The hepatitis B virus X protein increases the cellular level of TATA-binding protein, which mediates transactivation of RNA polymerase III genes

Drosophila as a Model for Human Viral Neuroinfections

The study of human neurological infection faces many technical and ethical challenges. While not as common as mammalian models, the use of Drosophila (fruit fly) in the investigation of virus–host dynamics is a powerful research tool. In this review, we focus on the benefits and caveats of using Drosophila as a model for neurological infections and neuroimmunity. Through the examination of in vitro, in vivo and transgenic systems, we highlight select examples to illustrate the use of flies for the study of exogenous and endogenous viruses associated with neurological disease. In each case, phenotypes in Drosophila are compared to those in human conditions. In addition, we discuss antiviral drug screening in flies and how investigating virus–host interactions may lead to novel antiviral drug targets. Together, we highlight standardized and reproducible readouts of fly behaviour, motor function and neurodegeneration that permit an accurate assessment of neurological outcomes for the study of viral infection in fly models. Adoption of Drosophila as a valuable model system for neurological infections has and will continue to guide the discovery of many novel virus–host interactions.

Abnormal expression of TFIIIB subunits and RNA Pol III genes is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

The levels of the products of RNA polymerase III-dependent genes (Pol III genes), including tRNAs and 5S rRNA, are elevated in transformed and tumor cells, which potentiate tumorigenesis. TFIIB-related factor 1 (Brf1) is a key transcription factor and specifically regulates the transcription of Pol III genes. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that a decrease in Brf1 reduces Pol III gene transcription and is sufficient for inhibiting cell transformation and tumor formation. Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulation of Brf1 and Pol III genes is linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans and animals. We have reported that Brf1 is overexpressed in human liver cancer patients and that those with high Brf1 levels have shorter survivals. This review summarizes the effects of dysregulation of these genes on HCC and their regulation by signaling pathways and epigenetics. These novel data should help us determine the molecular mechanisms of HCC from a different perspective and guide the development of therapeutic approaches for HCC patients.

Alcohol-associated cancer and deregulation of Pol III genes

Emerging evidence indicates that alcohol intake is associated with human cancers in different organs. However, the molecular mechanism of alcohol-associated human cancers remains to be elucidated. Here, this paper aimed to clarify a novel mechanism of alcohol-promoted cell transformation and tumor development. Alcohol induces JNK1 activation and increases cellular levels of c-Jun to upregulate Brf1 expression and Pol III gene transcription, leading to an enhancement of rates of cell transformation and tumor formation.

Hepatitis B Virus X and Regulation of Viral Gene Expression

The efficient replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires the HBV regulatory hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein. The exact contributions of HBx are not fully understood, in part because of the limitations of the assays used for its study. When HBV replication is driven from a plasmid DNA, the contribution of HBx is modest. However, there is an absolute requirement for HBx in assays that recapitulate the infectious virus life cycle. There is much evidence that HBx can contribute directly to HBV replication by acting on viral promoters embedded within protein coding sequences. In addition, HBx may also contribute indirectly by modulating cellular pathways to benefit virus replication. Understanding the mechanism(s) of HBx action during virus replication may provide insight into novel ways to disrupt chronic HBV replication.

The HBx oncoprotein of hepatitis B virus potentiates cell transformation by inducing c-Myc-dependent expression of the RNA polymerase I transcription factor UBF

Background

The HBx oncoprotein of hepatitis B virus has been implicated in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBx engages multiple signalling and growth-promoting pathways to induce cell proliferation and enhance ribosome biogenesis. Interestingly, the levels of Upstream Binding Factor (UBF) required for rDNA transcription and ribosome biogenesis are found elevated in the HCC patients. However, the molecular mechanism of UBF overexpression under the HBx microenvironment and consequent cell transformation remains elusive.

Methods

The UBF gene expression was investigated after co-expressing HBx in immortalized human hepatocytes (IHH) and human hepatoma Huh7 cells. Gene expression analysis involved estimation of mRNA level by real-time PCR, western blotting of protein, chromatin immune-precipitation assay, BrdU incorporation assay and soft agar colony formation assay. UBF expression was also investigated in an HBx transgenic mouse model of HCC to get a better mechanistic insight under more physiological conditions.

Results

Ectopic expression of HBx in IHH as well as Huh7 cells led to a marked increase in UBF expression both at mRNA and protein levels. Elevated levels of UBF were also observed in the hepatic tumors of HBx transgenic mice. Our ChIP studies revealed a marked increase in the occupancy of c-Myc on the UBF gene promoter in the presence of HBx and increase in its transcription. Enhanced UBF expression under the HBx microenvironment led to a marked increase in cell proliferation and transformation of IHH cells.

Conclusions

Our study provides some compelling evidences in support of HBx-mediated increase in UBF levels that abets oncogenic onslaught in hepatic cells by increasing rDNA transcription and ribosome biogenesis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12985-015-0293-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hepatitis B virus X protein and c-Myc cooperate in the upregulation of ribosome biogenesis and in cellular transformation

Viral and cellular oncogenes are well known to enhance rRNA synthesis, leading to increased ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. Our study on the molecular underpinnings of the interaction between viral HBx and c-Myc, which is implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, showed a marked increase in the biosynthesis of rRNA, ribosomes and protein in hepatoma cells. A profound alteration in the nucleolar morphology and biochemical content of these cells was also observed. Increased biosynthetic activity was associated with increased cell proliferation and transformation of immortalized human hepatocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of RNA polymerase III activity impaired the proliferative advantage of hepatoma cells and transformation of immortalized hepatocytes as effectively as cisplatin treatment. These findings were corroborated in a transgenic HBx-myc microenvironment, in which an elevated hepatic level of rRNA was associated with conspicuous morphological and biochemical changes in the hepatocytic nucleoli. Thus, HBx and c-Myc seem to work cooperatively to support ribosome biogenesis and cellular transformation.

