recombinant wild-type enzyme was inhibited by the substrate analogue aciclovir with a Ki of 146 microM. Both mutants were able to phosphorylate aciclovir to about the same extent as the wild-type enzyme. These findings suggest that neither D215 nor K317 are directly involved in substrate binding. Therefore, a rearrangement of the 3D model is suggested, concerning the assignment of the substrate-binding site and co-substrate-binding site at the right and left side of the phosphate-binding loop, respectively.

Site-directed mutagenesis in the active site of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene

The thymidine kinase (TK) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) contains three regions of homology to other ATP utilizing enzymes. We have altered one region of the protein, which seems to play an important role in phosphorylation substrates by site-directed mutagenesis. When the aspartate 162 was changed to asparagine, the enzyme lost its activity. To identify the inactive protein, expressed by a vaccinia vector in eukaryotic cells, a monospecific antiserum against a bacterial tryptophan E-HSV-1 TK fusion protein was made. These results support the suggestion that aspartate 162 is essential for the enzymatic activity.

Identification of a novel latency-specific splice donor signal within the herpes simplex virus type 1 2.0-kilobase latency-associated transcript (LAT): translation inhibition of LAT open reading frames by the intron within the 2.0-kilobase LAT

Herpes simplex virus type 1 establishes latent infection in trigeminal ganglia of mice infected via the eye. A family of three colinear viral transcripts (LATs), 2.0, 1.5, and 1.45 kb, is present in latently infected ganglia. To characterize these LATs, lambda gt10 cDNA libraries were constructed with RNAs isolated from the trigeminal ganglia of latently infected mice. A series of recombinant bacteriophage were isolated containing cDNA inserts covering 1.7 kb of the 2.0-kb LAT. Splice junctions of the smaller LATs and the 3' end of the 2.0-kb LAT were identified by sequence analysis of RNA polymerase chain reaction products. No splice acceptor site, which does not support the hypotheses that the 2.0-kb LAT is an intron. However, the data are consistent with the possibility of a short leader sequence or multiple LAT transcription start sites. To generate the smaller 1.5- and 1.45-kb LATs, there is a 559-nucleotide intron spliced from the 2.0-kb LAT in strain F and a 556-nucleotide intron in strain 17+. The nucleotide sequences at the 5' and 3' ends of these introns are characteristic of spliced transcripts from eukaryotic protein-encoding genes, with one significant difference; i.e., the 5' end of the LAT intron is GC instead of the consensus sequence GT. This splice donor sequence is conserved in herpes simplex virus type 1 strains F, 17+, and KOS. Processing of the 2.0-kb LAT to form the spliced LATs preserves two open reading frames (ORFs) at the 3' end of the LATs; no new ORFs are created. Splicing of the LATs positions a 276-nucleotide leader sequence close to these ORFs and removes an intron that inhibits their translation in vitro. The novel 5' structure of the intron within the 2.0-kb LAT may be part of a control mechanism for transcription processing that results in splicing of the LATs only in sensory neurons during latent infection and reactivation but not during the viral replication cycle.

Transient expression of deletion mutants of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase-encoding gene in mouse fibroblast cells

Previous studies have shown that at least three polypeptides of 43, 39 and 38 kDa are translated from separate AUG codons of the thymidine kinase (TK) encoding mRNA of herpes simplex virus type 1. In addition, small tk-specific transcripts initiated within the tk coding region were observed. However, functional activity of these three proteins and their role in establishing of the TK+ cell phenotype is not yet clear. In order to locate the 5' boundary of the gene encoding functionally active TK, we constructed a set of deletion mutants with truncated 5' ends and examined their ability to provide a TK+ phenotype after microinjection into nuclei of LTK- cells. The results demonstrate that nucleotide sequences upstream from the second ATG codon can be removed without affecting the TK+ phenotype. Deletion of the second start codon and its downstream region inactivates the TK function. Those deletion mutants which contain only the third ATG codon are TK-. Thus, the 38-kDa polypeptide that initiates at the third start codon is not endowed with the TK+ activity. Constructs containing deletions up to nt +210 and lacking all 5'-end canonical and aberrant transcription control regions, as well as first start codon, can provide the TK+ function.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase is expressed in the testes of transgenic mice under the control of a cryptic promoter

