PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

J S Pagano

Publications and source records attributed to J S Pagano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Epstein-Barr viral latency and cell immortalization as targets for antisense oligomers.

The approach of using an antisense oligonucleotide to oppose the synthesis of a single selected viral gene product needed to maintain the EBV episome in non-virus-producing cells appears to be promising not only for possible cure of latent viral infection, but also for reversal of EBV-driven cell proliferation. It is also possible that targeting multiple latent viral genes might mount a synergistic effect that would prove to be more efficient at curing latent infection. However, further work is needed to identify the reasons for the variable results that are observed as well as to prove specificity of the inhibitory effects. Finally, we are also working on other assays and methods to screen compounds rapidly.

Antigens, Viral

Structure-activity relationship between (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)- and 5-vinyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (BV-araU, V-araU) in inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus replication.

The structure-activity relationship between (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)- and 5-vinyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (BV-araU and V-araU) in inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was evaluated. Both V-araU and BV-araU effectively inhibited EBV replication in virus-producer P3HR-1(LS) cells, as determined by DNA-DNA hybridization. The 50% effective doses (ED50) for viral DNA replication were 0.005 and 0.3 microM for V-araU and BV-araU, respectively. The in vitro therapeutic index was 4000 for V-araU and 1300 for BV-araU. Synthesis of EBV-induced polypeptides with molecular weights of 145,000 (145, 140, 130, and 110 kDa) was significantly inhibited by both drugs. Only V-araU inhibited the synthesis of 85-, 55-, and 32-kDa polypeptides by approx. 50%. Kinetic analysis of inhibition and reversibility of EBV DNA replication after removal of the drugs indicated that BV-araU has a more prolonged inhibitory effect than V-araU. These results indicate that the substitution of H by Br in the 5-vinyl group results in marked reduction in anti-EBV activity while prolonging the drug effect and diminishing cytotoxicity.

Antiviral Agents

Regulation of the Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase gene.

The gene (pol) encoding the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase is a member of the "early" class of viral genes which are expressed shortly after activation of latent virus infection. First, mRNA from the EBV-producing cell line, B95-8, treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and sodium butyrate to induce lytic replication and expression of this gene was analyzed. Northern (RNA) analysis revealed a message of 3.7 kb found only in induced cells. 5' mapping of pol mRNA by S1 nuclease and primer extension analyses indicates that transcription initiates at tightly clustered sites within a G + C-rich region 126 bp upstream of the open reading frame. The same initiation region was identified in two other EBV-infected cell lines, P3HR1 and Raji, after induction. Second, a 1.29-kb genomic fragment containing this region, when cloned upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene, demonstrated promoter activity in lymphoid cells cotransfected with pEBV-RZ, a genomic expression construct that includes genes for the EBV immediate-early transactivator proteins, BZLF-1 and BRLF-1. Within the upstream 1.29-kb sequence, two regions of 140 bp and 101 bp appear to be needed for promoter activity. These results demonstrate that unlike most EBV genes studied thus far, the pol gene contains multiple transcriptional start sites. The upstream regulatory region of the promoter for the pol gene does not contain canonical promoter elements such as TATA and CAAT boxes and, furthermore, is not constitutively active but requires transactivation by two or more viral proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 morphogenesis in T cells by alpha interferon.

Some murine retroviruses exhibit altered release of virus when cells are treated with alpha interferon (IFN-alpha), resulting in the accumulation of intracellular virions in cytoplasmic vacuoles. In studies of the inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha (Wellferon) on acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of human T-cell lines, we found that in C3 cells, the 50% effective concentration was 9 U/ml and the 90% effective concentration was 310 U/ml. There was no apparent accumulation of intracellular particles detected by p24 antigen levels or by processing the cells for electron microscopy. Extracellular reverse transcriptase activity and p24 levels decreased in parallel with increasing IFN, whereas the intracellular viral proteins decreased only slightly. By electron microscopy, cells treated with higher concentrations of IFN (512 U/ml) disclosed very few particles budding into extracellular spaces; no intracellular particles could be seen, despite nearly normal levels of intracellular viral protein detected by the p24 antigen assay and correct processing detected by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. Thus in human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells, the major block produced by IFN-alpha appeared to be late in the viral cycle at the morphogenesis stage of virion production. Chronically infected Jurkat cells treated with IFN appeared to be inhibited in growth rate, as virus production decreased proportionally with cell number.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Inhibitory effects of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogs, including (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine, on Epstein-Barr virus replication.

(S)-9-(3-Hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [(S)-HPMPA], (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-2,6-diaminopurine [(S)-HPMPDAP], cyclic (S)-HPMPA [(S)-cHPMPA], 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP), and (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine [(S)-HPMPC] were examined for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication. The 50% effective concentrations for inhibition of viral DNA replication were 0.16, 0.03, 2.0, 1.5, and 0.08 microM for PMEDAP, (S)-HPMPC, (S)-HPMPDAP, (S)-cHPMPA, and (S)-HPMPA, respectively. The relative efficacies based on the in vitro therapeutic index was (S)-HPMPC (5,000) greater than PMEDAP (1,000) = (S)-HPMPA (1,000) greater than (S)-cHPMPA (136) greater than (S)-HPMPDAP (78). Certain ratios of combinations of (S)-HPMPC with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine produced a synergistic inhibitory effect on EBV genome replication, but others exhibited an antagonistic effect. These results indicate that this series of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogs, and in particular (S)-HPMPC, are potent and selective anti-EBV agents in vitro.

Adenine

EBNA-2 transactivates a lymphoid-specific enhancer in the BamHI C promoter of Epstein-Barr virus.