Identification of the common regulators for hepatocellular carcinoma induced by hepatitis B virus X antigen in a mouse model

Hepatitis B virus X antigen plays an important role in the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The key regulators controlling the temporal downstream gene expression for HCC progression remains unknown. In this study, we took advantage of systems biology approach and analyzed the microarray data of the HBx transgenic mouse as a screening process to identify the differentially expressed genes and applied the software Pathway Studio to identify potential pathways and regulators involved in HCC. Using subnetwork enrichment analysis, we identified five common regulator genes: EDN1, BMP7, BMP4, SPIB and SRC. Upregulation of the common regulators was validated in the other independent HBx transgenic mouse lines. Furthermore, we verified the correlation of their RNA expression levels by using the human HCC samples, and their protein levels by using the human liver disease tissue arrays. EDN1, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 and BMP7 were upregulated in cirrhosis, BMP4, BMP7 and SRC were further upregulated in hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinoma samples. The trend of increasing expression of the common regulators correlates well with the progression of human liver cancer. Overexpression of the common regulators increases the cell viability, promotes migration and invasiveness and enhances the colony formation ability in Hep3B cells. Our approach allows us to identify the critical genes in hepatocarcinogenesis in an HBx-induced mouse model. The validation of the gene expressions in the liver cancer of human patients and their cellular function assays suggests that the identified common regulators may serve as useful molecular targets for the early-stage diagnosis or therapy for HCC.

RNA polymerase III transcription in cancer: the BRF2 connection

RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription is responsible for the transcription of small, untranslated RNAs involved in fundamental metabolic processes such mRNA processing (U6 snRNA) and translation (tRNAs). RNA pol III transcription contributes to the regulation of the biosynthetic capacity of a cell and a direct link exists between cancer cell proliferation and deregulation of RNA pol III transcription. Accurate transcription by RNA pol III requires TFIIIB, a known target of regulation by oncogenes and tumor suppressors. There have been significant advances in our understanding of how TFIIIB-mediated transcription is deregulated in a variety of cancers. Recently, BRF2, a component of TFIIIB required for gene external RNA pol III transcription, was identified as an oncogene in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung through integrative genomic analysis. In this review, we focus on recent advances demonstrating how BRF2-TFIIIB mediated transcription is regulated by tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Additionally, we present novel data further confirming the role of BRF2 as an oncogene, extracted from the Oncomine database, a cancer microarray database containing datasets derived from patient samples, providing evidence that BRF2 has the potential to be used as a biomarker for patients at risk for metastasis. This data further supports the idea that BRF2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in a variety of cancers.

Cell growth- and differentiation-dependent regulation of RNA polymerase III transcription

RNA polymerase III transcribes small untranslated RNAs that fulfill essential cellular functions in regulating transcription, RNA processing, translation and protein translocation. RNA polymerase III transcription activity is tightly regulated during the cell cycle and coupled to growth control mechanisms. Furthermore, there are reports of changes in RNA polymerase III transcription activity during cellular differentiation, including the discovery of a novel isoform of human RNA polymerase III that has been shown to be specifically expressed in undifferentiated human H1 embryonic stem cells. Here, we review major regulatory mechanisms of RNA polymerase III transcription during the cell cycle, cell growth and cell differentiation.

Non-coding RNA production by RNA polymerase III is implicated in cancer

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) makes a variety of small non-coding RNAs, such as tRNA and 5S ribosomal RNA. Increased expression of pol III products is often observed in transformed cells. Much progress has been made in determining how Pol III-dependent transcription is regulated and how it increases in cancers, but the importance of this increase has not been clearly established. New evidence suggests that Pol III output can substantially affect transformation.

Enhanced RNA polymerase III-dependent transcription is required for oncogenic transformation

RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription, responsible for the synthesis of various stable RNAs, including 5 S rRNAs and tRNAs, is regulated by oncogenic proteins and tumor suppressors. Although it is well established that RNA pol III-dependent transcription is deregulated in transformed cells and malignant tumors, it has not been determined whether this represents a cause or consequence of these processes. We show that Rat1a fibroblasts undergoing oncogenic transformation by the TATA-binding protein or c-Myc display enhanced RNA pol III transcription. Decreased expression of the RNA pol III-specific transcription factor Brf1 prevented this increase in RNA pol III transcription. Although the overall proliferation rates of these cells remained unchanged, the ability of cells to grow in an anchorage-independent manner and form tumors in mice was markedly reduced. Although overexpression of Brf1 modestly stimulated RNA pol III transcription, expression of a phosphomimic, Brf1-T145D, more significantly induced transcription. However, these increases in transcription were not sufficient to promote cellular transformation. Together, these results demonstrate that enhanced RNA pol III transcription is essential for anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenesis and that these events can be uncoupled from effects on anchorage-dependent proliferation.

Mammalian Maf1 is a negative regulator of transcription by all three nuclear RNA polymerases

Most eukaryotic transcriptional regulators act in an RNA polymerase (Pol)-selective manner. Here we show that the human Maf1 protein negatively regulates transcription by all three nuclear Pols. Changes in Maf1 expression affect Pol I- and Pol III-dependent transcription in human glioblastoma lines. These effects are mediated, in part, through the ability of Maf1 to repress transcription of the TATA binding protein, TBP. Maf1 targets an Elk-1-binding site in the TBP promoter, and its occupancy of this region is reciprocal with that of Elk-1. Similarly, Maf1 occupancy of Pol III genes is inversely correlated with that of the initiation factor TFIIIB and Pol III. The phenotypic consequences of reducing Maf1 expression include changes in cell morphology and the accumulation of actin stress fibers, whereas Maf1 overexpression suppresses anchorage-independent growth. Together with the ability of Maf1 to reduce biosynthetic capacity, these findings support the idea that Maf1 regulates the transformation state of cells.

TBP is differentially regulated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and JNK2 through Elk-1, controlling c-Jun expression and cell proliferation

Emerging evidence supports the idea that the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) possess overlapping but distinct functions. The potential roles of the ubiquitously expressed JNK1 and JNK2 in regulating expression of the central transcription initiation factor, TATA-binding protein (TBP), were examined. Relative to wild-type fibroblasts, TBP was decreased in Jnk1(-/-) cells and increased in Jnk2(-/-) cells. Similarly, reduction of JNK1 in human hepatoma cells decreased TBP expression, whereas reduction of JNK2 enhanced it. JNK-mediated regulation of TBP expression occurs at the transcriptional level through their ability to target Elk-1, which directly regulates the TBP promoter in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation. JNK1 increases, whereas JNK2 decreases, the phosphorylation state of Elk-1, which differentially affects Elk-1 occupancy at a defined site within the TBP promoter. These JNK-mediated alterations in TBP expression, alone, serve to regulate c-Jun expression and fibroblast proliferation rates. These studies uncovered several new molecular events that distinguish the functions of JNK1 and JNK2 that are critical for their regulation of cellular proliferation.

