scholarly journals Antisense Transcription in the Human Cytomegalovirus Transcriptome

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (20) ◽  
pp. 11267-11281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guojuan Zhang ◽  
Bindu Raghavan ◽  
Mark Kotur ◽  
Jacquelyn Cheatham ◽  
Daniel Sedmak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Antisense Transcription ◽  
Cdna Libraries ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Antisense Transcripts ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Viral Genes

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are prevalent in human populations and can cause serious diseases, especially in those with compromised or immature immune systems. The HCMV genome of 230 kb is among the largest of the herpesvirus genomes. Although the entire sequence of the laboratory-adapted AD169 strain of HCMV has been available for 18 years, the precise number of viral genes is still in question. We undertook an analysis of the HCMV transcriptome as an approach to enumerate and analyze the gene products of HCMV. Transcripts of HCMV-infected fibroblasts were isolated at different times after infection and used to generate cDNA libraries representing different temporal classes of viral genes. cDNA clones harboring viral sequences were selected and subjected to sequence analysis. Of the 604 clones analyzed, 45% were derived from genomic regions predicted to be noncoding. Additionally, at least 55% of the cDNA clones in this study were completely or partially antisense to known or predicted HCMV genes. The remarkable accumulation of antisense transcripts during infection suggests that currently available genomic maps based on open-reading-frame and other in silico analyses may drastically underestimate the true complexity of viral gene products. These findings also raise the possibility that aspects of both the HCMV life cycle and genome organization are influenced by antisense transcription. Correspondingly, virus-derived noncoding and antisense transcripts may shed light on HCMV pathogenesis and may represent a new class of targets for antiviral therapies.

scholarly journals The Autoregulatory and Transactivating Functions of the Human Cytomegalovirus IE86 Protein Use Independent Mechanisms for Promoter Binding

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 5807-5818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin T. Petrik ◽  
Kimberly P. Schmitt ◽  
Mark F. Stinski
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Chip Assay ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Multiple Sequence ◽  
Viral Genes

ABSTRACT The functions of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IE86 protein are paradoxical, as it can both activate and repress viral gene expression through interaction with the promoter region. Although the mechanism for these functions is not clearly defined, it appears that a combination of direct DNA binding and protein-protein interactions is involved. Multiple sequence alignment of several HCMV IE86 homologs reveals that the amino acids 534LPIYE538 are conserved between all primate and nonprimate CMVs. In the context of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), mutation of both P535 and Y537 to alanines (P535A/Y537A) results in a nonviable BAC. The defective HCMV BAC does not undergo DNA replication, although the P535A/Y537A mutant IE86 protein appears to be stably expressed. The P535A/Y537A mutant IE86 protein is able to negatively autoregulate transcription from the major immediate-early (MIE) promoter and was recruited to the MIE promoter in a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. However, the P535A/Y537A mutant IE86 protein was unable to transactivate early viral genes and was not recruited to the early viral UL4 and UL112 promoters in a ChIP assay. From these data, we conclude that the transactivation and repressive functions of the HCMV IE86 protein can be separated and must occur through independent mechanisms.

scholarly journals MicroRNA miR-21 Attenuates Human Cytomegalovirus Replication in Neural Cells by Targeting Cdc25a

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 1070-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Ru Fu ◽  
Xi-Juan Liu ◽  
Xiao-Jun Li ◽  
Zhang-zhou Shen ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Hcmv Infection ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Hcmv Replication

ABSTRACTCongenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a leading cause of birth defects, primarily manifesting as neurological disorders. HCMV infection alters expression of cellular microRNAs (miRs) and induces cell cycle arrest, which in turn modifies the cellular environment to favor virus replication. Previous observations found that HCMV infection reduces miR-21 expression in neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs). Here, we show that infection of NPCs and U-251MG cells represses miR-21 while increasing the levels of Cdc25a, a cell cycle regulator and known target of miR-21. These opposing responses to infection prompted an investigation of the relationship between miR-21, Cdc25a, and viral replication. Overexpression of miR-21 in NPCs and U-251MG cells inhibited viral gene expression, genome replication, and production of infectious progeny, while shRNA-knockdown of miR-21 in U-251MG cells increased viral gene expression. In contrast, overexpression of Cdc25a in U-251MG cells increased viral gene expression and production of infectious progeny and overcame the inhibitory effects of miR-21 overexpression. Three viral gene products—IE1, pp71, and UL26—were shown to inhibit miR-21 expression at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that Cdc25a promotes HCMV replication and elevation of Cdc25a levels after HCMV infection are due in part to HCMV-mediated repression of miR-21. Thus, miR-21 is an intrinsic antiviral factor that is modulated by HCMV infection. This suggests a role for miR-21 downregulation in the neuropathogenesis of HCMV infection of the developing CNS.IMPORTANCEHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen and has very high prevalence among population, especially in China, and congenital HCMV infection is a major cause for birth defects. Elucidating virus-host interactions that govern HCMV replication in neuronal cells is critical to understanding the neuropathogenesis of birth defects resulting from congenital infection. In this study, we confirm that HCMV infection downregulates miR-21 but upregulates Cdc25a. Further determined the negative effects of cellular miRNA miR-21 on HCMV replication in neural progenitor/stem cells and U-251MG glioblastoma/astrocytoma cells. More importantly, our results provide the first evidence that miR-21 negatively regulates HCMV replication by targeting Cdc25a, a vital cell cycle regulator. We further found that viral gene products of IE1, pp71, and UL26 play roles in inhibiting miR-21 expression, which in turn causes increases in Cdc25a and benefits HCMV replication. Thus, miR-21 appears to be an intrinsic antiviral factor that represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

scholarly journals Human Cytomegalovirus Virions Differentially Incorporate Viral and Host Cell RNA during the Assembly Process

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (19) ◽  
pp. 9078-9082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid E. Greijer ◽  
Chantal A. J. Dekkers ◽  
Jaap M. Middeldorp
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Active Infection ◽  
Virion Assembly ◽  
Viral Genes ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Cellular Dna ◽  
Positive Results

ABSTRACT While analyzing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene expression in infected cells by RNA-specific nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), positive results were observed for HCMV RNA encoded by several viral genes immediately after the addition of the virus. UV-inactivated virus also gave a positive NASBA result without establishing active infection, suggesting that RNA was associated with the inoculum. Highly purified virions devoid of cellular contamination proved to be positive for viral RNA encoding both immediate-early (UL123) and late (UL65) gene products. Virion-associated RNA might be incorporated specifically or without selection during the virion assembly. In the latter case, cellular RNA would also be present in the virion. A high-abundant cellular RNA encoded by GAPDH and even U1A RNA, which is expressed at low levels, were detected in the virion fraction, whereas cellular DNA was absent. Virion fractionation revealed that cellular RNA was absent in purified de-enveloped capsids. In conclusion, cellular and viral RNA was present between the capsid and envelope of the virion, whereas in the capsid only viral RNA could be detected. The results suggest that virion-associated viral and cellular RNA is incorporated nonspecifically during virion assembly.

scholarly journals The Cytoplasmic Tail of Glycoprotein M (gpUL100) Expresses Trafficking Signals Required for Human Cytomegalovirus Assembly and Replication

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (19) ◽  
pp. 10316-10328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Krzyzaniak ◽  
Michael Mach ◽  
William J. Britt
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Cytoplasmic Tail ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Particle Assembly ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Virion Envelope