We reported previously that the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase reporter gene (tk) was expressed in the testes of transgenic mice when coupled to the promoter of a liver-specific mouse major urinary protein (MUP) gene. Here we show that HSV-1 tk is also expressed in the testis when coupled to a MUP pseudogene promoter, to a truncated MUP promoter that is not active in the liver, and to the promoter of the bovine thyroglobulin gene. Furthermore, HSV-1 tk itself was expressed in the testis, although its normal expression had been disabled by removing an upstream regulator of transcription. In every case, the same multiple transcripts were observed, with their 5' ends located downstream of the normal HSV-1 tk translation initiation codon. We conclude that the transcription of HSV-1 tk in the testis is directed by a cryptic TATA box-independent promoter located in the coding region of the gene. The longest HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) polypeptides synthesized in the testis were shorter than full-length TK and probably result from translational initiation at Met46 and Met60, the second and third ATG codons of the tk reading frame. Male mice of most transgenic lines were sterile, and the severity of the lesion in spermatogenesis was directly related to the level of TK expression. In the most highly expressing lines, sperm counts were low and morphologically defective sperm were common. In other sterile lines, TK was expressed at a lower level and sperm counts were normal but sperm motility was greatly reduced. Lines with the lowest levels of HSV-1 TK expression were fertile. HSV-1 TK was expressed in germ line cells, mainly in the haploid spermatids. However, low-level HSV-1 TK activity was found in the testis before the first germ cells entered meiosis, showing that if expression is confined to the germ cells, it also occurs in spermatogonia.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase is expressed in the testes of transgenic mice under the control of a cryptic promoter

We reported previously that the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase reporter gene (tk) was expressed in the testes of transgenic mice when coupled to the promoter of a liver-specific mouse major urinary protein (MUP) gene. Here we show that HSV-1 tk is also expressed in the testis when coupled to a MUP pseudogene promoter, to a truncated MUP promoter that is not active in the liver, and to the promoter of the bovine thyroglobulin gene. Furthermore, HSV-1 tk itself was expressed in the testis, although its normal expression had been disabled by removing an upstream regulator of transcription. In every case, the same multiple transcripts were observed, with their 5' ends located downstream of the normal HSV-1 tk translation initiation codon. We conclude that the transcription of HSV-1 tk in the testis is directed by a cryptic TATA box-independent promoter located in the coding region of the gene. The longest HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) polypeptides synthesized in the testis were shorter than full-length TK and probably result from translational initiation at Met46 and Met60, the second and third ATG codons of the tk reading frame. Male mice of most transgenic lines were sterile, and the severity of the lesion in spermatogenesis was directly related to the level of TK expression. In the most highly expressing lines, sperm counts were low and morphologically defective sperm were common. In other sterile lines, TK was expressed at a lower level and sperm counts were normal but sperm motility was greatly reduced. Lines with the lowest levels of HSV-1 TK expression were fertile. HSV-1 TK was expressed in germ line cells, mainly in the haploid spermatids. However, low-level HSV-1 TK activity was found in the testis before the first germ cells entered meiosis, showing that if expression is confined to the germ cells, it also occurs in spermatogonia.

Dominant positive and negative selection using a hygromycin phosphotransferase-thymidine kinase fusion gene

The hygromycin phosphotransferase gene was fused in-frame with the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene. The resulting fusion gene (termed HyTK) confers hygromycin B resistance for dominant positive selection and ganciclovir sensitivity for negative selection and provides a means by which these selectable phenotypes may be expressed and regulated as a single genetic entity.

Dominant positive and negative selection using a hygromycin phosphotransferase-thymidine kinase fusion gene

The hygromycin phosphotransferase gene was fused in-frame with the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene. The resulting fusion gene (termed HyTK) confers hygromycin B resistance for dominant positive selection and ganciclovir sensitivity for negative selection and provides a means by which these selectable phenotypes may be expressed and regulated as a single genetic entity.