RNA polymerases I and III, growth control and cancer

Transcription of rRNA and tRNA genes by RNA polymerases I and III is essential for sustained protein synthesis and is therefore a fundamental determinant of the capacity of a cell to grow. When cell growth is not required, this transcription is repressed by retinoblastoma protein, p53 and ARF. However, inactivation of these tumour suppressors in cancers deregulates RNA polymerases I and III, and oncoproteins such as Myc can stimulate these systems further. Such events might have a significant impact on the growth potential of tumours.

Identification of a domain within human TAF(I)48, a subunit of Selectivity Factor 1, that interacts with helix 2 of TBP

RNA polymerase I transcription in human cells requires Selectivity Factor 1, a multisubunit complex composed of the TATA-box-binding protein (TBP) and three TBP-associated factors (TAFs) called TAF(I)48, TAF(I)63 and TAF(I)110. Each of the Selectivity Factor 1 subunits binds directly to the other three components, but these interactions have not been characterized. This study is the initial identification and analysis of a TBP-binding domain within a Selectivity Factor 1 TAF. The interaction between human TBP and human TAF(I)48 was initially examined using the yeast two-hybrid assay, and a TBP-binding domain was identified in the carboxyl-terminus of human (h)TAF(I)48. Consistent with this result, the hTAF(I)48 carboxyl-terminus was able to bind directly to TBP in protein-protein interaction assays. When mutations were introduced into the hTAF(I)48 carboxyl-terminus, we identified changes in uncharged and positive residues that affect its interaction with TBP. By examining TBP mutants, residues within and adjacent to helix 2 of TBP, previously demonstrated to interact with subunits of other TBP-containing complexes [Transcription Factor IID (TFIID) and TFIIIB] were also found to diminish its affinity for the carboxyl-terminus of hTAF(I)48. The regions of hTAF(I)48 and TBP that interact are compared to those identified within other complexes containing TBP.

Epidermal growth factor enhances cellular TATA binding protein levels and induces RNA polymerase I- and III-dependent gene activity

TATA binding protein (TBP) is a central transcription factor used by all three cellular RNA polymerases. Changes in the levels of TBP have been shown to have selective effects on gene activity. Overexpression of TBP has been recently shown to contribute to cellular transformation, and elevated levels of TBP occur in a clinically significant proportion of human colon tumors relative to matched normal tissue. To understand the mechanisms by which TBP is regulated, we have analyzed whether activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a membrane-bound tyrosine receptor kinase that is activated in a large number of human cancers, can serve to regulate cellular TBP. We show that treatment of mouse epidermal cells with EGF produces an increase in TBP levels, which can be blocked with an EGFR-specific inhibitor. In contrast, TBP levels remain unchanged after EGF treatment of EGFR null cells. EGF-mediated increases in TBP are regulated at the transcriptional level, as transient expression of the human TBP promoter is induced with EGF. This regulatory event is dependent upon the downstream activation of Ras and requires the activation of p38, JNK, and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases. The consequence of elevated TBP on gene expression was further determined. Transcription by RNA polymerase (Pol) I and III was induced by EGF. Directly overexpressing TBP also stimulated transcription from these promoters. Thus, we have identified a new and important target of EGFR signaling, TBP, that contributes to EGF-mediated stimulation of RNA Pol I- and III-dependent gene activity. Since the cellular levels of the products of these genes, tRNAs and rRNAs, determine the translational capacity of cells, this event may be an important contributor to the transforming function of EGF.

RNA polymerase III transcription and cancer

RNA polymerase (pol) III synthesizes a range of essential products, including tRNA, 5S rRNA and 7SL RNA, which are required for protein synthesis and trafficking. High rates of pol III transcription are necessary for cells to sustain growth. A wide range of transformed and tumour cell types have been shown to express elevated levels of pol III products. This review will summarize what is known about the mechanisms responsible for this deregulation. Some transforming agents have been shown to stimulate expression of the pol III-specific transcription factors TFIIIB or TFIIIC2. In addition, TFIIIB is bound and activated by several oncogenic proteins, including c-Myc. Conversely, TFIIIB interacts in healthy cells with the tumour suppressors RB and p53. Indeed, the ability to limit pol III transcription through TFIIIB may contribute to their growth-suppression capacities. The function of p53 and/or RB is compromised in most if not all transformed cells; the resultant derepression of TFIIIB may provide an almost universal route to deregulate pol III transcription in cancers. In addition to effects on protein synthesis and growth, there is a precedent for a pol III product having oncogenic activity.

RNA polymerase III transcription--a battleground for tumour suppressors and oncogenes

This review provides a summary of the European Association for Cancer Research Award Lecture, presented at the ECCO12 meeting in Copenhagen in September 2003. It describes what we have learnt about the mechanisms responsible for deregulating RNA polymerase III transcription in transformed cells. A network has been discovered of unanticipated links to key tumour suppressors and oncogenes. Novel functions have been revealed for RB, p53 and c-Myc, that may help explain their profound biological effects.

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The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK induces tRNA synthesis by phosphorylating TFIIIB

RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription increases within minutes of serum addition to growth-arrested fibroblasts. We show that ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases regulate pol III output by directly binding and phosphorylating the BRF1 subunit of transcription factor TFIIIB. Blocking the ERK signalling cascade inhibits TFIIIB binding to pol III and to transcription factor TFIIIC2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation shows that the association of BRF1 and pol III with tRNA(Leu) genes in cells decreases when ERK is inactivated. Furthermore, mutation of an ERK docking domain or phosphoacceptor site in BRF1 prevents serum induction of pol III transcription. These data identify a novel target for ERK, and suggest that its ability to stimulate biosynthetic capacity and growth involves direct transcriptional activation of tRNA and 5S rRNA genes.

