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Query: UNIPROT:P05412 (c-Jun)
 11,453 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To extend our analysis of the regulation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early gene expression, we examined a transcription unit located in the terminal repeats of the long segment of the viral genome. This region encodes a major 1.2-kb RNA which is induced at early times in infection but undergoes its largest increase in abundance after the onset of viral DNA replication. To identify the important cis-acting regulatory elements for this gene, two constructs were prepared for use in transient expression assays. One contained 413 bp of the upstream sequence and 43 bp of the leader sequence fused to the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). The second construct included 1,722 bp upstream of the start site of the 1.2-kb RNA, the entire transcribed region with an additional 166-bp insert derived from the CAT gene as an assayable marker, and 2,393 bp downstream of the polyadenylation signal. Both constructs were individually transfected into human fibroblast cells, and the cells were infected with HCMV. RNA specified by the hybrid construct was initiated at the correct position and accumulated with the same kinetics as the authentic viral transcript at early times in the infection but did not undergo the increase in abundance at late at late times. By 5'-end-deletion analysis, we determined that the promoter for the 1.2-kb RNA contains a number of cis-acting elements, the most significant of which are the TATA-like sequence CATAAA at -30 and a sequence corresponding to the binding site for the transcription factor AP-1 at -75. Using extracts prepared from HeLa cells as well as from infected and uninfected fibroblasts in gel retardation assays, we obtained evidence for the specific interaction of a cellular factor(s) with the AP-1 binding site. The pattern of binding differed in the HeLa and fibroblast cells but did not change as a function of the HCMV infection. However, the functional importance of the AP-1 binding site and its key role in the regulation of the 1.2-kb RNA was supported by analysis of constructs containing specific point mutations at this site in gel retardation and transient expression assays. Site-specific mutations in the AP-1 consensus sequence, which resulted in the complete loss of binding to cellular factors, eliminated the basal activity and reduced the inducible promoter activity by eightfold.
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PMID:An AP-1 binding site is the predominant cis-acting regulatory element in the 1.2-kilobase early RNA promoter of human cytomegalovirus. 131 36

The 86-kDa immediate-early 2 protein (IE2 86) of human cytomegalovirus is a powerful transactivator of homologous and heterologous promoters, including the human cytomegalovirus 1.2-kb RNA early promoter. Two potential mechanisms for gene activation by IE2 86 include interaction with cellular proteins and direct DNA binding. In this report, we show that the 1.2-kb RNA promoter contains a cis-acting AP-1 site, critical for its activation by IE2 86 in vivo, and that IE2 86, purified as a glutathione S-transferase-IE86 fusion protein, can interact with c-Jun and JunB. Additionally, by coimmunoprecipitation, we document that JunB and IE2 86 do associate in vivo. Further in vitro analysis reveals that Fos proteins are able to associate with glutathione S-transferase-IE86 only when present as a Jun-Fos heterodimer. With a set of IE2 86 mutants, we demonstrate that three independent regions of the IE2 86 interact in vitro with c-Jun, two of which are essential for activation of the 1.2-kb RNA promoter in vivo. We also show that IE2 86 can bind directly to this promoter through a sequence located just upstream of the AP-1 site between nucleotides -125 and -97. This discrete domain shares sequence homology with the cis-repression signal on the IE gene.
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PMID:The human cytomegalovirus IE2 86-kilodalton protein interacts with an early gene promoter via site-specific DNA binding and protein-protein associations. 766 55

Interleukin (IL)-18 is functionally similar to IL-12 in mediating T helper cell type 1 (Th1) response and natural killer (NK) cell activity but is related to IL-1 in protein structure and signaling, including recruitment of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) to the receptor and activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. The role of IRAK in IL-18-induced responses was studied in IRAK-deficient mice. Significant defects in JNK induction and partial impairment in NF-kappaB activation were found in IRAK-deficient Th1 cells, resulting in a dramatic decrease in interferon (IFN)-gamma mRNA expression. In vivo Th1 response to Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide in IFN-gamma production and induction of NK cytotoxicity by IL-18 were severely impaired in IRAK-deficient mice. IFN-gamma production by activated NK cells in an acute murine cytomegalovirus infection was significantly reduced despite normal induction of NK cytotoxicity. These results demonstrate that IRAK plays an important role in IL-18-induced signaling and function.
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PMID:Defective interleukin (IL)-18-mediated natural killer and T helper cell type 1 responses in IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-deficient mice. 1019 Sep 4

