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A Sergeant

Publications and source records attributed to A Sergeant.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Epstein-Barr virus EBNA3A and EBNA3C proteins both repress RBP-J kappa-EBNA2-activated transcription by inhibiting the binding of RBP-J kappa to DNA.

Following infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the production of viral nuclear proteins EBNA1, EBNA2, EBNA3A, and EBNA3C and the viral membrane protein LMP1 is essential for the permanent proliferation of primary B lymphocytes to occur. Among these, the transcription factor EBNA2 is central to the immortalizing process, since it activates not only the transcription of all the EBNA proteins and LMP1, TP1, and TP2 but also certain cellular genes. EBNA2 is targeted to its DNA-responsive elements through direct interaction with the DNA-binding cellular repressor RBP-J kappa. In a transient-expression assay, the EBNA2-activated transcription was found to be downregulated by EBNA3A, EBNA3B, and EBNA3C. However, since it has been reported that EBNA3C, but not EBNA3A, directly contacts RBP-J kappa in vitro, these proteins appear to repress through different mechanisms. Here, we report for the first time that EBNA3A and EBNA3C both stably interact with RBP-J kappa and most probably repress EBNA2-activated transcription by destabilizing the binding of RBP-J kappa to DNA.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1995

RBP-J kappa repression activity is mediated by a co-repressor and antagonized by the Epstein-Barr virus transcription factor EBNA2.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein EBNA2 is a transcriptional activator that can be targeted to its DNA responsive elements by direct interaction with the cellular protein RBP-J kappa. RBP-J kappa is a ubiquitous factor, highly conserved between man, mouse and Drosophila, whose function in mammalian cells is largely unknown. Here we provide evidence that RBP-J kappa is a transcriptional repressor and, more importantly, that RBP-J kappa repression is mediated by a co-repressor. The function of the co-repressor could be counterbalanced by making a fusion protein (RBP-VP16) between RBP-J kappa and the VP16 activation domain. This RBP-VP16-mediated activation could be strongly increased by an EBNA2 protein deprived of its activation domain, but not by an EBNA2 protein incapable of making physical contact with RBP-J kappa. Our results suggest that EBNA2 activates transcription by both interfering with the function of a co-repressor recruited by RBP-J kappa and providing an activation domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tumor induction by v-Jun homodimers in chickens.

To study the contribution of v-Jun homodimers to oncogenesis, we constructed artificial v-Jun derivatives in which the natural dimerization domain of v-Jun was replaced by an heterologous homodimerization domain from either the viral EB1 or the yeast GCN4 transcription factor. The resulting v-Jun chimeric proteins, called v-Juneb1 and v-Jungcn4, which can no longer dimerize with Jun or Fos, should only form homodimers in the cell. Helper-independent retroviruses expressing v-Jun, v-Juneb1 and v-Jungcn4 were generated. All three viruses transformed primary cultures of chick embryo cells with the same high efficiency and promoted local tumor growth after subcutaneous injection of infected cells in young animals. In contrast, after intravenous injection of viral suspensions into chick embryos, only the chimeric proteins produced internal tumors that were lethal. These tumors were leiomyosarcomas located within the liver and along the digestive tract. Thus, in vivo, v-Juneb1 and v-Jungcn4 are more potent oncoproteins than v-Jun. These data demonstrate that when forced to accumulate, v-Jun homodimers can induce tumors efficiently. They also show that the oncogenic potential of v-Jun can be regulated through the properties of its dimerization domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Grafting peptides onto polystyrene microplates for ELISA.

Three peptides corresponding respectively to two Epstein-Barr viral epitopes and to the c-erbB-2 oncogene product were synthesized with the aim of developing an immunoenzymatic assay. Preliminary experiments indicated that the efficiency of the assay was profoundly affected by the nature of the solid phase for each peptide. In order to optimize the assay the three peptides were covalently coupled to functionalized polystyrene microplates which were used to immobilize both haptens and nucleic acids in a previous study. The results obtained indicate that the use of the carboxylated surfaces permits the linking strategy to be adapted to each peptide. Moreover, high sensitivities (5 x 10(-10)-1 x 10(-13) M) were obtained using amounts of the peptides much lower than those used in the standard system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Increased transforming activity of JunB and JunD by introduction of an heterologous homodimerization domain.

