Relative transcriptional inducibility of the human interferon-alpha subtypes conferred by the virus-responsive enhancer sequence

This paper addresses the role of transcriptional regulation in the determination of the levels of expression of different interferon-alpha subtypes secreted from Namalwa cells following infection with Sendai virus. Using RT-PCR to determine the relative abundance of mRNA species coding for the various subtypes, we found a general correlation with corresponding protein levels, indicative of a role for transcriptional control in the determination of levels of individual subtypes. We have used reporter gene constructs to compare the inducibility of the virus-response elements from the IFNA1, A2, A4, and A14 subtype genes cloned upstream of a secreted alkaline phosphatase gene. The inducibility of these reporter gene constructs broadly correlated with the relative mRNA abundances in both transiently and stably transfected Namalwa cells. During work with stable cell lines, we found that G418, the drug used for the selection of transfected cells, inhibited the induction of interferon by both Sendai virus and double-stranded RNA. This inhibition was reversible when G418 was removed from the medium 24 h before the addition of virus.

A high capacity assay for inhibitors of human papillomavirus DNA replication

The discovery of antiviral compounds against human papillomaviruses (HPV) has been hindered by the difficulties in culturing virus in vitro or assaying stable HPV DNA replication. However, plasmids containing the HPV replication origin replicate transiently upon co-transfection with HPV E1 and E2 expression vectors. We have adapted this assay using secreted alkaline phosphatase (SAP) as a reporter for rapid analysis of DNA copy number. Use of the SV40 early promoter in controlling SAP expression was critical in ensuring both a strong signal and copy number dependence: the stronger beta-actin promotor inhibited replication, while the weaker SV40 late promoter yielded very low levels of SAP. The precise configuration of the E1 and E2 expression vectors also was critical, most pre-existing vectors did not support efficient replication and SAP secretion. The extent of DNA replication and SAP secretion were both proportional to the amount of E1/E2 vector used in transfections; under optimal conditions SAP increased 100-fold during replication. The assay has been developed for compound screening in 96-well plates and several inhibitors have been identified. Quantitative Southern blot analysis has shown that most of these inhibit HPV DNA replication rather than SAP accumulation or activity, and several are under test in models of viral replication. The assay also provides a rapid system for functional analysis of the HPV E1, E2 genes and the replication origin.

Detection of rare allelic variants of the interferon-alpha 2 gene in human genomic DNA

We have analyzed human donor DNA for the presence of sequences corresponding to allelic variants of the IFN-alpha 2 locus. Using both restriction enzyme digestion of PCR-amplified fragments and sequence analysis of these fragments, we have identified the three reported allelic variants, IFN-alpha 2a, IFN-alpha 2b, and IFN-alpha 2c, in genomic DNA derived from donors of African or Afro-Caribbean origin. This is the first report of the IFN-alpha 2a and IFN-alpha 2c alleles occurring in human donor DNA and supports the view that these are variants of the predominant IFN-alpha 2b allele rather than arising from mutations occurring in cultured cells.

Expression of genes for the Epstein-Barr virus small RNAs EBER-1 and EBER-2 in Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells: effects of interferon treatment

The relative levels, rates of synthesis and stabilities of the abundant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNAs, EBER-1 and EBER-2, were examined in Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Although both RNAs are transcribed at approximately equal rates, the steady-state level of EBER-1 is at least 10-fold greater than that of EBER-2. This is shown to be due to a much faster rate of turnover of EBER-2. In the presence of actinomycin D, the half-lives of EBER-1 and EBER-2 are 8 to 9 h and 0.75 h, respectively. Following treatment of the cells with human interferon (IFN) alpha the transcription of both RNAs is strongly inhibited. However, the level of EBER-1 increases up to twofold, indicating a further stabilization of this RNA. In IFN-treated cells, EBER-2 accumulates in the form of truncated products. Nuclease protection experiments indicated that this is due to a post-transcriptional modification of the 3' end of the molecule. These data show that the effects of IFN treatment on the expression of these two viral gene products are very complex in cells latently infected with EBV.