Generation of anti-peptide and anti-protein sera. Effect of peptide presentation on immunogenicity

The technique of Fmoc chemistry has been applied successfully to the synthesis of branched peptides. The immunogenicity of branched peptides has been compared quantitatively with those of protein-conjugated and resin-linked peptides. Six different peptide sequences were used to immunise rabbits and both antipeptide and anti-protein titres were determined for each serum. The data show that the titres of sera from rabbits immunised with branched peptides were higher than those of rabbits immunised with protein-conjugated peptides which in turn were higher than those immunised with resin-linked peptides. The effect was demonstrated with two strains of rabbits.

Analysis of the thymidine kinase gene from clinically isolated acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex viruses

The isolation and description of acyclovir-resistant (ACVR) herpes simplex-2 viruses from patients with AIDS has recently been reported. These ACVR viruses were all markedly decreased in their thymidine kinase (TK) activity, and 6 of 10 of these TK viruses were able to establish latency. In addition, one of these isolates, ACVR-86012 was neuropathogenic in a murine encephalitis model. In this paper, the characteristics of these isolates with respect to TK polypeptide synthesis are examined. All but one isolate synthesized a detectable TK protein by immunoprecipitation, and 9/10 of the TK proteins had an altered electrophoretic mobility as compared to wild-type. The TK polypeptide from the neuropathogenic isolate ACVR-86012 was full-length and the gene was sequenced. An amino acid change from a glutamine to a proline at amino acid residue 105 was detected compared to the wild-type HSV-333 strain. These results indicate that an amino acid change in the NH2 portion of the TK protein is associated with a full-length peptide with decreased enzyme activity but the virus retains neuropathic virulence.

In-vitro synthesis of functional varicella zoster and herpes simplex viral thymidine kinase

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase (TK) genes were cloned into the transcription vector pGEM4. In-vitro translation (ivt) of RNA transcribed from these genes showed prominent expression of functional TK proteins with the expected molecular weights of 36 kD for VZV and 43, 39, and 38 kD for HSV-1. The TK proteins were recognized by rabbit anti-VZV and anti-HSV-1 antibodies, respectively. Analysis of the ivt products by thin-layer chromatography revealed the conversion of thymidine to its phosphorylated forms (TMP, TDP, and TTP) by both the VZV and HSV-1 TK genes. The estimated specific activities of the in-vitro translated VZV and HSV-1 TKs were comparable. VZV TK templates were linearized at internal restriction sites and RNAs transcribed from these templates directed the synthesis of polypeptides with sizes consistent with the colinearity of the VZV TK gene. Deletion of 107 amino acids at the carboxy terminus of the VZV TK gene abolished the in-vitro TK activity. In addition, immunoprecipitation of truncated proteins synthesized in vitro suggested the possible involvement of the region between amino acid residues 101 and 168 from the amino terminus of the VZV TK molecule in the formation of structures necessary for antigenicity.

The scanning model for translation: an update

The small (40S) subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes is believed to bind initially at the capped 5'-end of messenger RNA and then migrate, stopping at the first AUG codon in a favorable context for initiating translation. The first-AUG rule is not absolute, but there are rules for breaking the rule. Some anomalous observations that seemed to contradict the scanning mechanism now appear to be artifacts. A few genuine anomalies remain unexplained.

Effect of an amber mutation in the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene on polypeptide synthesis and stability

KG111 is a mutant of herpes simplex virus (HSV), strain KOS, that exhibits temperature-dependent drug resistance. For example, it is almost as resistant as a thymidine kinase (tk)-deficient virus at 39 degrees, but is relatively sensitive to acyclovir at 34 degrees, Using marker transfer techniques, we have mapped the mutation conferring temperature-dependent drug resistance in KG111 to the 5' portion of the tk gene. Sequencing of this region revealed an amber mutation at codon 44, which lies between the first and second methionine codons of the tk polypeptide. This mutation is identical to that found in TK4, an HSV mutant derived from Cl 101 (L. Haarr et al., 1985, J. Virol. 56, 512-519). Analyses of immunoprecipitated tk proteins from KG111- and TK4-infected cells showed that KG111 and TK4 do not synthesize full-length tk polypeptides, but instead produce a truncated form of the protein. Small amounts of a similar truncated tk polypeptide are also produced in wild-type-infected cells and are thought to arise from initiation at a downstream AUG. The relative amounts and size of the mutant tk proteins compared with those of the wild-type are consistent with the amber mutation eliminating translation of full-length polypeptide and causing a four- to fivefold increase in the utilization of downstream AUG codons for initiation. The truncated polypeptides specified by KG111 and TK4 are less stable than the full-length polypeptide at 39 degrees, which may contribute to the conditional drug-resistant phenotype. On the other hand, the truncated polypeptides normally expressed by wild-type virus at low levels and the more highly expressed truncated tk polypeptides from a deletion mutant are relatively stable at 39 degrees. These results suggest that stability of the truncated tk polypeptide is influenced by the amount of tk present.

