PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Matija Peterlin

Publications and source records attributed to B Matija Peterlin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sequential modifications in class II transactivator isoform 1 induced by lipopolysaccharide stimulate major histocompatibility complex class II transcription in macrophages.

By presenting antigenic peptides on major histocompatibility complex class (MHC) II determinants to CD4(+) T cells, macrophages help to direct the establishment of adaptive immunity. We found that in these cells, lipopolysaccharide stimulates the expression of MHC II genes via the activation of Erk1/2, which is mediated by Toll-like receptor 4. Erk1/2 then phosphorylates the serine at position 357, which is located in a degron of CIITA isoform 1 that leads to its monoubiquitylation. Thus modified, CIITA isoform 1 binds P-TEFb, which mediates the elongation of RNA polymerase II and co-transcriptional processing of nascent transcripts. This induction leads to the expression of MHC II genes. Subsequent polyubiquitylation results in the degradation of CIITA isoform 1. Thus, the signaling cascade from Toll-like receptor 4 to CIITA isoform 1 represents one connection between innate and adaptive immunity in macrophages.

Animals↗

Hexim1 sequesters positive transcription elongation factor b from the class II transactivator on MHC class II promoters.

The class II transactivator (CIITA) is the master integrator of expression of MHC class II genes. It interacts with variety of basal transcription factors to initiate and elongate transcription of these genes. Among others, it recruits positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to MHC class II promoters. In cells, P-TEFb is found in small active or large inactive complexes. The large complex is composed of P-TEFb, 7SK small nuclear RNA, and hexamethylene bisacetamide-inducible protein 1 (Hexim1). The present study identifies Hexim1 as a potent inhibitor of CIITA-mediated transcription. Not only the exogenously expressed but also IFN-gamma-induced CIITA was inhibited by Hexim1. This inhibition did not result from an association between Hexim1 and CIITA but depended on the intact Cyclin T1-binding domain in Hexim1. Importantly, Hexim1 sequestered P-TEFb from CIITA, as documented by binding competition and ChIP assays. Conversely, the depletion of Hexim1 from cells by siRNA increased CIITA-mediated transcription. Thus, modulating ratios between active and inactive P-TEFb complexes is an additional mechanism of regulating transcriptional activators such as CIITA.

Cyclins↗

Aberrant MHC class II expression in mouse joints leads to arthritis with extraarticular manifestations similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with certain MHC class II molecules. To clarify the role of these determinants in RA, we generated the D1CC transgenic mouse that expressed genes involved in antigen processing and presentation by the MHC class II pathway in joints. The class II transactivator, which was transcribed from the rat collagen type II promoter and enhancer, directed the expression of these genes. In D1CC mice congenic for the H-2(q) (DBA/1) background, small amounts of bovine collagen type II in adjuvant induced reproducibly an inflammatory arthritis resembling RA. Importantly, these stimuli had no effect in DBA/1 mice. Eighty-nine percent of D1CC mice developed chronic disease with joint swelling, redness, and heat in association with synovial proliferation as well as pannus formation and mononuclear infiltration of synovial membranes. Granulomatous lesions resembling rheumatoid nodules and interstitial pneumonitis also were observed. As in patients with RA, anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies were detected during the inflammatory stage. Finally, joints in D1CC mice displayed juxtaarticular demineralization, severe joint space narrowing, and erosions, which led to ankylosis, but without the appearance of osteophytes. Thus, aberrant expression of MHC class II in joints facilitates the development of severe erosive inflammatory polyarthritis, which is very similar to RA.

Animals↗

Controlling the elongation phase of transcription with P-TEFb.

The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is a cyclin-dependent kinase that controls the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). This process is made possible by the reversal of effects of negative elongation factors that include NELF and DSIF. In complex organisms, elongation control is critical for the regulated expression of most genes. In those organisms, the function of P-TEFb is influenced negatively by HEXIM proteins and 7SK snRNA and positively by a variety of recruiting factors. Phylogenetic analyses of the components of the human elongation control machinery indicate that the number of mechanisms utilized to regulate P-TEFb function increased as organisms developed more complex developmental patterns.