Regulation of p21 and p27 expression by the hepatitis B virus X protein and the alternate initiation site X proteins, AUG2 and AUG3

BACKGROUND

The hepatitis B virus X gene has three in-frame start codons encoding the pX, AUG2 and AUG3 proteins. The AUG2 and AUG3 genes are 5'-truncated in respect to the full-length pX gene; however, all three genes terminate at the same stop codon. The activity of pX as an oncogene is well characterized; however, less is known about the AUG2 and AUG3 proteins.

METHODS

The effects of pX, AUG2 and AUG3 on p21Cip,1/WAF,1/MDA6 and p27Kip-1 cyclin kinase inhibitor (CKI) protein expression, and the impact they have on proliferation, were investigated in CHO K-1 cells. CHO K-1 cells were chosen because they can be transfected at 100% efficiency.

RESULTS

p21- and p27-luciferase reporter expression is modulated by increasing doses of the hepatitis B X proteins. At low concentrations of pX or AUG2, p21- and p27-luciferase activity was increased, and at high concentrations, p21- and p27-luciferase activity was decreased. Expression of the AUG3 gene showed a different profile: it was increasingly stimulatory with dose for both promoters. Western blot analyses demonstrated that p21 and p27 protein levels were modulated as predicted based on data generated in the promoter-luciferase experiments. Tritiated thymidine labeling of DNA showed biphasic kinetics of incorporation in the presence of varying pX and AUG2 concentrations, whereas labeling decreased with AUG3 concentration. The growth inhibitory effect of pX expression was reduced by antisense ablation of either p21 or p27.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative expression level of pX, AUG2, and AUG3 impacts on CKI expression and cell proliferation. Our findings may explain why divergent effects of pX expression on growth have been observed by different groups, which may be related to relative pX expression levels.

RNA polymerase III transcription can be derepressed by oncogenes or mutations that compromise p53 function in tumours and Li-Fraumeni syndrome

RNA polymerase (pol) III synthesizes essential small RNAs, including tRNA and 5S rRNA. Wild-type p53 can repress pol III transcription both in vitro and in vivo. Many tumours carry substitutions in p53 which have selective effects on its functions. We identify tumour-derived mutations that compromise the ability of p53 to regulate pol III transcription. Furthermore, substitution R175H, the most common mutation in cancers, converts p53 from a repressor to an activator of pol III. Oncoproteins neutralize p53 in some tumours; we show that human papillomavirus E6 and cellular hdm2 can both release pol III from repression by p53. These data suggest that the restraining influence of p53 on pol III will be lost in many tumours. In addition to these features of sporadic cancers, some individuals inherit mutant forms of p53 and consequently suffer from Li-Fraumeni syndrome, showing genetic predisposition to certain malignancies. We find that pol III transcriptional activity is often highly elevated in primary fibroblasts from Li-Fraumeni patients, especially if the germline p53 mutation is followed by loss of the remaining allele. Our data suggest that p53 status can have a profound effect upon pol III transcription and hence on the biosynthetic capacity of cells.

Activation of the IGF-II gene by HBV-X protein requires PKC and p44/p42 map kinase signalings

We have recently shown that HBx protein, one of the causative agents of hepatocellular carcinomas, regulates Sp1 mediated transcription of insulin-like growth factor II promoter 4 (Lee et al. (1998) Oncogene 16, 2367-2380). Here we show that PKC and p44/p42MAPK signalings are required for the HBx-induced Sp1-mediated IGF-II P4 transcriptional activity since (i) PKC activation by PMA or PKC expression vector increases Sp1 phosphorylation and P4 activity in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells; (ii) PKC inhibition by PKC inhibitor Gö6976 reduces Sp1 phosphorylation, P4 activity, and IGF-II mRNA in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells; and (iii) the inhibition of MEK activation by U0126 reduces Sp1 phosphorylation, P4 activity and IGF-II mRNA in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells. These results demonstrate that PKC and p44/p42 MAPK cascades are the essential signaling pathways in Sp1-mediated IGF-II gene activation by HBx.

Hepatitis B virus HBx protein activation of cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes and G1 transit via a Src kinase pathway

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hepatitis B virus HBx protein stimulates signal transduction pathways and may bind to certain transcription factors, particularly the cyclic AMP response element binding protein, CREB. HBx has also been shown to promote early cell cycle progression, possibly by functionally replacing the TATA-binding protein-associated factor 250 (TAF(II)250), a transcriptional coactivator, and/or by stimulating cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways. To understand the basis for early cell cycle progression mediated by HBx, we characterized the molecular mechanism by which HBx promotes deregulation of the G0 and G1 cell cycle checkpoints in growth-arrested cells. We demonstrate that TAF(II)250 is absolutely required for HBx activation of the cyclin A promoter and for promotion of early cell cycle transit from G0 through G1. Thus, HBx does not functionally replace TAF(II)250 for transcriptional activity or for cell cycle progression, in contrast to a previous report. Instead, HBx is shown to activate the cyclin A promoter, induce cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes, and promote cycling of growth-arrested cells into G1 through a pathway involving activation of Src tyrosine kinases. HBx stimulation of Src kinases and cyclin gene expression was found to force growth-arrested cells to transit through G1 but to stall at the junction with S phase, which may be important for viral replication.

Molecular pathways in virus-induced cytokine production

Virus infections induce a proinflammatory response including expression of cytokines and chemokines. The subsequent leukocyte recruitment and antiviral effector functions contribute to the first line of defense against viruses. The molecular virus-cell interactions initiating these events have been studied intensively, and it appears that viral surface glycoproteins, double-stranded RNA, and intracellular viral proteins all have the capacity to activate signal transduction pathways leading to the expression of cytokines and chemokines. The signaling pathways activated by viral infections include the major proinflammatory pathways, with the transcription factor NF-kappaB having received special attention. These transcription factors in turn promote the expression of specific inducible host proteins and participate in the expression of some viral genes. Here we review the current knowledge of virus-induced signal transduction by seven human pathogenic viruses and the most widely used experimental models for viral infections. The molecular mechanisms of virus-induced expression of cytokines and chemokines is also analyzed.