Low levels of herpes simplex virus thymidine- thymidylate kinase are not limiting for sensitivity to certain antiviral drugs or for latency in a mouse model

Herpes simplex virus mutant KG111 contains a nonsense mutation at codon 44 of the viral thymidine kinase (tk) gene and produces low amounts of a truncated tk polypeptide. We tested mutant KG111 and related viruses that specify varying amounts of similar truncated tk polypeptides for their sensitivities to antiviral nucleoside analogs at different temperatures using plaque reduction assays. The results of these assays showed that the nonsense mutation confers high resistance to bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVdU) at any temperature and temperature-dependent resistance to acyclovir (ACV), buciclovir (BCV), ganciclovir (DHPG), and fluoroiodoarabinouracil (FIAU). Above relatively low threshold levels of tk that varied depending on the drug tested, viruses exhibited full sensitivity to ACV, BCV, DHPG, and FIAU at 34 degrees. Below these threshold levels, however, decreases in drug sensitivity were linear with decreases in tk levels, forming the basis of a pharmacological assay for tk gene expression. Studies of thymidine (TdR) anabolism in infected 143 tk-cells showed that when high TdR concentrations were added to the medium, KG111 directed thymidine monophosphate (TMP) formation at rates consonant with the amount of tk polypeptide produced by the mutant. When low concentrations to TdR were added to the medium, however, KG111 directed TMP formation at a rate similar to that directed by wild-type virus, indicating that the truncation of the tk polypeptide had little or no effect on tk activity at 34 degrees. Subsequent anabolism to thymidine diphosphate and thymidine triphosphate was reduced in KG111-infected cells, indicating a defect in TMP kinase activity that explains this mutant's resistance to BVdU. Despite the low levels of tk and TMP kinase activity expressed by KG111, this mutant established reactivatable latent infections as efficiently as wild-type virus in a mouse model.

Polycistronic animal virus mRNAs

This chapter discusses some observations concerning the natural occurrence and structural organization of polycistronic animal virus mRNAs, and the mechanisms by which they may be translated to yield two or more unique polypeptide products. In most polycistronic viral mRNAs, initiation of translation of both the 5’-proximal, upstream cistron and the internal, downstream cistron(s) likewise occurs at an AUG codon. Animal viruses encoding polycistronic mRNAs in which translation-initiation occurs alternatively at one or more AUG initiation sites, include members of several virus families that utilize a variety of different replication strategies as parts of their life cycles. They include: 1. viruses with DNA genomes and viruses with RNA genomes; 2. viruses with circular genomes and viruses with linear genomes; 3. viruses whose genomes are constituted by a single piece of nucleic acid, as well as viruses with segmented genomes; and 4. viruses that utilize the cell nucleus as the site for mRNA biogenesis, as well as viruses whose mRNA is synthesized in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, many different biochemical mechanisms may exist in animal cells to permit the expression of functionally polycistronic viral mRNAs.

Analysis of the in vitro translation products of the equine herpesvirus type 1 immediate early mRNA

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) gene expression is coordinately regulated in an alpha, beta, gamma fashion. Viral alpha gene products include a 6.0-kb immediate early (IE) mRNA species (W. L. Gray et al., 1987, Virology 158, 79-87) and at least four closely related IE polypeptides (IEPs) (G.B. Caughman et al., 1985, Virology 145, 49-61). In this report, we describe results obtained from a series of in vitro translation experiments which were performed in an effort to characterize the IEPs and identify the mechanism by which individual IE protein species are generated. Our data indicate that a family of IEPs is generated in vitro from the 6.0-kb mRNA size class and that these IEPs correspond in overall size and antigenicity to those synthesized in infected cells. Using time-course/pulse-chase analyses, we show that production of three of the major IEPs [IE1' (193 kDa), IE3' (166 kDa), and IE4' (130 kDA)] occurs concomitantly, that none of these protein species can be chased completely into another, and that at least two additional minor species appear to be processed following synthesis. Finally, we show that the 6.0-kb mRNA species isolated during early or late stages of the infection cycle can be translated to yield all of the major IE proteins, indicating that production of the family of IEPs is not dependent upon accumulation of the IE mRNA which occurs during a cycloheximide blocked infection cycle. The implications of these findings are discussed as they relate to the origin and production of the IEPs both in vivo and in vitro.