Animals↗

Interactions between Nef and AIP1 proliferate multivesicular bodies and facilitate egress of HIV-1.

BACKGROUND: Nef is an accessory protein of primate lentiviruses, HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV. Besides removing CD4 and MHC class I from the surface and activating cellular signaling cascades, Nef also binds GagPol during late stages of the viral replicative cycle. In this report, we investigated further the ability of Nef to facilitate the replication of HIV-1. RESULTS: To this end, first the release of new viral particles was much lower in the absence of Nef in a T cell line. Since the same results were obtained in the absence of the viral envelope using pseudo-typed viruses, this phenomenon was independent of CD4 and enhanced infectivity. Next, we found that Nef not only possesses a consensus motif for but also binds AIP1 in vitro and in vivo. AIP1 is the critical intermediate in the formation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs), which play an important role in the budding and release of viruses from infected cells. Indeed, Nef proliferated MVBs in cells, but only when its AIP1-binding site was intact. Finally, these functions of Nef were reproduced in primary macrophages, where the wild type but not mutant Nef proteins led to increased release of new viral particles from infected cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that by binding GagPol and AIP1, Nef not only proliferates MVBs but also contributes to the egress of viral particles from infected cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Distal regulation of alternative splicing by splicing enhancer in equine beta-casein intron 1.

The complexity of cotranscriptional splicing is reflected in the coordinated interplay between various cis-elements and transacting factors. In this report, we demonstrated that a cis-element in intron 1 of the equine beta-casein gene (intronic splicing enhancer 1, ISE1) increases the inclusion of all weak exons in its pre-mRNA. The ISE1 also functioned on a hybrid transcript, which was transcribed from the alpha-globin promoter, where it increased the inclusion of the human fibronectin EDA exon and the beta-casein exon 5. The region of ISE1 necessary for its function included the same sequence as is found in some exonic splicing enhancers. Since the ISE1 influenced the splicing of the entire transcript from intron 1, we propose a model for the cotranscriptional splicing of beta-casein mRNA, where the 5' end of the growing transcript remains associated with the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Thus, the ISE1 remains in close proximity to the mRNA exit groove throughout transcription and influences all weak exons as soon as they are copied.

Alternative Splicing↗

Nef: out and in?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

Oligomerization of HEXIM1 via 7SK snRNA and coiled-coil region directs the inhibition of P-TEFb.

Transcriptional elongation of most eukaryotic genes by RNA polymerase II requires the kinase activity of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). The catalytically active P-TEFb complex becomes inactive when sequestered into the large complex by the cooperative actions of 7SK snRNA and HEXIM1. In this study, we report that HEXIM1 forms oligomers in cells. This oligomerization is mediated by its predicted coiled-coil region in the C-terminal domain and 7SK snRNA that binds a basic region within the central part of HEXIM1. Alanine-mutagenesis of evolutionary conserved leucines in the coiled-coil region and the digestion of 7SK snRNA by RNase A treatment prevent this oligomerization. Importantly, mutations of the N-terminal part of the coiled-coil region abrogate the ability of HEXIM1 to bind and inhibit P-TEFb. Finally, the formation of HEXIM1 oligomers via the C-terminal part of the coiled-coil or basic regions is critical for the inhibition of transcription. Our results suggest that two independent regions in HEXIM1 form oligomers to incorporate P-TEFb into the large complex and determine the inhibition of transcriptional elongation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interplay between 7SK snRNA and oppositely charged regions in HEXIM1 direct the inhibition of P-TEFb.