Role of NF-kappaB and myc proteins in apoptosis induced by hepatitis B virus HBx protein

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) promotes a high level of liver disease and cancer in humans. The HBV HBx gene encodes a small regulatory protein that is essential for viral replication and is suspected to play a role in viral pathogenesis. HBx stimulates cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways, moderately stimulates a number of transcription factors, including several nuclear factors, and in certain settings sensitizes cells to apoptosis by proapoptotic stimuli, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and etopocide. Paradoxically, HBx activates members of the NF-kappaB transcription factor family, some of which are antiapoptotic in function. HBx induces expression of Myc protein family members in certain settings, and Myc can sensitize cells to killing by TNF-alpha. We therefore examined the roles of NF-kappaB, c-Myc, and TNF-alpha in apoptotic killing of cells by HBx. RelA/NF-kappaB is shown to be induced by HBx and to suppress HBx-mediated apoptosis. HBx also induces c-Rel/NF-kappaB, which can promote apoptotic cell death in some contexts or block it in others. Induction of c-Rel by HBx was found to inhibit its ability to directly mediate apoptotic killing of cells. Thus, HBx induction of NF-kappaB family members masks its ability to directly mediate apoptosis, whereas ablation of NF-kappaB reveals it. Investigation of the role of Myc protein demonstrates that overexpression of Myc is essential for acute sensitization of cells to killing by HBx plus TNF-alpha. This study therefore defines a specific set of parameters which must be met for HBx to possibly contribute to HBV pathogenesis.

Transcriptional regulation of the TATA-binding protein by Ras cellular signaling

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the level of the central transcription factor TATA-binding protein (TBP) is increased in cells expressing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein through the activation of the Ras signaling pathway, which serves to enhance both RNA polymerase I and III promoter activities. To understand the mechanism by which TBP is regulated, we have investigated whether enhanced expression is modulated at the transcriptional level. Nuclear run-on assays revealed that the HBV X protein increases the number of active transcription complexes on the TBP gene. In transient-transfection assays with both transformed and primary hepatocytes, the human TBP promoter was shown to be induced by expression of the HBV X protein in a Ras-dependent manner, requiring both Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS) and Raf signaling. Transient overexpression of TBP did not affect TBP promoter activity. To further delineate the downstream Ras-mediated events contributing to TBP promoter regulation in primary rat hepatocytes, the best-characterized Ras effectors, Raf, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase), and RalGDS, were examined. Activation of either Raf or RalGDS, but not that of PI-3 kinase, was sufficient to induce TBP promoter activity. Both Raf- and RalGDS-mediated induction required the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). In addition, another distinct Ras-activated pathway, which does not require MEK activation, appears to induce TBP promoter activity. Analysis of the DNA sequence requirement within the TBP promoter responsible for these regulatory events defined three distinct regions that modulate the abilities of Raf, RalGDS, and the Ras-dependent, MEK-independent pathways to regulate human TBP promoter activity. Together, these results provide new evidence that TBP can be regulated at the transcriptional level and identify three distinct Ras-activated pathways that modulate this central eukaryotic transcription factor.

RNA polymerase III transcription: its control by tumor suppressors and its deregulation by transforming agents

The level of RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription is tightly linked to the rate of growth; it is low in resting cells and increases following mitogenic stimulation. When mammalian cells begin to proliferate, maximal pol III activity is reached shortly before the G1/S transition; it then remains high throughout S and G2 phases. Recent data suggest that the retinoblastoma protein RB and its relatives p107 and p130 may be largely responsible for this pattern of expression. During G0 and early G1 phase, RB and p130 bind and repress the pol III-specific factor TFIIIB; shortly before S phase they dissociate from TFIIIB, allowing transcription to increase. At the end of interphase, when cells enter mitosis, pol III transcription is again suppressed; this mitotic repression is achieved through direct phosphorylation of TFIIIB. Thus, pol III transcription levels fluctuate as mammalian cells cycle, being high in S and G2 phases and low during mitosis and early G1. In addition to this cyclic regulation, TFIIIB can be bound and repressed by the tumor suppressor p53. Conversely, it is a target for activation by several viruses, including SV40, HBV, and HTLV-1. Some viruses also increase the activity of a second pol III-specific factor called TFIIIC. A large proportion of transformed and tumor cell types express abnormally high levels of pol III products. This may be explained, at least in part, by the very high frequency with which RB and p53 become inactivated during neoplastic transformation; loss of function of these cardinal tumor suppressors may release TFIIIB from key restraints that operate in normal cells.

Rat B(2) sequences are induced in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient global cerebral ischemia

Global brain ischemia causes cell death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus 3-5 days after reperfusion. The biological pathway leading to such delayed neuronal damage has not been established. By using differential display analysis, we examined expression levels of poly(A) RNAs isolated from hippocampal extracts prepared from rats exposed to global ischemia and found an up-regulated transcript, clone 17a. Northern blot analysis of clone 17a showed an approximately 35-fold increase in the ischemic brain at 24 h after four-vessel occlusion. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends of clone 17a revealed a family of genes (160-540 base pairs) that had the characteristics of rodent B(2) sequences. In situ hybridization demonstrated that the elevated expression of this gene was localized predominantly in the CA1 pyramidal neurons. The level of expression in the CA1 region decreased dramatically between 24 and 72 h after ischemia. The elevated expression of clone 17a was not observed in four-vessel occlusion rats treated with the compound LY231617, an antioxidant known to exert neuroprotection in rats subjected to global ischemia. Since delayed neuronal death has the characteristics of apoptosis, we speculate that clone 17a may be involved in apoptosis. We examined the expression level of clone 17a in in vitro models of apoptosis using cerebellar granule neurons that were subjected to potassium removal, glutamate toxicity, or 6-hydroxydopamine treatment and found that clone 17a transcripts were induced in cerebellar granule neurons by glutamate or 6-hydroxydopamine stimulation but not potassium withdrawal.