Expression of the human cardiac actin gene in differentiating rat skeletal myoblasts

The human cardiac-actin (CH-actin) gene was transfected into rat L6 skeletal myoblasts and stable transformants were isolated. The level of the CH-actin transcript varied between clones but changed little during the differentiation of myoblasts into multinucleate myotubes. Chimeric genes were constructed in which the CH-actin promoter, first non-coding exon (44 bp), and first intron (about 700 bp) were linked to the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) coding region. Clones of L6 cells transformed with these chimeric genes contained variable levels of actin-tk mRNA which changed little during differentiation. Thus, the activity of the CH-actin promoter appeared not to be up-regulated upon differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. In clones of cells expressing the actin-tk mRNA, the TK protein was not detected in myoblasts but appeared in differentiating multinucleate myotubes. We interpret these results as suggesting developmentally regulated translation of the actin-tk mRNA. Since the first 44 nucleotides of the actin-tk mRNA were derived from the 5'-untranslated region of the CH-actin mRNA. These experiments suggest that translation of the actin-tk mRNA may be controlled by this region.

Identification of the gene encoding the 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein of herpes simplex virus type 1

Hybrid arrest of in vitro translation was used to localize the region of the herpes simplex virus type 1 genome encoding the 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein (65KDBP) to between genome coordinates 0.592 and 0.649. Knowledge of the DNA sequence of this region allowed us to identify three open reading frames as likely candidates for the gene encoding 65KDBP. Two independent approaches were used to determine which of these three open reading frames encoded the protein. For the first approach a monoclonal antibody, MAb 6898, which reacted specifically with 65KDBP, was isolated. This antibody was used, with the techniques of hybrid arrest of in vitro translation and in vitro translation of selected mRNA, to identify the gene encoding 65KDBP. The second approach involved preparation of antisera directed against oligopeptides corresponding to regions of the predicted amino acid sequence of this gene. These antisera reacted specifically with 65KDBP, thus confirming the gene assignment.

Regulated expression of a transfected human cardiac actin gene during differentiation of multipotential murine embryonal carcinoma cells

P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are multipotential stem cells which can be induced to differentiate in vitro into a variety of cell types, including cardiac muscle cells. A cloned human cardiac actin (CH-actin) gene was transfected into P19 cells, and stable transformants were isolated. Low levels of CH-actin mRNA were present in transformed EC cells, but a marked increase in the level of CH-actin mRNA was found as these cells differentiated into cardiac muscle. The accumulation of CH-actin mRNA paralleled that of the endogenous mouse cardiac actin mRNA. A chimeric gene, which consisted of the CH-actin promoter linked to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase coding region, was constructed and transfected into P19 cells. In these transformants, the thymidine kinase protein was located almost exclusively in cardiac muscle cells and was generally not detectable in EC or other nonmuscle cells. These results suggest that the transfected CH-actin promoter functions in the appropriate developmental and tissue-specific manner during the differentiation of multipotential EC cells in culture.

Regulated expression of a transfected human cardiac actin gene during differentiation of multipotential murine embryonal carcinoma cells

P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are multipotential stem cells which can be induced to differentiate in vitro into a variety of cell types, including cardiac muscle cells. A cloned human cardiac actin (CH-actin) gene was transfected into P19 cells, and stable transformants were isolated. Low levels of CH-actin mRNA were present in transformed EC cells, but a marked increase in the level of CH-actin mRNA was found as these cells differentiated into cardiac muscle. The accumulation of CH-actin mRNA paralleled that of the endogenous mouse cardiac actin mRNA. A chimeric gene, which consisted of the CH-actin promoter linked to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase coding region, was constructed and transfected into P19 cells. In these transformants, the thymidine kinase protein was located almost exclusively in cardiac muscle cells and was generally not detectable in EC or other nonmuscle cells. These results suggest that the transfected CH-actin promoter functions in the appropriate developmental and tissue-specific manner during the differentiation of multipotential EC cells in culture.