The closely-related proteins c-Jun, JunB and JunD form a family of transcription factors which require dimerization for DNA-binding and transcriptional activity. Dimerization is mediated by a conserved amphipathic alpha-helix located adjacent to a highly charged DNA-binding domain. The Jun proteins can form both homo- and heterodimers within the Jun family and can also cross-dimerize with the Fos proteins. When expressed at high levels in primary chicken cells, each mouse Jun displays distinct transforming capacities: c-Jun transforms efficiently, JunB transforms poorly, and JunD does not transform at all. The composition of the transforming dimers, however, is unknown. To study the activity of Jun-Jun homodimers we constructed artificial derivatives, denoted Juneb1, in which the naturally occurring dimerization domain has been replaced by an heterologous homodimerization domain from the Epstein-Barr virus transcription factor EB1. These derivatives were introduced into chicken cells and assayed for their ability to affect growth. Unexpectedly, all three Juneb1 proteins conferred a transformed phenotype to primary cultures, promoting sustained growth in low-serum medium and colony formation from single cells in agar. These data demonstrate that when forced to accumulate as homodimers, both JunB and JunD can transform cells. They also suggest that the poor transforming activity of JunB and the absence of transforming activity of JunD may be due to their inability to accumulate to high levels as homodimers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The human J kappa recombination signal sequence binding protein (RBP-J kappa) targets the Epstein-Barr virus EBNA2 protein to its DNA responsive elements.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein EBNA2, which is essential for the immortalization of human primary B cells by EBV, acts as a transcriptional activator of cellular and viral genes. Specific responsive elements have been characterized in several of the promoters activated by EBNA2. They all share the core sequence GTGGGAA. EBNA2 does not, however, bind to these sequences directly, but appears to be targeted to them by a cellular protein. A similar core sequence has recently been identified as a high-affinity binding site for the human recombination signal sequence binding protein RBP-J kappa. Here we provide evidence that RBP-J kappa binds to specific sequences in EBNA2-responsive elements. Our results also demonstrate that RBP-J kappa makes direct physical contact with EBNA2 in solution and recruits EBNA2 to its cognate DNA sequences, suggesting that RBP-J kappa may mediate EBNA2 transactivation of both cellular and viral genes.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of the DNA-binding site repertoire for the Epstein-Barr virus transcription factor R.

The Epstein-Barr virus gene BRLF1 encodes the transcription factor R, which is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein important for the switch from latency to a productive cycle. We have defined a repertoire of specific R-binding sites using a GST-R fusion protein and a pool of 23 bp random DNA sequences. The R-bound sequences were selected by several rounds of Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and amplification by PCR. Among the 45 sites selected, some positions in the sequences were highly conserved, i.e., 5'-GTGCC N7GTGGTG-3'. The guanine methylation assay revealed that R simultaneously contacts guanines in the two conserved cores, defining the consensus binding site 5'-GNCC N9 GGNG-3', and 30 sites among the 45 selected have this sequence. This last result also suggests that R binds two adjacent major grooves of the DNA. As shown by EMSA assay, R binds to all the sites tested with a comparable affinity, and they all mediate R-induced transcriptional activation in a transient expression assay.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The EBV early gene product EB2 transforms rodent cells through a signalling pathway involving c-Myc.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus associated with several neoplasia. We present evidence here that the protein EB2, an EBV posttranscriptional activator, has transforming properties not only when expressed in established cell lines such as Rat1 or NIH3T3 but also in primary rat fibroblasts (REF). EB2 transformation in Rat1 cells correlates with an increase in the steady-state level of the cellular oncogenic protein c-Myc, and cotransfection of a plasmid expressing Max suppresses the transformation. These results implicate c-Myc in EB2-mediated cell transformation and help define the pathway by which this EBV early protein causes transformation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Demonstration of Epstein-Barr virus replication in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is detectable in approximately 40% of cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD). The viral genomes remain latent but positive staining with anti-ZEBRA antibody in a small fraction of Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells of some cases of HD would suggest possible activation of EBV replication within these cells. We report the investigation of 40 cases of EBV-associated HD (including 5 human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-positive cases) using anti-ZEBRA antibodies. Positive staining was found in only three (HIV-negative) cases. One of these three cases showed approximately 1% of ZEBRA-positive tumor cells, whereas the other two cases showed rare positive cells. In the case with 1% ZEBRA-positive cells, a strong signal was obtained with anti-EA-R antibody and BHLF1 oligoprobes, which indicated early gene expression. EBV replication could be shown in this case by nonisotopic in situ DNA-DNA hybridization, which showed markedly increased numbers of EBV genomes in a few RS cells. Viral replication was confirmed using reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction that detected transcripts from the BLLF1 gene encoding for the membrane antigen gp350/220. EBV replication in RS cells seems to be an exceptional event but may provide clues to mechanisms of control of viral latency and assume clinical implications in the future.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Mechanisms of collagen trimer formation. Construction and expression of a recombinant minigene in HeLa cells reveals a direct effect of prolyl hydroxylation on chain assembly of type XII collagen.