Adenovirus gene therapy is a promising tool in the clinical treatment of many genetic and acquired diseases. However, it has also caused pathogenic effects in organs such as the liver. The redox-sensitive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB have been implicated in these effects. To study the mechanisms of adenovirus-mediated AP-1 and NF-kappaB activation and the possible involvement of oxidative stress in adenovirus transduction, rats were injected with either replication-defective recombinant adenovirus with DNA containing the cytomegalovirus promoter region only (AdCMV), adenovirus containing human manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) cDNA (AdMnSOD), or vehicle. Compared to vehicle and AdCMV transduction, MnSOD gene transfer yielded a fivefold increase in liver MnSOD activity 7 days postinjection. Gel shift assay showed that AdCMV transduction induced DNA binding activity for AP-1 but not NF-kappaB. MnSOD overexpression abolished this activation. Western blotting analysis of c-Fos and c-Jun suggested that up-regulation of c-fos and c-jun gene expression does not directly contribute to the induction of AP-1 activation. Glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratios were decreased by adenovirus transduction and restored by MnSOD overexpression. The AP-1 binding activity that was induced by AdCMV was decreased by immunoprecipitation of Ref-1 protein. Ref-1 involvement was confirmed by restoration of AP-1 binding activity after the immunoprecipitated Ref-1 protein had been added back. AP-1 DNA binding activity was also elevated in control and AdMnSOD-injected rats after addition of the immunoprecipitated Ref-1 protein. These data indicate that cellular transduction by recombinant adenovirus stimulates AP-1 DNA binding activity. Furthermore, our results suggest that MnSOD overexpression decreases AP-1 DNA binding activity by regulating intracellular redox status, with the possible involvement of Ref-1 in this redox-sensitive pathway.
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PMID:Redox regulation of adenovirus-induced AP-1 activation by overexpression of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase. 1173

If gene therapy is to be used to promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, a suitable vector for transgene delivery must be obtained. Replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors are promising candidates. We have examined whether they can express a LacZ transgene in injured neurons of adult rat brain. We transected the medial forebrain bundle, injected replication-defective HSV/LacZ vectors close to the lesion site, and looked for transgene expression at 2-14 days after the lesion. The vectors carried the LacZ transgene controlled either by the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter (vector CS5) or the HSV latency-associated promoter (vector CS1). CS5 transfected many cells near the lesion at 2 days, but did not give persistent expression at 5 days. CS1, in contrast, labeled many neurons in midbrain regions remote from the injection site at 5 days, and much of this expression remained at 12-14 days. The neurons of most interest were in the substantia nigra pars compacta and parabrachial nuclei, which were axotomized by the lesion. Vector-driven beta-galactosidase expression was detected in neurons in both regions. These were confirmed as axotomized by double immunofluorescence for c-Jun. By 12-14 days, many substantia nigra neurons had disappeared but some transduced neurons remained; there was no net loss of transduced neurons from the parabrachial nuclei. These results show that an HSV vector is capable of transducing axotomized cells in the central nervous system and producing transgene expression in them for at least 2 weeks after injection.
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PMID:A herpesvirus vector can transduce axotomized brain neurons. 1455 96

The cytomegalovirus immediate-early (CMV IE) gene enhancer/promoter regulates the expression of immediate-early gene products and initiation of CMV replication. TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) strongly activate the promoter, possibly involving NF-kappaB. CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs), which contain unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in the context of particular base sequences, have gained attention because of their stimulating effects, via NF-kappaB, which have a strong innate immune response. To study the effects of LPS and CpG-ODNs, as well as the mechanisms of their actions regarding CMV IE enhancer/promoter activation, we used a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Stimulation of the cells with LPS or CpG-ODNs resulted in the activation of the CMV IE enhancer/promoter. We examined the involvement of NF-kappaB and c-Jun transcription factors by promoter deletion/site-specific mutation analysis and ectopic expression, and found them to have additive effects. Involvement of myeloid differentiation protein, an upstream regulator of NF-kappaB and c-Jun, was also investigated. Experimental results indicate that both LPS-induced and CpG-ODN-induced activations of CMV IE enhancer/promoter are mediated by Toll-like receptor signaling molecules. Several lines of evidence suggest the potential contribution of bacterial infection in CMV reactivation along with the potential application of CpG-ODNs in gene therapy as a stimulator for the optimal expression of target genes under the control of the CMV IE enhancer/promoter.
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PMID:NF-kappaB- and c-Jun-dependent regulation of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene enhancer/promoter in response to lipopolysaccharide and bacterial CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. 1500 88