Evidence that neomycin inhibits binding of herpes simplex virus type 1 to the cellular receptor

The effect of neomycin, a phosphoinositide-binding aminoglycoside, on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of BHK cells was studied. We showed earlier that it specifically inhibits HSV-1 production but not HSV-2 production (Langeland et al., Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 141:198-203, 1986). We now show that neomycin had no effect on cellular protein synthesis, as judged by the appearance of 35S-labeled polypeptides separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Virus-induced polypeptides, however, were strongly inhibited at neomycin concentrations above 2 mM. Comparison among different aminoglycosides showed a variation in inhibition of HSV-1 production that paralleled the cationic charge of the aminoglycosides. HSV-1 receptor binding at 4 degrees C was completely inhibited by neomycin. At 37 degrees C both receptor binding and internalization, as measured by an indirect assay, appeared to be inhibited by more than 90%. The effect of neomycin on the infection was almost immediate upon the addition of the drug and preceded virus internalization. Possible mechanisms of the neomycin effect are discussed.

The 65,000-Mr DNA-binding and virion trans-inducing proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1

The possible identity of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) 65K (65,000-Mr) virion protein which stimulates transcription from immediate-early genes with the HSV-1 65K DNA-binding protein was investigated. The two proteins were found to be distinct by the three separate criteria of immunological reactivity, tryptic peptide fingerprinting, and mobility in two-dimensional gels. Using HSV-1/HSV-2 intertypic recombinants and a serotype-specific antiserum, we located the gene encoding the 65K DNA-binding protein between coordinates 0.574 and 0.682 on the HSV-1 genome. The protein is posttranslationally modified by phosphorylation. In crude extracts of HSV-1-infected cells the 65K trans-inducing protein did not detectably bind to double-stranded calf thymus DNA under the conditions of our assay.

A major internal initiation site for the in vitro translation of the adenovirus DNA polymerase

An open reading frame which encodes at least 90% of the adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase gene was cloned behind the SP6 promoter and transcribed in vitro using the SP6 RNA polymerase. The resultant RNA was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte cell free system. In addition to the translation of a 120-kDa protein corresponding to the size of the complete open reading frame, the synthesis of a 62-kDa polypeptide was demonstrated. Data is presented to show that the synthesis of the 62-kDa polypeptide resulted from internal initiation of translation in frame in the middle of the message at the 11th or 12th AUG. Capping of the mRNA resulted in an increase in synthesis of the 120-kDa protein and a concordant decrease of the internally initiated polypeptide. We propose that there may be competition between the binding of the translational preinitiation complex at or near the 5' end of the mRNA and at the internal initiation site. Because of inhibition of synthesis of the 120-kDa but not the 62-kDa polypeptide by hybrid arrested translation using DNA complementary to approximately one third of the 5' Ad Pol mRNA sequences, scanning of the ribosome from the 5' end of the mRNA to the internal initiation site seemed unlikely. The sequence proximal to the 12th AUG is ACCCACCCCAUG which is similar to a noncontinuous sequence 5'AUCCACC(X)nAUG complementary to the 3' end of the 18 S rRNA. This sequence is a favored ribosome binding site based on the observation that it is the most commonly observed one at or near the 5' end of 162 mRNA's analyzed (D. R. Sargan, S. P. Gregory, and P. H. W. Butterworth, 1982, FEBS Lett. 147, 133-136).