Transcription elongation of eukaryotic genes by RNA polymerase II depends on the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). When sequestered into the large complex, P-TEFb kinase activity is inhibited by the coordinate actions of 7SK small nuclear RNA (7SK snRNA) and hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA)-induced protein 1 (HEXIM1). We found that the basic region in HEXIM1 directs its nuclear import via two monopartite and two bipartite nuclear localization sequences. Moreover, the arginine-rich motif within it is essential for its binding to 7SK snRNA, P-TEFb, and inhibition of transcription. Notably, the basic region interacts with the adjacent acidic regions in the absence of RNA. The removal of the positive or negative charges from these regions in HEXIM1 leads to its sequestration into the large complex and inhibition of transcription independently of the arginine-rich motif. Finally, the removal of the negative charges from HEXIM1 results in its subnuclear localization into nuclear speckles. We propose a model where the interplay between 7SK snRNA and oppositely charged regions in HEXIM1 direct its binding to P-TEFb and subcellular localization that culminates in the inhibition of transcription.

Acetamides↗

P-TEFb is not an essential elongation factor for the intronless human U2 snRNA and histone H2b genes.

Phosphorylation of Ser2 of the heptapeptide repeat of the CTD of mammalian pol II by P-TEFb is associated with productive elongation of transcription of protein-coding genes. Here, we show that the CTD of pol II transcribing the human U2 snRNA genes is phosphorylated on Ser2 in vivo and that both the CDK9 kinase and cyclin T components of P-TEFb are required for cotranscriptional recognition of the 3' box RNA 3' end processing signal. However, inhibitors of CDK9 do not affect transcription of the U2 genes, indicating that P-TEFb functions exclusively as an RNA processing factor in expression of these relatively short, intronless genes. We also show that inhibition of CDK9 does not adversely affect either transcription of an intron-less, replication-activated histone H2b gene or recognition of the histone gene-specific U7-dependent RNA 3' end formation signal. These results emphasize that the role of P-TEFb as an activator of transcription elongation can be separated from its role in RNA processing and that neither function is universally required for expression of mammalian pol II-dependent genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a cyclin T-binding domain in Hexim1 and biochemical analysis of its binding competition with HIV-1 Tat.

The active form of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) consists of cyclin T and the kinase Cdk9. P-TEFb stimulates transcription by phosphorylating the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. It becomes inactivated when associated in a tetrameric complex with the abundant 7SK small nuclear RNA and the recently identified protein Hexim1. In this study, we identified a stable and soluble C-terminal domain (residues 255-359) in Hexim1 of 12.5-kDa size that binds the cyclin boxes of Cyclin T1. Functional assays in HeLa cells showed that this cyclin T-binding domain (TBD) is required for the binding of Hexim1 to P-TEFb and inhibition of transcriptional activity in vivo. Analytical gel filtration and GST pull-down experiments revealed that both full-length Hexim1 and the TBD are homodimers. Isothermal titration calorimetry yielded a weak multimer for the TBD with a multimerization constant of 1.3 x 10(3) m. The binding affinity between the TBD and cyclin T1 was analyzed with fluorescence spectroscopy methods, using a dansyl-based fluorescence label at position G257C. Equilibrium fluorescence titration and stopped flow fast kinetics yield a dissociation constant of 1.2 mum. Finally, we tested the effect of the HIV-1 Tat protein on the cyclin T1-TBD complex formation. GST pull-down experiments and size exclusion chromatography exhibit a mutually exclusive binding of the two effectors to cyclin T1. Our data suggest a model where HIV-1 Tat competes with Hexim1 for cyclin T1 binding, thus releasing P-TEFb from the inactive complex to stimulate the transcription of HIV-1 gene expression.

Calorimetry↗

Intracellular immunity to HIV-1: newly defined retroviral battles inside infected cells.

Studies of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continue to enrich eukaryotic biology and immunology. Recent advances have defined factors that function after viral entry and prevent the replication of proviruses in the infected cell. Some of these attack directly viral structures whereas others edit viral genetic material during reverse transcription. Together, they provide strong and immediate intracellular immunity against incoming pathogens. These processes also offer a tantalizing glimpse at basic cellular mechanisms that might restrict the movement of mobile genetic elements and protect the genome.

