scholarly journals Transcriptional Regulation of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus K15 Gene

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1385-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily L. Wong ◽  
Blossom Damania

ABSTRACT The K15 gene product of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a transmembrane protein that is encoded by the last open reading frame of the KSHV genome. The K15 protein has been implicated in modulation of B-cell signal transduction and activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signal transduction pathways. Here we report the identification of the transcriptional start site of the full-length K15 gene in KSHV-positive BCBL-1 cells. We have mapped the K15 transcriptional start site to a position 152 nucleotides upstream from the translation start site by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and RNase protection assays. We have also characterized the K15 promoter element. To analyze the cis-acting elements necessary to regulate K15 gene expression, a series of 5′ promoter deletion constructs were generated and subcloned upstream of the luciferase reporter gene. Transcriptional assays with these mutant promoters demonstrated that chemical induction in latently infected KSHV-positive BCBL-1 cells activated K15 transcription. In addition, K15 promoter transactivation was also mediated by the viral immediate-early protein Orf50/Rta, suggesting that the K15 gene is actively transcribed during lytic replication.

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (13) ◽  
pp. 5891-5898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lagunoff ◽  
David M. Lukac ◽  
Don Ganem

ABSTRACT The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) K1 gene encodes a polypeptide bearing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) that is constitutively active for ITAM-based signal transduction. Although ectopic overexpression of K1 in cultured fibroblasts can lead to growth transformation, in vivo this gene is primarily expressed in lymphoid cells undergoing lytic infection. Here we have examined function of K1 in the setting of lytic replication, through the study of K1 mutants lacking functional ITAMs. Expression of such mutants in BJAB cells cotransfected with wild-type K1 results in dramatic inhibition of K1 signal transduction, as judged by impaired activation of Syk kinase and phospholipase C-γ2 as well as by diminished expression of a luciferase reporter gene dependent upon K1-induced calcium and Ras signaling. Thus, the mutants behave as dominantly acting inhibitors of K1 function. To assess the role of K1 in lytic replication, we introduced these K1 mutants into BCBL-1 cells, a B-cell lymphoma line latently infected with KSHV, and induced lytic replication by ectopic expression of the KSHV ORF50 transactivator. Expression of lytic cycle genes was diminished up to 80% in the presence of a K1 dominant negative mutant. These inhibitory effects could be overridden by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate treatment, indicating that inhibition was not due to irreversible cell injury and suggesting that other signaling events could bypass the block. We conclude that ITAM-dependent signaling by K1 is not absolutely required for lytic reactivation but functions to modestly augment lytic replication in B cells, the natural reservoir of KSHV.


2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (19) ◽  
pp. 8739-8753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Yan ◽  
Chenyou Shen ◽  
Jie Qin ◽  
Wan Li ◽  
Minmin Hu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTKaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection is required for the development of several AIDS-related malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). The high incidence of AIDS-KS has been ascribed to the interaction of KSHV and HIV-1. We have previously shown that HIV-1-secreted proteins Tat and Nef regulate the KSHV life cycle and synergize with KSHV oncogenes to promote angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Here, we examined the regulation of KSHV latency by HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr). We found that soluble Vpr inhibits the expression of KSHV lytic transcripts and proteins, as well as viral particle production by activating NF-κB signaling following internalization into PEL cells. By analyzing the expression profiles of microRNAs combined with target search by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter analyses, we identified a Vpr-upregulated cellular microRNA (miRNA), miR-942-5p, that directly targeted IκBα. Suppression of miR-942-5p relieved the expression of IκBα and reduced Vpr inhibition of KSHV lytic replication, while overexpression of miR-942-5p enhanced Vpr inhibition of KSHV lytic replication. Our findings collectively illustrate that, by activating NF-κB signaling through upregulating a cellular miRNA to target IκBα, internalized HIV-1 Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication. These results have demonstrated an essential role of Vpr in the life cycle of KSHV.IMPORTANCECoinfection by HIV-1 promotes the aggressive growth of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-related malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). In this study, we have shown that soluble HIV-1 Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication by activating NF-κB signaling following internalization into PEL cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that a cellular microRNA upregulated by Vpr, miR-942-5p, directly targeted IκBα. Suppression of miR-942-5p relieved IκBα expression and reduced Vpr inhibition of KSHV replication, while overexpression of miR-942-5p enhanced Vpr inhibition of KSHV replication. These results indicate that by activating NF-κB signaling through upregulating a cellular miRNA to target IκBα, internalized Vpr inhibits KSHV lytic replication. This work illustrates a molecular mechanism by which HIV-1-secreted regulatory protein Vpr regulates KSHV latency and the pathogenesis of AIDS-related malignancies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (24) ◽  
pp. 12574-12583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. Bowser ◽  
Scott M. DeWire ◽  
Blossom Damania

