Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P51532 (transcriptional activator)
 6,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A transcriptional activator encoded in open reading frame 50 (ORF50) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) initiates the viral lytic cycle. ORF50 protein activates downstream KSHV target genes by at least two mechanisms: direct recognition of response elements in promoter DNA and interaction with cellular proteins bound to promoter DNA. We have identified a multifunctional regulatory region, present in amino acids (aa) 520 to 535 of ORF50 protein, that controls DNA binding and protein stability. Deletion of aa 521 to 534 or mutation of a basic motif (KKRK) in this regulatory region dramatically enhances DNA binding by ORF50 protein, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift, DNA affinity chromatography, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Deletion of the regulatory region and mutations in the KKRK motif also lead to abundant expression of an electrophoretic mobility variant, ORF50B, which appears to be a form of ORF50 protein that is decreased in posttranslational modification. Enhanced DNA binding and enhanced expression of ORF50B are independent phenomena. The regulatory region likely inhibits DNA binding through interactions with the DNA binding domain in aa 1 to 390 and destabilizes ORF50B through interactions with a domain located in aa 590 to 650. Mutants in the KKRK motif that are enhanced in DNA binding are nonetheless impaired in activating direct targets, such as polyadenylated nuclear RNA, and indirect targets, such as ORF50 itself. The identification of an autoregulatory region emphasizes that the many functions of ORF50 protein must be subject to exquisite control to achieve optimal KSHV lytic-cycle gene expression.
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PMID:Autoregulation of DNA binding and protein stability of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF50 protein. 1536 33

A transcriptional activator encoded in open reading frame 50 (ORF50) of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) genome initiates the viral lytic cycle. Here we classify four lytic cycle genes on the basis of several characteristics of the ORF50 response elements (ORF50 REs) in their promoters: nucleotide sequence homology, the capacity to bind ORF50 protein in vitro, the ability to bind the cellular protein RBP-Jkappa in vitro, and the capacity to confer activation by DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein. ORF50 expressed in human cells binds the promoters of PAN and K12 but does not bind ORF57 or vMIP-1 promoters. Conversely, the RBP-Jkappa protein binds ORF57 and vMIP-1 but not PAN or K12 promoters. DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein differentiate these two subclasses of promoters in reporter assays; the PAN and K12 promoters cannot be activated, while the ORF57 and vMIP-1 promoters are responsive. Although DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein are defective in activating direct targets, they are nonetheless capable of activating the lytic cascade of KSHV. Significantly, DNA binding-deficient ORF50 mutants are competent to autostimulate expression of endogenous ORF50 and to autoactivate ORF50 promoter reporters. The experiments show that ORF50 protein activates downstream targets by at least two distinct mechanisms: one involves direct binding of ORF50 REs in promoter DNA; the other mechanism employs interactions with the RBP-Jkappa cellular protein bound to promoter DNA in the region of the ORF50 RE. The DNA binding-deficient mutants allow classification of ORF50-responsive genes and will facilitate study of the several distinct mechanisms of activation of KSHV lytic cycle genes that are under the control of ORF50 protein.
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PMID:Two subclasses of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus lytic cycle promoters distinguished by open reading frame 50 mutant proteins that are deficient in binding to DNA. 1599 69

The protein encoded by open reading frame 50 (ORF50) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) functions as a transcriptional activator and in lytic viral DNA replication to mediate the switch from latent viral infection to the lytic phase. Here we identify regulatory regions of ORF50 protein that independently control DNA binding and abundance of the protein. One region contains a DNA-binding inhibitory sequence (DBIS) located between amino acids (aa) 490 and 535 of ORF50. A cluster of basic amino acids in this sequence is important in inhibiting DNA binding. The DBIS can function at the N or C terminus or internally in the ORF50 protein. Since the DBIS is functional in ORF50 protein purified from Escherichia coli, it is likely to work through an intramolecular mechanism. The second regulatory region, a protein abundance regulatory signal (PARS), consists of two components. Component I of the PARS overlaps the DBIS but can be differentiated from the DBIS by specific substitution of basic amino acid residues. Component II of PARS is located between aa 590 and 650. Mutation or deletion of either component results in abundant expression of ORF50 protein. When the two-component PARS was fused to a heterologous protein, Glutathione S-transferase, the fusion protein was unstable. Mutations in the DBIS or PARS impair the capacity of ORF50 to activate direct and indirect target viral promoters. Since these overlapping regulatory motifs are located in the C-terminal transactivation domain, they are likely to be important in controlling many actions of ORF50 protein.
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PMID:A mobile functional region of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF50 protein independently regulates DNA binding and protein abundance. 1865 47