Activation of RNA polymerase III transcription in cells transformed by simian virus 40

RNA polymerase (Pol) III transcription is abnormally active in fibroblasts that have been transformed by simian virus 40 (SV40). This report presents evidence that two separate components of the general Pol III transcription apparatus, TFIIIB and TFIIIC2, are deregulated following SV40 transformation. TFIIIC2 subunits are expressed at abnormally high levels in SV40-transformed cells, an effect which is observed at both protein and mRNA levels. In untransformed fibroblasts, TFIIIB is subject to repression through association with the retinoblastoma protein RB. The interaction between RB and TFIIIB is compromised following SV40 transformation. Furthermore, the large T antigen of SV40 is shown to relieve repression by RB. The E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus can also activate Pol III transcription, an effect that is dependent on its ability to bind to RB. The data provide evidence that both TFIIIB and TFIIIC2 are targets for activation by DNA tumor viruses.

Repression of hepatitis B virus X gene expression by hammerhead ribozymes

The X protein (HBx) of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a transcriptional activator protein. The HBx protein plays an important role in viral replication in HBV infected cells and the liver diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the repression of HBx gene expression by hammerhead ribozymes may be a good way to inhibit HBV replication and cure HBV-related liver diseases. We designed two hammerhead ribozymes, RzA and RzB, to cleave target sites at nucleotides 114 and 309 in the HBx open reading frame (ORF), respectively. In vitro, RzA and RzB cleaved HBx RNAs at their target sites up to 52 and 75%, respectively; however, the disabled ribozymes (dRzs) which have mutations in the catalytic site did not cleave the target RNAs at all. When each of the ribozymes were cotransfected into HepG2 cells with HBx expression plasmid, RzA and RzB reduced the level of HBx mRNA to 40 and 57%, respectively. The transactivation activity of HBx protein was also reduced dramatically by the ribozymes. These results suggest that the hammerhead ribozymes, RzA and RzB, can be used for the gene therapy of liver diseases caused by HBV.

Human hepatitis B virus X protein is detectable in nuclei of transfected cells, and is active for transactivation

Subcellular localization and transactivation of human hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), a plausible causative factor for hepatocellular carcinogenesis, were studied in transiently transfected cells. The transactivation was detected not only by the cis-element driven chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay but also by immunostaining of CAT protein cotransfected into human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Scanning fluorescence microscopy showed the majority of immunological signals of HBx to be at the perinuclear region of transfected cytoplasm. HBx was also clearly detectable in the nucleus, though less intensely expressed. This was confirmed by Western analysis and coimmunoprecipitation of HBx with transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) in subcellular fractionations. The percentage of HBx-positive cells coincided with that of CAT-positive cells, and confocal laser microscopy revealed the coexistence of CAT signals in GFP-HBx positive cells. The SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal (NLS) appended HBx, regardless of whether NLS was added to the N- or C-terminus, transactivated all the examined X-responsive elements (XRE) similarly as did wild-type HBx. Similar results were obtained in p53 negative Saos-2 cells. The detected nuclear HBx may be involved in modulating the transcription at the promoter level whereas the HBx in cytoplasm may be working through signal transduction pathways.

Regulation of RNA polymerase I-dependent promoters by the hepatitis B virus X protein via activated Ras and TATA-binding protein

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein is essential for viral infectivity, and evidence indicates that it is a strong contributor to HBV-mediated oncogenesis. X has been shown to transactivate a wide variety of RNA polymerase (Pol) II-dependent, as well as RNA Pol III-dependent, promoters. In this study, we have investigated the possibility that X modulates RNA Pol I-dependent rRNA transcription. In both human hepatoma Huh7 and Drosophila Schneider S2 cell lines, X expression stimulated rRNA promoter activity. Extracts prepared from X-expressing cells stably transfected with an X gene also exhibited an increased ability to transcribe the rRNA promoter. The mechanism for X transactivation was examined by determining whether this regulatory event was dependent on Ras activation and increased TATA-binding protein (TBP) levels. Our previous studies have demonstrated that X, and the activation of Ras, produces an increase in the cellular levels of TBP (H.-D. Wang, A. Trivedi, and D. L. Johnson, Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:6838-6846, 1997). Expression of a dominant negative form of Ras blocked the X-mediated induction of the rRNA promoters, whereas expression of a constitutively activated form of Ras mimicked the enhancing effect of X on rRNA promoter activity. When TBP was overexpressed in either Huh7 or S2 cells, a dose-dependent increase in rRNA promoter activity was observed. To analyze whether the increase in TBP was modulating rRNA promoter activity indirectly, by increasing activity of RNA Pol II-dependent promoters, a Drosophila TBP cDNA was constructed with a mutation that eliminated its ability to stimulate RNA Pol II-dependent promoters. Transient expression of wild-type TBP in S2 cells increased the activities of specific RNA Pol I- and Pol II-dependent promoters. Expression of the mutant TBP protein failed to enhance the activity of the RNA Pol II-dependent promoters, yet the protein completely retained its ability to stimulate the rRNA promoter. Furthermore, the addition of recombinant TBP to S2 extracts stimulated rRNA promoter activity in vitro. Together, these results demonstrate that the HBV X protein up-regulates RNA Pol I-dependent promoters via a Ras-activated pathway in two distinct cell lines. The enhanced promoter activity can, at least in part, be attributed to the X- and Ras-mediated increase in cellular TBP, a limiting transcription component.