Collagen types IX, XII, and XIV are characterized by the presence of a highly conserved region comprising the most C-terminal triple helical domain (COL1, approximately 100 residues/chain) and 2 cysteines separated by 4 amino acid residues at the junction between this COL1 domain and the C-terminal non-triple helical domain (NC1). In order to better understand the functions of this conserved domain, we have constructed a recombinant minigene, comprising the sequence coding for an unrelated signal peptide and for the COL1 and NC1 domains of type XII collagen. This construct was placed under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter and transfected into HeLa cells. The cells expressed the transfected minigene and the secreted chain, called alpha 1 (mini XII), could be detected by immunotransfer with an anti-peptide antibody recognizing an epitope found in the NC1 domain. Under conditions preventing the hydroxylation of prolyl residues (absence of ascorbate or presence of alpha alpha'-dipyridyl), interchain disulfide bridges did not form, while in the presence of ascorbate, disulfide-bonded (alpha 1 (mini XII))3 molecules were secreted. The collagenous nature and triple helical conformation of the trimeric molecule were ascertained by the differential resistances of the COL1 and NC1 domains to trypsin and collagenase digestions, respectively. Our data demonstrate that the NC1 and COL1 domains of type XII collagen contain the information necessary for trimer formation and that, contrary to the fibrillar collagen types, posttranslational modification of the triple helical domain is essential for assembly and disulfide bonding of the chains.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The DNA-binding domain of two bZIP transcription factors, the Epstein-Barr virus switch gene product EB1 and Jun, is a bipartite nuclear targeting sequence.

The Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 gene product EB1 (also called ZEBRA and Zta), is a transcription factor belonging to the bZIP (basic domain leucine zipper) family of nuclear proteins. Translocation to the nucleus of EB1 (J. Becker, U. Leser, M. Marschall, A. Langford, W. Jilg, H. Gelderblom, P. Reichart, and H. Wolf, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8332-8336, 1991) and of two other bZIP proteins, c-Jun and c-Fos (P. Roux, J.-M. Blanchard, A. Fernandez, N. Lamb, P. Jeanteur, and M. Piechaczyk, Cell 63:341-351, 1990), has been shown to be subject to regulation. We show here that for both EB1 and Jun the nuclear targeting signals (NTS) in the proteins' primary sequences are two clusters of positively charged amino acids. These clusters, called BRA and BRB, are necessary and sufficient to direct beta-galactosidase to the nuclear compartment and act as a bipartite NTS. They are conserved among all the bZIP proteins, and although they are not identical, they probably share the same function. Site-directed mutagenesis studies made on these basic clusters suggest that they also act as a bipartite NTS in the EB1 protein. Our results also demonstrate that in EB1 and Jun, these bipartite NTS are superimposed with bipartite DNA-binding domains, since BRA and BRB are required in vitro for direct and specific contact between these proteins and their DNA-binding sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The bZIP motif of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transcription factor EB1 mediates a direct interaction with TBP.

The EBV transcription factor EB1, is a key determinant of the switch from the latent infection to the lytic cycle. EB1 belongs to the Jun, Fos, ATF, CREB, C/EBP and GCN4 family of proteins, carrying a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain called "basic-Zipper" (bZIP). The N-terminal region of EB1 is required for transcriptional activation, whereas the C-terminal region contains the DNA-binding domain. The mechanism by which site-specific transcription factors increase specific initiation at polymerase II dependent promoters is thought to occur via recruitment and stabilization of components that form the initiation complex, i.e., TFIID, TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIG, TFIIH, TFIIJ and pol II. TFIID is not a single protein but consists of the TATA-binding protein TBP plus several distinct and tightly associated proteins called TAFs. More specifically, in vitro studies have revealed that the TAFs are not required for basal transcription, but are essential for mediating regulated transcription by different upstream activators. TFIID binding at the promoter sites is one of the limiting steps in the assembly of the initiation complex. Direct interactions with TBP or with one or several TAFs, mediated by the activation domain of site specific activators, could influence the binding rate of TFIID, and thus provide one of the mechanisms by which transcription is regulated. We show here that EB1 interacts directly with TBP in vitro, and that it is the bZIP domain, likely the region contacting the DNA rather than the activation domain, which is required for physical contact between EB1 and TBP.