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus 'replication transcriptional activator' (Rta) plays a critical role in the switch from latency to lytic replication. Rta upregulates several lytic KSHV genes, including its own, through multiple mechanisms. We demonstrate that cellular HMGB1 binds and synergistically upregulates the ORF50 promoter in conjunction with Rta. No direct interaction between Rta and HMGB1 was observed, however a ternary complex is formed in the presence of Oct1. Furthermore, deletion of an Oct-1 binding site within the ORF50 promoter ablates the HMGB1-mediated synergistic response. These results suggest Rta autostimulation may be mediated by a transient complex involving Oct1 and HMGB1.
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PMID:Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) Rta and cellular HMGB1 proteins synergistically transactivate the KSHV ORF50 promoter. 1869 49

In the process of characterizing the requirements for expression of the essential immediate-early transcriptional activator (RTA) encoded by gene 50 of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), a recombinant virus was generated in which the known gene 50 promoter was deleted (G50pKO). Surprisingly, the G50pKO mutant retained the ability to replicate in permissive murine fibroblasts, albeit with slower kinetics than wild-type MHV68. 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends analyses of RNA prepared from G50pKO-infected fibroblasts revealed a novel upstream transcription initiation site, which was also utilized during wild-type MHV68 infection of permissive cells. Furthermore, the region upstream of the distal gene 50/RTA transcription initiation site exhibited promoter activity in both permissive NIH 3T12 fibroblasts as well as in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. In addition, in RAW 264.7 cells the activity of the distal gene 50/RTA promoter was strongly upregulated (>20-fold) by treatment of the cells with lipopolysaccharide. Reverse transcriptase PCR analyses of RNA prepared from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus- and Epstein-Barr virus-infected B-cell lines, following induction of virus reactivation, also revealed the presence of gene 50/RTA transcripts initiating upstream of the known transcription initiation site. The latter argues that alternative initiation of gene 50/RTA transcription is a strategy conserved among murine and human gammaherpesviruses. Infection of mice with the MHV68 G50pKO demonstrated the ability of this mutant virus to establish latency in the spleen and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs). However, the G50pKO mutant was unable to reactivate from latently infected splenocytes and also exhibited a significant reactivation defect from latently infected PECs, arguing in favor of a model where the proximal gene 50/RTA promoter plays a critical role in virus reactivation from latency, particularly from B cells. Finally, analyses of viral genome methylation in the regions upstream of the proximal and distal gene 50/RTA transcription initiation sites revealed that the distal promoter is partially methylated in vivo and heavily methylated in MHV68 latently infected B-cell lines, suggesting that DNA methylation may serve to silence the activity of this promoter during virus latency.
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PMID:Alternatively initiated gene 50/RTA transcripts expressed during murine and human gammaherpesvirus reactivation from latency. 1897 Dec 85

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) replication and transcription activator (RTA) is well established as a key transcriptional activator that regulates the KSHV life cycle from latency to lytic replication. It is expressed immediately after infection and activates a number of viral genes leading to virus replication. The RTA-responsive element (RRE) in the RTA target gene promoters is critical for RTA to mediate this transactivation. A number of non-conserved RREs have been identified in various RTA-responsive promoters, and AT-rich sequences have been proposed to serve as RTA targets, but no consensus RRE sequence has been identified so far. Two non-conserved RREs (RRE1 and RRE2) containing AT-rich sequences have been identified previously in the promoter of one of the KSHV lytic genes, ORF57, which can be strongly activated by RTA. Based on homology with the consensus sequence of the Epstein-Barr virus Rta RRE, this study identified a third RTA-responsive element (RRE3) in the ORF57 promoter. This RRE comprised a GC-rich sequence that could bind RTA both in vitro and in vivo, and plays a role in RTA-mediated transactivation of the ORF57 promoter. The presence of two of the three RREs in close proximity to each other was required for optimal RTA-mediated transactivation of the ORF57 promoter, even though the presence of only one RRE is needed for RTA binding. These results suggest that the ability of RTA to mediate transcriptional activation is distinct from its ability to bind to its target elements.
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PMID:Identification and characterization of a new Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and transcription activator (RTA)-responsive element involved in RTA-mediated transactivation. 1922 88