ABSTRACT The K1 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been shown to be a transforming protein capable of inducing morphological changes and focus formation in rodent fibroblasts. K1 can activate B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and upregulate activity of the NFAT and NF-κB transcription factors. In order to understand the regulation of K1 gene expression, we have analyzed sequences upstream of the K1 gene to identify the K1 promoter element. We have performed 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends as well as a nuclease protection assay to map the transcriptional start site of the KSHV K1 transcript. The K1 transcriptional start site lies 75 bp upstream of the translation start site. Sequences upstream of the K1 gene were characterized for their ability to activate a luciferase reporter gene in 293 epithelial cells, KSHV-negative B cells (BJAB), KSHV-positive B cells (BCBL-1), and KS tumor-derived endothelial cells (SLK-KS−). We found that a 125-bp sequence upstream of the K1 transcript start site was sufficient to fully activate the luciferase reporter gene in all cell types tested. In addition, the viral transcription factor KSHV Orf50/Rta was capable of further activating this promoter element in 293, BJAB, and BCBL-1 cells but not in SLK-KS− cells. Promoter constructs containing additional sequences upstream of the 125-bp element did not show further augmentation of transcription in the presence or absence of KSHV Orf50.


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 5056-5066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine A. Bisson ◽  
Anne-Laure Page ◽  
Don Ganem

ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFNs) are important mediators of innate antiviral defense and function by activating a signaling pathway through their cognate type I receptor (IFNAR). Here we report that lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) efficiently blocks type I IFN signaling and that an important effector of this blockade is the viral protein RIF, the product of open reading frame 10. RIF blocks IFN signaling by formation of inhibitory complexes that contain IFNAR subunits, the Janus kinases Jak1 and Tyk2, and the STAT2 transcription factor. Activation of both Tyk2 and Jak1 is inhibited, and abnormal recruitment of STAT2 to IFNAR1 occurs despite the decrement in Tyk2 activity. As a result of these actions, phosphorylation of both STAT2 and STAT1 is impaired, with subsequent failure of ISGF3 accumulation in the nucleus. The presence in the viral genome of potent inhibitors of type I IFN signaling, along with several viral genes that block IFN induction, highlights the importance of the IFN pathway in the control of this human tumor virus infection.


2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (24) ◽  
pp. 12171-12186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Qiyi Tang ◽  
Gerd G. Maul ◽  
Yan Yuan

ABSTRACT Lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is essential for viral propagation and pathogenicity. In Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, constant lytic replication plays a role in sustaining the population of latently infected cells that otherwise are quickly lost by segregation of latent viral episomes as spindle cells divide. Lytic DNA replication initiates from an origin (ori-Lyt) and requires trans-acting elements. Two functional ori-Lyts have been identified in the KSHV genome. Some cis-acting and trans-acting elements for ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been found. Among these, K8 binding sites, a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs, and a replication and transcription activator (RTA) responsive element (RRE) are crucial cis-acting elements. Binding of K8 and RTA proteins to these motifs in ori-Lyt DNA was demonstrated to be absolutely essential for DNA replication. In the present study, functional roles of RTA in ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been investigated. Two distinct functions of RTA were revealed. First, RTA activates an ori-Lyt promoter and initiates transcription across GC-rich tandem repeats. This RTA-mediated transcription is indispensable for DNA replication. Second, RTA is a component of the replication compartment, where RTA interacts with prereplication complexes composed of at least six core machinery proteins and K8. The prereplication complexes are recruited to ori-Lyt DNA through RTA, which interacts with the RRE, as well as K8, which binds to a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs with the aid of C/EBP α. The revelation of these two functions of RTA, together with its role in initiation of a transcriptional cascade that leads to transcription of all viral lytic genes, shows that RTA is a critical initiator and regulator of KSHV lytic DNA replication and viral propagation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (20) ◽  
pp. 11108-11120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Hong Deng ◽  
Yan-Jin Zhang ◽  
Xin-Ping Wang ◽  
Shou-Jiang Gao