Aminoacylation↗
PubMed1993

[The C-Jun oncoprotein].

Jun and Fos are major components of the transcriptional complex AP-1 (Activator Protein-1), a collection of dimeric transcriptional activators composed of members of the Jun and Fos family of bZIP proteins, that bind to a common site known as TRE (TPA Responsive Element) or the AP-1 site. Transcription of c-jun is rapidly induced by exposure to different extra-cellular signals like growth factors, cytokines, tumor promoters (TPA), UV and other DNA-damaging agents. Transcriptional activation of c-jun is a two step mechanism. First, the pre-existing c-Jun protein is activated by posttranscriptional modifications, and second, modified c-Jun activates its own transcription, and the expression of AP-1-dependent genes. Modifications of c-Jun include dephosphorylations, phosphorylations and oxydo-reduction. The transcriptional activation by c-Jun is modulated by heterodimerization with other members of the bZIP family of proteins, and by transcriptional interference with other transcription factors like some members of the hormone nuclear receptors, or MyoD. AP-1 is tightly associated to both the control of cell proliferation and the oncogenic process. Constitutive activation of AP-1 leads to cell transformation in vitro, probably due to the accumulation of homodimeric c-Jun:c-Jun complexes. This hypothesis has been directly confirmed by constructing c-Jun hybrid proteins capable to form only homodimers. Deregulated expression of such proteins efficiently transforms primary cells in culture. These hybrid proteins constitute a powerful tool in order to identify new cellular functions AP-1-dependent, involved in the control of cell proliferation.

Alpharetrovirus↗
PubMed1993

The acidic activation domain of the Epstein-Barr virus transcription factor R interacts in vitro with both TBP and TFIIB and is cell-specifically potentiated by a proline-rich region.

In cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the expression of two viral transactivators, EB1 and R, is responsible for the switch from latency to a productive cycle. R contains a DNA-binding/dimerization domain localized at the N-terminus. The domain required for transcriptional activation is localized at the C-terminus and contains two regions of very different amino acid composition. The first is very rich in prolines, whereas the second is rich in acidic residues and contains two potential alpha-helices. We investigated the activation potential of these subregions when linked to the heterologous Gal4 DNA-binding domain. We found that the acidic region--more precisely, the second putative alpha-helix--is an activating domain. In contrast, the proline-rich region is insufficient by itself for activation but collaborates with the acidic region in a cell-specific manner to make transactivation more efficient. We demonstrated that R interacts in vitro with the basal transcription factors TBP and TFIIB, and that the acidic domain of R mediates these interactions.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Chimeric c-Jun containing an heterologous homodimerization domain transforms primary chick embryo fibroblasts.

To investigate a possible role for c-Jun homodimers in c-Jun-mediated transformation, we designed two chimeric c-Jun derivatives, called c-Juneb1 and c-Jungcn4. In these chimeric derivatives the natural dimerization domain of c-Jun was replaced by the heterologous homodimerization domain of the Epstein-Barr virus EB1 or the yeast GCN4 transcription factor. Chick embryo fibroblasts chronically infected with retroviruses expressing c-Jun, c-Juneb1 or c-Jungcn4 are transformed. Infection with each construction results in sustained growth in low serum and development of colonies from single cells in agar with similar efficiencies. In contrast to c-Jun, c-Juneb1 and c-Jungcn4 confer additional phenotypic alterations related to in vitro transformation including a condensed cell morphology and ability to develop highly invasive, fast growing colonies in agar. These data suggest that c-Jun homodimers can transform chick embryo fibroblasts and activate cellular functions which influence cell morphology and invasive potential in agar. These findings are consistent with the notion that cellular transformation by c-jun is mediated by c-Jun homodimers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