We recently demonstrated that the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early 1 (IE1) protein induces transcription of the gene encoding the RelB NF-kappaB subunit. The mechanism of this activation has been explored here. We report that the induction of the relB promoter by IE1 protein is mediated via activation of JNK and AP-1. The region controlling relB promoter induction was mapped to the upstream approximately 600-bp region between -1694 and -1096 bp. IE1 stimulated AP-1 activity in NIH 3T3 cells. Competition electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the presence of one bona fide AP-1 element centered at -1503 bp. Introduction of a G-to-C mutation in the AP-1 binding site within the distal region of the relB promoter eliminated its activation by IE1 in both NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Supershift EMSA identified c-Jun, Fra-2, and c-Fos in AP-1 binding complexes in IE1 transfected NIH 3T3 cells. IE1 induced c-Jun phosphorylation, and treatment with SP600125, a selective JNK inhibitor, as well as overexpression of JNK-binding domain of JIP1, blocked IE1-mediated induction of AP-1 and relB promoter activity in NIH 3T3 cells and SMCs. Ectopic expression of c-Jun plus Fra-2, but not c-Fos, induced relB promoter activity. The relB promoter has two proximal NF-kappaB elements, and c-Jun/Fra-2 worked in synergy with p50/p65 NF-kappaB complexes. Overall, these findings demonstrate for the first time the role of AP-1 in transcriptional regulation of a gene encoding an NF-kappaB subunit, and its involvement in induction of RelB activity by the CMV IE1 protein.
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PMID:Induction of the RelB NF-kappaB subunit by the cytomegalovirus IE1 protein is mediated via Jun kinase and c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 complexes. 1559 5

Human cytomegalovirus virus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Recently, a novel group of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-28A/B and IL-29, also termed interferon (IFN)-lambdas] has been described. Here, we demonstrate that intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines as well as murine and human colonic tissue express the IFN-lambda receptor subunits IL-28R and IL-10R2. IL-28A and IL-29 binding to their receptor complex activates ERK-1/2 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase MAPKs and Akt, resulting in increased IL-8 protein expression. IFN-lambdas also induce phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and significantly increase mRNA expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and the antiviral proteins myxovirus resistance A and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase. These signals result in an up to 83% reduction of cells positive for human CMV immediate-early protein after human CMV infection. In mice, IL-28A mRNA expression is upregulated after infection with murine CMV in vivo. Both IL-28A and IL-29 significantly decrease cell proliferation but have no effect on Fas-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, IECs express functional receptors for IFN-lambdas, which mediate antiviral and antiproliferative signals in IECs, suggesting a potential for therapeutic use in certain viral infections and as (antiproliferative) anticancer therapy.
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PMID:IL-28A and IL-29 mediate antiproliferative and antiviral signals in intestinal epithelial cells and murine CMV infection increases colonic IL-28A expression. 1605 21

The critical role of polyamines in cell growth has led to the development of a number of agents that interfere with polyamine metabolism including a novel class of polyamine analogues, oligoamines. Here we demonstrate that oligoamines specifically suppress the mRNA and protein expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and ERalpha target genes in ER-positive human breast cancer cell lines, whereas neither ERbeta nor other steroid hormonal receptors are affected by oligoamines. The constitutive expression of a cytomegalovirus promoter-driven exogenous ERalpha in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells was not altered by oligoamines, suggesting that oligoamines specifically suppress ERalpha transcription rather than affect mRNA or protein stability. Further analysis demonstrated that oligoamines disrupted the DNA binding activity of Sp1 transcription factor family members to an ERalpha minimal promoter element containing GC/CA-rich boxes. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 or expression of the c-Jun dominant negative inhibitor TAM67 blocked the oligoamine-activated JNK/c-Jun pathway and enhanced oligoamine-inhibited ERalpha expression, suggesting that AP-1 is a positive regulator of ERalpha expression and that oligoamine-activated JNK/AP-1 activity may antagonize the down-regulation of ERalpha induced by oligoamines. Taken together, these results suggest a novel antiestrogenic mechanism for specific polyamine analogues in human breast cancer cells.
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PMID:Polyamine analogues down-regulate estrogen receptor alpha expression in human breast cancer cells. 1667 12

Maintenance of high-level transgene expression is the main challenge in current gene therapy. Although the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter/enhancer or its derivative the CAG promoter has been harnessed in current gene therapy vectors, transgene expression by these vectors is often transient and remains at suboptimal levels due to undefined mechanisms, possibly including the shortage of transcriptional machinery. To overcome this drawback, we designed a novel transcriptional control system, designated here as transcription factor-supercharging promoter system, in which transgene expression is regulated by the positive feedback circuit consisting of cis- and trans-acting elements of gene expression machinery. Among combinations of these elements, a plasmid composed of a target gene expression cassette driven by the chimeric CMV promoter containing repetitive 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive elements as cis-acting elements (CMV-TTT) and expression cassettes for c-Fos and c-Jun genes as trans-acting elements facilitated high and long-term (>10 months) expression of a transgene after its intramuscular electroporation-mediated delivery in mice. Since human secretory alkaline phosphatase was used as a reporter, it was suggested that the immune evasion mechanism elicited by the CMV-TTT and/or c-Fos/ c-Jun expression also contributed to the sustained expression in mice. Our strategy may open a new avenue for a gene therapy that involves lifelong supplementation of a deficient protein that could be targeted by the host's immune system.
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PMID:Activator protein 1-mediated transcriptional regulation strategy sustains long-term expression of a xenogeneic gene product in vivo: an implication for gene therapy targeting congenital protein deficiencies. 1682 Sep 37


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