Two glycoproteins are produced from the rotavirus neutralization gene

The major neutralization antigen of rotaviruses is an outer capsid glycoprotein, VP7, with an apparent molecular weight of 38,000 (38K). The simian rotavirus SA11 genome segment 9, which codes for VP7, contains two in-phase initiation codons, each of which is followed by a sequence that codes for a region of hydrophobic amino acids. We have determined that this gene is functionally bicistronic by analyzing the synthesis of VP7 in SA11-infected cells and in cell-free translation systems programmed with hybrid-selected, segment 9 specific mRNA and dog pancreatic microsomes. The translation of hybrid-selected gene 9 mRNA in wheat germ extracts yielded two distinct polypeptides of molecular weights 37K and 35.3K. In vitro translation in the presence of microsomes yielded one diffuse band of 38K that was converted into the 37K and 35.3K precursor bands by digestion with endoglycosidase H. Studies with a variant of SA11 that lacks the glycosylation site in VP7 confirmed these precursor-product relationships and extended them by indicating that the glycoprotein produced by translation from the first AUG contained a cleaved signal sequence whereas the glycoprotein produced by translation from the second AUG contained an uncleaved signal sequence. Immunoprecipitation with monospecific anti-VP7 serum and improved gel electrophoresis conditions allowed us to show that both VP7s were expressed at similar times in infected cells and both were found in purified virus particles of several different rotavirus strains. Whether these two VP7 glycoproteins are functionally distinct remains to be determined.

Influences of mRNA secondary structure on initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes

Oligonucleotides designed to create hairpin structures were inserted upstream from the ATG initiator codon in several plasmids that encode preproinsulin, and the effects on translation were monitored in COS cells transfected by the vectors. Creation of a hairpin (delta G = -30 kcal/mol) that directly involves the ATG triplet at the start of the preproinsulin coding sequence does not reduce the yield of proinsulin. However, a more stable stem-and-loop structure (delta G = -50 kcal/mol) reduces the proinsulin yield by 85-95%. The stable hairpin inhibits even when it occurs at the midpoint of the 5' untranslated sequence and thus involves neither the cap nor the ATG codon. Presumably the migrating 40S ribosomal subunit can melt moderately stable duplexes but stalls at structures (delta G = -50 kcal/mol) that resist unfolding. Other experiments argue against the idea that sequestering the 5'-proximal ATG codon in a hairpin structure might allow it to be skipped by ribosomes in favor of an exposed ATG triplet farther downstream: when the primary sequence around the first ATG triplet is favorable for initiation, no translation from a downstream site can be detected, irrespective of whether the first ATG codon is single-stranded or base-paired.

The 10K virion phosphoprotein encoded by gene US9 from herpes simplex virus type 1

Gene US9 of herpes simplex virus type 1 has been predicted, from DNA sequence analysis, to encode a protein of mol wt 10,026, designated 10K (D.J. McGeoch, A. Dolan, S. Donald, and F.J. Rixon (1985). J. Mol. Biol. 181, 1-13). We have investigated this protein by using a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 11 amino acids adjacent to the amino-terminal methionine and rasing antisera in rabbits. One antiserum was able to precipitate at least 12 electrophoretically distinct polypeptide species from extracts of BHK cells infected with HSV-1. The estimated molecular weights of these polypeptides ranged from 12K to 20K and immunoblotting showed them to be related proteins. The primary translation product has an apparent mol wt of 13K. The various forms of 10K differ in their relative abundance in the infected cell and also in their degree of phosphorylation. Lower molecular weight forms of the 10K protein can be precipitated from NP-40 extracts of HSV-1 virions, suggesting that these forms of 10K are contained in the virion tegument or envelope. An association between this protein and nucleocapsids has also been observed in the nuclei of infected cells by immunoelectron microscopy. These observations imply that the product of US9 is a tegument protein which becomes associated with nucleocapsids at, or soon after, their formation in the nuclei of infected cells.

Regulation of protein synthesis in virus-infected animal cells

This chapter summarizes the structural features that govern the translation of viral mRNAs: where the synthesis of a protein starts and ends, how many proteins can be produced from one mRNA, and how efficiently. It focuses on the interplay between viral and cellular mRNAs and the translational machinery. That interplay, together with the intrinsic structure of viral mRNAs, determines the patterns of translation in infected cells. It also points out some possibilities for translational regulation that can only be glimpsed at present, but are likely to come into focus in the future. The mechanism of selecting the initiation site for protein synthesis appears to follow a single formula. The translational machinery displays a certain flexibility that is exploited more frequently by viral than by cellular mRNAs. Although some of the parameters that determine efficiency have been identified, how efficiently a given mRNA will be translated cannot be predicted by summing the known parameters.