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a cluster of 12 microRNAs (miRNAs) that are processed from a transcript that is embedded within the major latency control region. We have generated a deletion mutation that eliminates 10 of the 12 viral miRNAs from the KSHV bacmid by using recombineering methods. The KSHV miRNA deletion mutant (BAC36 DeltamiR) behaved similarly to wild-type (wt) BAC36 in viral production, latency gene transcription, and viral DNA copy number in 293 and dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMVECs). However, BAC36 DeltamiR consistently expressed elevated levels of viral lytic genes, including the immediate-early transcriptional activator Rta (ORF50). At least one KSHV microRNA (miRK12-5) was capable of suppressing ORF50 mRNA, but poor seed sequence alignments suggest that these targets may be indirect. Comparison of epigenetic marks in DeltamiR KSHV genomes revealed decreases in histone H3 K9 methylation, increases in histone H3 acetylation, and a striking loss of DNA methylation throughout the viral and cellular genome. One viral miRNA, K12-4-5p, was found to have a sequence targeting retinoblastoma (Rb)-like protein 2 (Rbl2), which is a known repressor of DNA methyl transferase 3a and 3b mRNA transcription. We show that ectopic expression of miR-K12-4-5p reduces Rbl2 protein expression and increases DNMT1, -3a, and -3b mRNA levels relative to the levels for control cells. We conclude that KSHV miRNA targets multiple pathways to maintain the latent state of the KSHV genome, including repression of the viral immediate-early protein Rta and a cellular factor, Rbl2, that regulates global epigenetic reprogramming.
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PMID:Epigenetic regulation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency by virus-encoded microRNAs that target Rta and the cellular Rbl2-DNMT pathway. 2007 80

Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens whose biological success depends upon replication and packaging of viral genomes, and transmission of progeny viruses to new hosts. The biological success of herpesviruses is enhanced by their ability to reproduce their genomes without producing progeny viruses or killing the host cells, a process called latency. Latency permits a herpesvirus to remain undetected in its animal host for decades while maintaining the potential to reactivate, or switch, to a productive life cycle when host conditions are conducive to generating viral progeny. Direct interactions between many host and viral molecules are implicated in controlling herpesviral reactivation, suggesting complex biological networks that control the decision. One viral protein that is necessary and sufficient to switch latent Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) into the lytic infection cycle is called K-Rta. K-Rta is a transcriptional activator that specifies promoters by binding DNA directly and interacting with cellular proteins. Among these cellular proteins, binding of K-Rta to RBP-Jk is essential for viral reactivation. In contrast to the canonical model for Notch signaling, RBP-Jk is not uniformly and constitutively bound to the latent KSHV genome, but rather is recruited to DNA by interactions with K-Rta. Stimulation of RBP-Jk DNA binding requires high affinity binding of Rta to repetitive and palindromic "CANT DNA repeats" in promoters, and formation of ternary complexes with RBP-Jk. However, while K-Rta expression is necessary for initiating KSHV reactivation, K-Rta's role as the switch is inefficient. Many factors modulate K-Rta's function, suggesting that KSHV reactivation can be significantly regulated post-Rta expression and challenging the notion that herpesviral reactivation is bistable. This review analyzes rapidly evolving research on KSHV K-Rta to consider the role of K-Rta promoter specification in regulating the progression of KSHV reactivation.
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PMID:KSHV Rta Promoter Specification and Viral Reactivation. 2234 75

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a pathogenic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease in humans. Similarly to other gammaherpesviruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), KSHV displays two alternative life cycles, latent and lytic one. The transactivation from latency to the lytic phase is the result of transcriptional changes in the KSHV genome caused by the replication and transcriptional activator (RTA). During KSHV reactivation, epigenetic modifications of histone protein on the viral genome occur, which regulate the transcriptional activation of a number of lytic genes. The reactivation of EBV from latency to lytic cycle, induced by an immediate-early Zta protein, was shown to be accompanied by acetylation of specific lysines in histone H4. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the RTA-induced transactivation of KSHV could also be accompanied by histone acetylation. To validate this hypothesis, we assayed alterations of acetyl-histone H4-lysine 5 (acH4K5) during the RTA-mediated KSHV reactivation. While the modified histone protein in a total cell lysate was not distinguished between control and RTA-expressed cells, upregulated acH4K5 was detected on several lytic gene promoter regions during KSHV reactivation. Our results clearly indicate that this epigenetic change is related to transcription of genes expressed in the lytic cycle of KSHV.
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PMID:Acetylation changes at lysine 5 of histone H4 associated with lytic gene promoters during reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. 2528 65

Transcription of herpesvirus late genes depends on several virus-encoded proteins whose function is not completely understood. Here, we identify a viral trimeric complex of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) open reading frame 31 (ORF31), ORF24, and ORF34 that is required for late gene expression but not viral DNA replication. We found that (i) ORF34 bridges the interaction between ORF31 and ORF24, (ii) the amino-terminal cysteine-rich and carboxyl-terminal basic domains of ORF31 mediate the ORF31-ORF34 interaction required for late gene expression, and (iii) a complex consisting of ORF24, ORF31, and ORF34 specifically binds to the K8.1 late promoter. Together, our results support the model that a subset of lytic viral proteins assembles into a transcriptional activator complex to induce expression of late genes.
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PMID:Association of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus ORF31 with ORF34 and ORF24 Is Critical for Late Gene Expression. 2581 May 51


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