Inhibition of host RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription by vesicular stomatitis virus results from inactivation of TFIID

During infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), host-cell mRNA synthesis is inhibited due to shut off of host-cell transcription. The transcriptional activity of nuclear extracts prepared from VSV-infected cells was compared to the activity of nuclear extracts from uninfected cells. An exogenous DNA template was used which contained an adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP) but lacked upstream activating sequences, so that only basal transcription activity was assayed in these experiments. AdMLP-initiated transcription was decreased by 75% in nuclear extracts from infected cells as early as 3 h p.i. and by >90% by 6 h p.i. Mixing nuclear extracts from uninfected and VSV-infected cells revealed that the inhibition was caused by lack of an active form of a host factor involved in basal transcription rather than by the presence of an excess of inhibitory factor. To determine which transcription factors were lacking from nuclear extracts of infected cells, host transcription initiation factors isolated from uninfected cells by ion-exchange chromatography were added separately to nuclear extracts inactivated by VSV infection. A phosphocellulose column fraction from uninfected cells eluted with 0. 8 M KCl, which contained transcription factor IID (TFIID), overcame the inhibition. The corresponding fraction from infected cells had no detectable activity in a TFIID-dependent in vitro transcription assay. TATA-binding protein (TBP) is the DNA-binding subunit of TFIID and has been shown previously to substitute for TFIID in basal transcription. Purified recombinant TBP also reconstituted the transcription activity of nuclear extracts from infected cells, supporting the idea that TFIID is the target of virus-induced inhibition. Western blot analysis showed that the level of TBP in nuclear extracts or in the 0.8 M KCl column fraction was not changed by VSV infection. These results indicated that VSV infection leads to an inhibition of host transcription by inactivation of TFIID rather than reduction in the level of TFIID.

Rapamycin induces the G0 program of transcriptional repression in yeast by interfering with the TOR signaling pathway

The macrolide antibiotic rapamycin inhibits cellular proliferation by interfering with the highly conserved TOR (for target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. Growth arrest of budding yeast cells treated with rapamycin is followed by the program of molecular events that characterizes entry into G0 (stationary phase), including the induction of polymerase (Pol) II genes typically expressed only in G0. Normally, progression into G0 is characterized by transcriptional repression of the Pol I and III genes. Here, we show that rapamycin treatment also causes the transcriptional repression of Pol I and III genes. The down-regulation of Pol III transcription is TOR dependent. While it coincides with translational repression by rapamycin, transcriptional repression is due in part to a translation-independent effect that is evident in extracts from a conditional tor2 mutant. Biochemical experiments reveal that RNA Pol III and probably transcription initiation factor TFIIIB are targets of repression by rapamycin. In view of previous evidence that TFIIIB and Pol III are inhibited when protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) function is impaired, and that PP2A is a component of the TOR pathway, our results suggest that TOR signaling regulates Pol I and Pol III transcription in response to nutrient growth signals.

A differential response of wild type and mutant promoters to TFIIIB70 overexpression in vivo and in vitro

TFIIIB, the initiation factor for transcription by RNA polymerase III (pol III) is, in yeast, composed of three subunits: TBP, TFIIIB70/Brf1 and TFIIIB90. To determine the extent to which each of these subunits is limiting for pol III transcription, the effect of overexpressing each subunit was assessed on the expression of wild-type and promoter mutant pol III genes both in vivo and in vitro . In vivo , we find that the synthesis of wild-type pol III genes is not limited to a significant extent by the level of any TFIIIB subunit. There is, however, a two-fold increase in the synthesis of the promoter mutant gene, sup9-e A19-supS1 , in strains overexpressing TFIIIB70. The findings suggest that overexpression of TFIIIB70has a differential effect on the expression of pol III genes with strong versus weak promoters. In vitro transcription assays support this conclusion and reveal an inverse correlation between the transcriptional response to TFIIIB70overexpression and promoter strength. The individual TFIIIB subunits are nuclear by immunofluorescence and are calculated to have nuclear concentrations in the low micromolar range. In comparison, the factors are diluted 100-fold or more in whole cell extracts. This dilution accounts for the generally limiting nature of TFIIIB70in pol III gene transcription in vitro.

Differential expression of individual suppressor tRNA(Trp) gene gene family members in vitro and in vivo in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Eight different amber suppressor tRNA (suptRNA) mutations in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have been isolated; all are derived from members of the tRNA(Trp) gene family (K. Kondo, B. Makovec, R. H. Waterston, and J. Hodgkin, J. Mol. Biol. 215:7-19, 1990). Genetic assays of suppressor activity suggested that individual tRNA genes were differentially expressed, probably in a tissue- or developmental stage-specific manner. We have now examined the expression of representative members of this gene family both in vitro, using transcription in embryonic cell extracts, and in vivo, by assaying suppression of an amber-mutated lacZ reporter gene in animals carrying different suptRNA mutations. Individual wild-type tRNA(Trp) genes and their amber-suppressing counterparts appear to be transcribed and processed identically in vitro, suggesting that the behavior of suptRNAs should reflect wild-type tRNA expression. The levels of transcription of different suptRNA genes closely parallel the extent of genetic suppression in vivo. The results suggest that differential expression of tRNA genes is most likely at the transcriptional rather than the posttranscriptional level and that 5' flanking sequences play a role in vitro, and probably in vivo as well. Using suppression of a lacZ(Am) reporter gene as a more direct assay of suptRNA activity in individual cell types, we have again observed differential expression which correlates with genetic and in vitro transcription results. This provides a model system to more extensively study the basis for differential expression of this tRNA gene family.

Viral transactivating proteins

Many viruses utilize the cellular transcription apparatus to express their genomes, and they encode transcriptional regulatory proteins that modulate the process. Here we review the current understanding of three viral regulatory proteins. The adenovirus E1A protein acts within the nucleus to regulate transcription through its ability to bind to other proteins. The herpes simplex type 1 virus VP16 protein acts within the nucleus to control transcription by binding to DNA in conjunction with cellular proteins. The human T-cell leukemia virus Tax protein influences transcription through interactions with cellular proteins in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm.