Animals↗

Ubiquitylation of Cdk9 by Skp2 facilitates optimal Tat transactivation.

By recruiting the positive transcriptional elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to paused RNA polymerase II, the transactivator Tat stimulates transcriptional elongation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome. We found that cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), the catalytic subunit of P-TEFb, is ubiquitylated in vivo. This ubiquitylation depended on the Skp1/Cul1/F-box protein E3 ubiquitin ligase Skp2. Likewise, Tat required Skp2 since its transactivation of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat decreased in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which lacked Skp2. The ubiquitylation of Cdk9 by Skp2 facilitated the formation of the ternary complex between P-TEFb, Tat, and transactivation response element. Thus, our findings underscore the requirement of ubiquitylation for the coactivator function in regulating HIV-1 transcriptional elongation.

Animals↗

Runx1 binds positive transcription elongation factor b and represses transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II: possible mechanism of CD4 silencing.

Runx1 binds the silencer and represses CD4 transcription in immature thymocytes. In this study, we found that Runx1 inhibits P-TEFb, which contains CycT1, CycT2, or CycK and Cdk9 and stimulates transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in eukaryotic cells. Indeed, its inhibitory domain, spanning positions 371 to 411, not only bound CycT1 but was required for silencing CD4 transcription in vivo. Our chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Runx1 inhibits the elongation but not initiation of transcription and that RNAPII is engaged at the CD4 promoter but is unable to elongate in CD4(-) CD8(+) thymoma cells. These results suggest that active repression by Runx1 occurs by blocking the elongation by RNAPII, which may contribute to CD4 silencing during T-cell development.

CD4 Antigens↗

Transcriptional activity and substrate recognition of cyclin T2 from P-TEFb.

Transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is regulated by the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which contains Cdk9 and a C-type cyclin (CycT1, CycT2a, CycT2b, or CycK). Whereas their N-terminal cylin boxes are almost identical, the C-terminal sequences of CycT1 and CycT2 are divergent. Previously, a histidine-rich stretch in CycT1 was found to bind the CTD of RNAPII and direct the transcriptional activity of this P-TEFb complex when tethered artificially to DNA. The global repressor PIE-1 from C. elegans blocked its effects. In this study, C-terminal truncations of CycT2 past its histidine-rich stretch, to a leucine-rich region next to its cyclin boxes, still maintained appreciable transcriptional activity. Moreover, this domain bound RNAPII via its CTD and PIE-1 blocked its effects. Thus, CycT2 not only contains two domains that target RNAPII but this substrate recognition is necessary for its transcriptional activity via DNA.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

VP16 and ubiquitin; binding of P-TEFb via its activation domain and ubiquitin facilitates elongation of transcription of target genes.

Acidic or type IIB transcriptional activation domains (AADs) increase rates of initiation as well as elongation of transcription. For the former effects, AADs bind general transcription factors and larger coactivator complexes, which position RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) at sites of initiation of transcription. For the latter effects, their ubiquitylation plays an important role. In this study, this posttranslational modification increased the binding between a prototypic AAD and the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which contains a C-type cyclin (CycT1, CycT2, or CycK) and Cdk9. By phosphorylating negative elongation factors and the C-terminal domain of RNAPII, P-TEFb modifies the transcription complex for efficient elongation and cotranscriptional processing of mRNA. Indeed, the activation domain of VP16 and ubiquitin bound the cyclin boxes and the C terminus in CycT1, respectively. Moreover, the artificial fusion of ubiquitin with VP16 not only increased its activity via DNA and RNA, which was reflected in increased ratios of elongated to initiated transcripts, but rescued the deleterious substitution of alanine for phenylalanine at position 442 in its AAD. Thus, the ubiquitylation of AADs increases their interaction with P-TEFb and augments rates of elongation of transcription.

Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase↗