Translational control by the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER-1. Reversal of the double-stranded RNA-induced inhibition of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates

A role for the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA species EBER-1 in the regulation of protein synthesis has been investigated in the reticulocyte-lysate cell-free translation system. Recombinant EBER-1 was synthesized by in vitro transcription of a plasmid containing the viral gene and purified by CF11-cellulose chromatography and ribonuclease III treatment. When added to the reticulocyte lysate at 10-20 micrograms/ml or more, EBER-1 prevents the inhibition of protein synthesis caused by low concentrations of synthetic double-stranded RNA, poly(I).poly(C). This effect is eliminated by treatment of the recombinant EBER-1 with ribonuclease T1. Disruption of the secondary structure of EBER-1 by substitution of inosine for guanosine in the in-vitro-synthesized RNA impairs the ability of EBER-1 to prevent the poly(I).poly(C)-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. These results suggest that high concentrations of EBER-1 regulate protein synthesis by blocking the activation of the double-stranded RNA-dependent eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF-2 alpha) protein kinase DAI (p68), and that this property is dependent on the secondary structure of the small RNA molecule.

Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in interferon-treated cells. Implications for the regulation of protein synthesis and the antiviral state

This paper presents data on the effects of interferon treatment on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gene expression in latently infected Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells, and reviews the possible role of viral gene products in the regulation of translation. In Daudi cells the main virally coded RNAs are the small untranslated RNAs EBER-1 and EBER-2, two mRNAs for the DNA binding protein EBNA-1, and a number of small RNAs containing sequences from the BamHI W repeat region of the viral genome. Interferon treatment does not change the qualitative pattern of EBV gene expression but decreases the levels of the EBNA-1 mRNAs. The chromatographic behaviour of EBV-encoded RNAs on CF11-cellulose indicates that many contain double-stranded regions; these RNAs co-purify with RNA that activates the interferon-induced, dsRNA-sensitive protein kinase DAI. Computer analysis indicates that the exons transcribed from the BamHI W repeats have the potential for formation of very stable secondary structures. Many viruses can counteract the inhibition of protein synthesis mediated by the DAI-catalysed phosphorylation of initiation factor eIF-2 and our data suggest that the small RNA EBER-1 may fulfil this function in the EBV system. During the infection and immortalization of B lymphocytes by EBV the synthesis of large amounts of EBER-1 RNA might thus allow the virus to circumvent one of the interferon-mediated mechanisms of host cell defence.

Epstein-Barr virus replication in interferon-treated cells

The Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell line Daudi is latently infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These cells are very sensitive to the growth inhibitory and differentiation-inducing effects of human interferon-alpha (IFN) and we have examined the possibility that these responses are due to induction of EBV replication. Our results indicate that only a very small proportion of cells (less than 0.3%) are induced by IFN treatment to express EBV lytic genes at the RNA or protein level, whereas cell growth inhibition is complete under the same conditions. In contrast, when EBV replication is chemically induced the large increase in lytic gene transcripts, including that of the BZLF1 trans-activator gene, is partially inhibited by concomitant IFN treatment. The increase in viral DNA copy number in chemically induced Daudi cells is also partially inhibited by IFN but no effect of IFN on the level of viral DNA is observed in uninduced cells.

Regulation of c-fgr proto-oncogene expression in Burkitt's lymphoma cells: effect of interferon treatment and relationship to EBV status and c-myc mRNA levels

The proto-oncogene c-fgr is expressed in transformed human B lymphoid cell lines and has been reported to be induced in cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We have compared the levels of c-fgr mRNA in several B cell lines and have examined the effects of interferon-induced changes in growth rate of Daudi cells on the concentration of this mRNA. High levels were found in exponentially growing EBV-positive Raji and Daudi cells but the amounts in B95-8 and P3HR-1 cells (also EBV-positive) were lower than in the EBV-negative cell line Ramos. Growth inhibition of Daudi cells by interferon-alpha is preceded by a reduction in c-fgr expression, with a 56% decrease observed within 6 h. The differences in the amounts of c-fgr mRNA in the various cell lines and in control versus interferon-treated cells are similar to the differences in the c-myc mRNA contents of these cells. These results indicate that c-fgr expression bears little relationship to the EBV status of B lymphoid cell lines but may play a role, in conjunction with c-myc expression, in growth regulation by interferons. Other conditions which influence Daudi cell proliferation, such as treatment with a phorbol ester or growth to high cell density, also inhibit c-fgr expression but to a lesser extent than interferon treatment.