Hepatitis B virus X protein induces RNA polymerase III-dependent gene transcription and increases cellular TATA-binding protein by activating the Ras signaling pathway

Our previous studies have shown that the hepatitis B virus protein, X, activates all three classes of RNA polymerase III (pol III)-dependent promoters by increasing the cellular level of TATA-binding protein (TBP) (H.-D. Wang et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 15:6720-6728, 1995), a limiting transcription component (A. Trivedi et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:6909-6916, 1996). We have investigated whether these X-mediated events are dependent on the activation of the Ras/Raf-1 signaling pathway. Transient expression of a dominant-negative mutant Ras gene (Ras-ala15) in a Drosophila S-2 stable cell line expressing X (X-S2), or incubation of the cells with a Ras farnesylation inhibitor, specifically blocked both the X-dependent activation of a cotransfected tRNA gene and the increase in cellular TBP levels. Transient expression of a constitutively activated form of Ras (Ras-val12) in control S2 cells produced both an increase in tRNA gene transcription and an increase in cellular TBP levels. These events are not cell type specific since X-mediated gene induction was also shown to be dependent on Ras activation in a stable rat 1A cell line expressing X. Furthermore, increases in RNA pol III-dependent gene activity and TBP levels could be restored in X-S2 cells expressing Ras-ala15 by coexpressing a constitutively activated form of Raf-1. These events are serum dependent, and when the cells are serum deprived, the X-mediated effects are augmented. Together, these results demonstrate that the X-mediated induction of RNA pol III-dependent genes and increase in TBP are both dependent on the activation of the Ras/Raf-1 signaling cascade. In addition, these studies define two new and important consequences mediated by the activation of the Ras signal transduction pathway: an increase in the central transcription factor, TBP, and the induction of RNA pol III-dependent gene activity.

Activation of Src family kinases by hepatitis B virus HBx protein and coupled signaling to Ras

The HBx protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small transcriptional transactivator that is essential for infection by the mammalian hepadnaviruses and is thought to be a cofactor in HBV-mediated liver cancer. HBx stimulates signal transduction pathways by acting in the cytoplasm, which accounts for many but not all of its transcriptional activities. Studies have shown that HBx protein activates Ras and downstream Ras signaling pathways including Raf, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase (MEK), and MAP kinases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of activation of Ras by HBx because it has been found to be central to the ability of HBx protein to stimulate transcription and to release growth arrest in quiescent cells. In contrast to the transient but strong stimulation of Ras typical of autocrine factors, activation of Ras by HBx protein was found to be constitutive but moderate. HBx induced the association of Ras upstream activating proteins Shc, Grb2, and Sos and stimulated GTP loading onto Ras, but without directly participating in complex formation. Instead, HBx is shown to stimulate Ras-activating proteins by functioning as an intracellular cytoplasmic activator of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, which can signal to Ras. HBx protein stimulated c-Src and Fyn kinases for a prolonged time. Activation of Src is shown to be indispensable for a number of HBx activities, including activation of Ras and the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase pathway and stimulation of transcription mediated by transcription factor AP-1. Importantly, HBx protein expressed in cultured cells during HBV replication is shown to activate the Ras signaling pathway. Mechanisms by which HBx protein might activate Src kinases are discussed.

Hepatitis B virus HBx protein sensitizes cells to apoptotic killing by tumor necrosis factor alpha

Persistent infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of human liver disease and is strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the most prevalent forms of human cancer. Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is an important mediator of chronic liver disease caused by HBV infection. It is demonstrated that the HBV HBx protein acutely sensitizes cells to apoptotic killing when expressed during viral replication in cultured cells and in transfected cells independently of other HBV genes. Cells that were resistant to apoptotic killing by high doses of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a cytokine associated with liver damage during HBV infection, were made sensitive to very low doses of TNFalpha by HBx. HBx induced apoptosis by prolonged stimulation of N-Myc and the stress-mediated mitogen-activated-protein kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1) pathway but not by up-regulating TNF receptors. Cell killing was blocked by inhibiting HBx stimulation of N-Myc or mitogen-activated-protein kinase kinase 1 using dominant-interfering forms or by retargeting HBx from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, which prevents HBx activation of cytoplasmic signal transduction cascades. Treatment of cells with a mitogenic growth factor produced by many virus-induced tumors impaired induction of apoptosis by HBx and TNFalpha. These results indicate that HBx might be involved in HBV pathogenesis (liver disease) during virus infection and that enhanced apoptotic killing by HBx and TNFalpha might select for neoplastic hepatocytes that survive by synthesizing mitogenic growth factors.

An RNA polymerase III-defective mutation in TATA-binding protein disrupts its interaction with a transcription factor IIIB subunit in drosophila cells

A subunit of the Drosophila RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB) complex has been identified using antibodies directed against the analogous human protein, hIIIB90. This protein has an apparent molecular mass of 105 kDa and has been designated dTAFIII105. Drosophila S-2 cell extracts that were immunodepleted of dTAFIII105 were substantially reduced in their capacity to support tRNA gene transcription. A protein (far Western) blot analysis revealed that dTAFIII105, present in a TFIIIB fraction, directly interacts with TATA-binding protein (TBP). Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that this protein associates with TBP in S-2 cell extracts. Our previous studies have identified a mutation at position 332 within Drosophila TBP that changes a highly conserved arginine residue to a histidine residue, which renders it specifically defective in its ability to support RNA polymerase III transcription in S-2 cells (Trivedi, A., Vilalta, A., Gopalan, S., and Johnson, D. L. (1996) Mol. Cell. Biol. 16, 6909-6916). We further demonstrate that extracts prepared from a stable cell line expressing epitope-tagged wild-type TBP exhibit an increase in tRNA gene transcription, whereas extracts derived from cells expressing the mutant TBP protein do not. Coimmunoprecipitation assays and far Western blot analysis demonstrate that this mutation in TBP abolishes its ability to stably interact with dTAFIII105. Thus, we have identified both a Drosophila protein that is directly associated with TBP in the TFIIIB complex, dTAFIII105, and an amino acid residue within the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal region of TBP that is critical for dTAFIII105-TBP interactions.

The hepatitis B virus X-associated protein, XAP3, is a protein kinase C-binding protein

The hepatitis B virus X protein induces transcriptional activation of a wide variety of viral and cellular genes. In addition to its ability to interact directly with many nuclear transcription factors, several reports indicate that the X protein stimulates different cytoplasmic kinase signal cascades. Using the yeast two-hybrid screen, we have isolated a clone designated X-associated protein 3 (XAP3) that encodes a human homolog of the rat protein kinase C-binding protein. One of the activation domains of X (amino acids 90-122) is required for binding to XAP3, while the NH2-terminal part of XAP3 is necessary for binding to X. Both X and XAP3 bound specifically to the eta PKC isoenzyme synthesized in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Overexpression of XAP3 enhanced X transactivation activity. These results support earlier findings that one of the mechanisms of transactivation by X is through involvement with the cellular protein kinase C pathway.