ABSTRACT The virion envelope of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is complex and consists of an incompletely defined number of glycoproteins. The gM/gN protein complex is the most abundant protein component of the envelope. Studies have indicated that deletion of the viral gene encoding either gM or gN is a lethal mutation. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of gM disclosed a C-terminal acidic cluster of amino acids and a tyrosine-containing trafficking motif, both of which are well-described trafficking/sorting signals in the cellular secretory pathway. To investigate the roles of these signals in the trafficking of the gM/gN complex during virus assembly, we made a series of gM (UL100 open reading frame) mutants in the AD169 strain of HCMV. Mutant viruses that lacked the entire C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of gM were not viable, suggesting that the cytoplasmic tail of gM is essential for virus replication. In addition, the gM mutant protein lacking the cytoplasmic domain exhibited decreased protein stability. Mutant viruses with a deletion of the acidic cluster or alanine substitutions in tyrosine-based motifs were viable but exhibited a replication-impaired phenotype suggestive of a defect in virion assembly. Analysis of these mutant gMs using static immunofluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching demonstrated delayed kinetics of intracellular localization of the gM/gN protein to the virus assembly compartment compared to the wild-type protein. These data suggest an important role of the glycoprotein gM during virus assembly, particularly in the dynamics of gM trafficking during viral-particle assembly.

Hoxa 11 structure, extensive antisense transcription, and function in male and female fertility

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 1373-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Hsieh-Li ◽  
D.P. Witte ◽  
M. Weinstein ◽  
W. Branford ◽  
H. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Antisense Transcription ◽  
Developmental Expression ◽  
Female Sterility ◽  
Antisense Strand ◽  
Antisense Transcripts ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
And Function

Hoxa 11 is a murine Abdominal-B-type homeobox gene. The structure of this gene is presented, including genomic and cDNA sequence. The cDNA includes the complete open reading frame and based on primer extension results is near full length. Surprisingly, the antisense strand of Hoxa 11 was found to be transcribed. Moreover, these antisense transcripts were processed and polyadenylated. The developmental expression patterns for both sense and antisense transcripts were examined using serial section and whole-mount in situ hybridizations. Hoxa 11 transcription patterns were defined in the limbs, kidney and stromal cells surrounding the Mullerian and Wolffian ducts. Of particular interest, in the developing limbs, the sense and antisense transcripts showed complementary expression patterns, with antisense RNAs increasing in abundance in regions where sense RNAs were diminishing in abundance. Furthermore, targeted mutation of Hoxa 11 is shown to result in both male and female sterility. The female mutants produce normal ova, which develop properly post-fertilization when transferred to wild-type surrogate mothers. The Hoxa 11 homozygous mutants are shown to provide a defective uterine environment. The mutant males exhibited a malformation of the vas deferens that resembles a partial homeotic transformation to an epididymis. In addition, the mutant testes fail to descend properly into the scrotum and, likely as a result, spermatogenesis is perturbed.

scholarly journals Adenovirus E4orf4 Protein Downregulates MYC Expression through Interaction with the PP2A-B55 Subunit

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (19) ◽  
pp. 9381-9388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haggit Ben-Israel ◽  
Rakefet Sharf ◽  
Gideon Rechavi ◽  
Tamar Kleinberger
Keyword(s):  
Rna Stability ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Transcriptional Elongation ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Temporal Regulation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Viral Genes ◽  
Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis ◽  
Adenovirus Replication

ABSTRACT The adenovirus E4 open reading frame 4 (E4orf4) protein is a multifunctional viral regulator that is involved in the temporal regulation of viral gene expression by modulating cellular and viral genes at the transcription and translation levels and by controlling alternative splicing of adenoviral late mRNAs. When expressed individually, E4orf4 induces apoptosis in transformed cells. Using oligonucleotide microarray analysis, validated by quantitative real time PCR, we found that MYC (also known as c-Myc) is downregulated early after the induction of E4orf4 expression. As a result, Myc protein levels are reduced in E4orf4-expressing cells. MYC downregulation is observed both when E4orf4 is expressed individually and within the context of viral infection. E4orf4 reduces MYC transcription but does not affect transcriptional elongation or RNA stability. An interaction with the PP2A-B55 subunit is required for the downregulation of MYC by E4orf4. Since Myc overexpression was previously shown to inhibit adenovirus replication, the downregulation of Myc by E4orf4 would contribute to efficient virus infection.

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