ABSTRACT Defective viruses often have pivotal roles in virus-induced diseases. Although Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), defective KSHV has not been reported. Using differential genetic screening methods, we show that defective KSHV is present in KS tumors and PEL cell lines. To investigate the role of defective viruses in KSHV-induced pathogenesis, we isolated and characterized a lytic replication-defective KSHV, KV-1, containing an 82-kb genomic deletion of solely lytic genes. Cells harboring KV-1 escaped G0/G1 apoptosis induced by spontaneous lytic replication occurred in cells infected with regular KSHV but maintained efficient latent replication. Consequently, KV-1-infected cells had phenotypes of enhanced cell proliferation and transformation potentials. Importantly, KV-1 was packaged as infectious virions by using regular KSHV as helpers, and KV-1-like variants were detected in cultures of two of five KSHV cell lines and 1 of 18 KS tumors. These results point to a potential role for defective viruses in the regulation of KSHV infection and malignant transformation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 5794-5803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard J. Leung ◽  
Elda M. Duran ◽  
Metin Kurtoglu ◽  
Samita Andreansky ◽  
Theodore J. Lampidis ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTLytic replication of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is essential for the maintenance of both the infected state and characteristic angiogenic phenotype of Kaposi's sarcoma and thus represents a desirable therapeutic target. During the peak of herpesvirus lytic replication, viral glycoproteins are mass produced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Normally, this leads to ER stress which, through an unfolded protein response (UPR), triggers phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis to maintain ER and cellular homeostasis. However, in order to replicate, herpesviruses have acquired the ability to prevent eIF2α phosphorylation. Here we show that clinically achievable nontoxic doses of the glucose analog 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) stimulate ER stress, thereby shutting down eIF2α and inhibiting KSHV and murine herpesvirus 68 replication and KSHV reactivation from latency. Viral cascade genes that are involved in reactivation, including the master transactivator (RTA) gene, glycoprotein B, K8.1, and angiogenesis-regulating genes are markedly decreased with 2-DG treatment. Overall, our data suggest that activation of UPR by 2-DG elicits an early antiviral response via eIF2α inactivation, which impairs protein synthesis required to drive viral replication and oncogenesis. Thus, induction of ER stress by 2-DG provides a new antiherpesviral strategy that may be applicable to other viruses.


2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 2531-2539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojuan Li ◽  
Fanxiu Zhu

ABSTRACT Open reading frame 45 (ORF45) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus 8 (KSHV) is an immediate-early phosphorylated tegument protein and has been shown to play important roles at both early and late stages of viral infection. Homologues of ORF45 exist only in gammaherpesviruses, and their homology is limited. These homologues differ in their protein lengths and subcellular localizations. We and others have reported that KSHV ORF45 is localized predominantly in the cytoplasm, whereas its homologue in murine herpesvirus 68 is localized exclusively in the nucleus. We observed that ORF45s of rhesus rhadinovirus and herpesvirus saimiri are found exclusively in the nucleus. As a first step toward understanding the mechanism underlying the distinct intracellular distribution of KSHV ORF45, we identified the signals that control its subcellular localization. We found that KSHV ORF45 accumulated rapidly in the nucleus in the presence of leptomycin B, an inhibitor of CRM1 (exportin 1)-dependent nuclear export, suggesting that it could shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Mutational analysis revealed that KSHV ORF45 contains a CRM1-dependent, leucine-rich-like nuclear export signal and an adjacent nuclear localization signal. Replacement of the key residues with alanines in these motifs of ORF45 disrupts its shuttling between the cytoplasm and nucleus. The resulting ORF45 mutants have restricted subcellular localizations, being found exclusively either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus. Recombinant viruses were reconstituted by introduction of these mutations into KSHV bacterial artificial chromosome BAC36. The resultant viruses have distinct phenotypes. A mutant virus in which ORF45 is restricted to the cytoplasm behaves as an ORF45-null mutant and produces 5- to 10-fold fewer progeny viruses than the wild type. In contrast, mutants in which the ORF45 protein is mostly restricted to the nucleus produce numbers of progeny viruses similar to those produced by the wild type. These data suggest that the subcellular localization signals of ORF45 have important functional roles in KSHV lytic replication.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (23) ◽  
pp. 12185-12199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bok-Soo Lee ◽  
Mini Paulose-Murphy ◽  
Young-Hwa Chung ◽  
Michelle Connlole ◽  
Steven Zeichner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The K1 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic region and elicits cellular signal transduction through this motif. To investigate the role of K1 signal transduction in KSHV replication, we expressed full-length K1 and CD8-K1 chimeras in BCBL1 cells. Unlike its strong signaling activity in uninfected B lymphocytes, K1 did not induce intracellular calcium mobilization or NF-AT activation at detectable levels in KSHV-infected BCBL1 cells. Instead, K1 signaling dramatically suppressed KSHV lytic reactivation induced by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) stimulation, but not by ORF50 ectopic expression. Mutational analysis showed that the cytoplasmic ITAM sequence of K1 was required for this suppression. Viral microarray and immunoblot analyses demonstrated that K1 signaling suppressed the TPA-mediated increase in the expression of a large subset of viral lytic genes in KSHV-infected BCBL1 cells. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that TPA-induced activation of AP-1, NF-κB, and Oct-1 activities was severely diminished in BCBL1 cells expressing the K1 cytoplasmic domain. The reduced activities of these transcription factors may confer the observed reduction in viral lytic gene expression. These results demonstrate that K1-mediated signal transduction in KSHV-infected cells is profoundly different from that in KSHV-negative cells. Furthermore, K1 signal transduction efficiently suppresses TPA-mediated viral reactivation in an ITAM-dependent manner, and this suppression may contribute to the establishment and/or maintenance of KSHV latency in vivo.


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