Among the few Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genes expressed during latency are the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNAs), at least one of which contributes to the ability of the virus to transform B lymphocytes. We have analyzed a promoter located in the BamHI-C fragment of EBV which is responsible for the expression of EBNA-1 in some cell lines. Deletion analysis of a 1.4-kb region 5' of the RNA start site has identified a 700-bp fragment that is required for optimal promoter activity in latently infected B lymphocytes, as shown by promoter constructs linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. This fragment is also able to enhance activity, in an orientation-independent manner, of the simian virus 40 early promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The enhancer element has some constitutive activity in EBV-negative lymphoid cells, which is increased in the presence of the EBNA-2 gene product. Further deletions have shown that the EBNA-2-responsive region requires a 98-bp region that contains a degenerate octamer-binding motif. In epithelial cells there was no enhancer activity regardless of the presence of EBNA-2. These results demonstrate that BamHI-C promoter activity may be dependent not on an enhancer contained in the ori-P, as was previously assumed, but rather on EBNA-2 transactivation of this more proximal enhancer located in the upstream region of the BamHI C promoter itself.

Antigens, Viral

Identification and functional characterization of Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase by in vitro transcription-translation of a cloned gene.

In order to identify the gene encoding the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase, a portion of the BamHI-A fragment containing the fifth leftward open reading frame (BALF5) of the EBV genome was cloned into SP6 and T7 promoter-containing vectors for in vitro transcription-translation. The RNA synthesized in vitro was used to program rabbit reticulocyte lysates, which were analyzed for the synthesis of the putative polymerase polypeptide (110 kDa) and assayed directly for EBV DNA polymerase activity. The polypeptide synthesized by the full-length BALF5 genomic fragment had a molecular mass of 110 kDa. 5'-truncated BALF5 with the first and second ATGs deleted produced 95- and 83-kDa polypeptides, respectively. All three translation products were enzymatically active and displayed resistance to high salt concentrations. The identity of the largest polypeptide as the viral polymerase was established by (i) immunoprecipitation with EBV-positive sera from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and by a rabbit polyclonal antiserum prepared with a synthetic peptide derived from the DNA sequence of BALF5; (ii) identification of a polypeptide of identical size (110 kDa) immunoprecipitated from superinfected Raji cell extracts by these antibodies; and (iii) salt-resistant enzymatic activity which was neutralized by the rabbit EBV antiserum. Thus, BALF5 encodes a functional polymerase identical to that induced in superinfected Raji cells.

Cell Line

Plasmid origin of replication of herpesvirus papio: DNA sequence and enhancer function.

Herpesvirus papio (HVP) is a lymphotropic virus of baboons which is related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and produces latent infection. The nucleotide sequence of the 5,775-base-pair (bp) EcoRI K fragment of HVP, which has previously been shown to confer the ability to replicate autonomously, has been determined. Within this DNA fragment is a region which bears structural and sequence similarity to the ori-P region of EBV. The HVP ori-P region has a 10- by 26-bp tandem array which is related to the 20- by 30-bp tandem array from the EBV ori-P region. In HVP there is an intervening region of 764 bp followed by five partial copies of the 26-bp monomer. Both the EBV and HVP 3' regions have the potential to form dyad structures which, however, differ in arrangement. We also demonstrate that a transcriptional enhancer which requires transactivation by a virus-encoded factor is present in the HVP ori-P.

Animals

Disparate effects of two herpesvirus [corrected] immediate-early gene trans-activators on the HIV-1 LTR.

The BMLF1 region of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome and the immediate-early (IE) region of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) both encode proteins which can trans-activate heterologous promoter/chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) constructs, including a human immunodeficiency virus type-1 promoter/CAT construct. We demonstrate here that this trans-activation by the EBV BMLF1 gene product, which we have previously shown to be largely post-transcriptional, is reporter gene dependent. In contrast, trans-activation by the HCMV-IE gene product(s), previously shown to be mediated at the RNA level, is seen regardless of whether CAT, human growth hormone, or beta-galactosidase is used as the reporter gene. Mutational analysis revealed no specific cis-acting sequences within the HIV-1 promoter which were required for trans-activation by the HCMV-IE gene product(s).

Carcinoma

Synergistic inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus: transformation of B lymphocytes by alpha and gamma interferon and by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine.

We analyzed the effects of 3'-azido-3'deoxythymidine (AZT) and alpha and gamma interferon (IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma) on transformation of human umbilical cord lymphocytes (HUCLs) by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). B lymphocytic outgrowth from HUCLs infected with EBV was monitored by focus formation; the presence of EBV genomes in transformed foci was confirmed by in situ cytohybridization and EBV nuclear antigen. The 50% inhibitory doses for preventing focus formation were 0.14 microM for AZT, 10 units (U)/mL for IFN-alpha, and 1 U/mL for IFN-gamma. To determine whether inhibition resulted from direct cytotoxic effects, we assessed the viability of nontransformed HUCLs exposed to the agents for 30 d. The nontoxic doses were 1 microM for AZT, 30 U/mL for IFN-alpha, and 3 U/mL for IFN-gamma. Combining IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma with AZT or IFN-alpha with IFN-gamma at nontoxic doses showed synergistic decreases in numbers of transformed foci. Transformation of HUCLs by EBV was sensitive to, but not abolished by, these agents at doses below those required for cell killing.

B-Lymphocytes

Epstein-Barr virus with transforming and early antigen-inducing ability originating from nasopharyngeal carcinoma: mapping of the viral genome.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) from a human hybrid epithelial cell line (NPC-KT), derived from the fusion of human adenoidal cells and EBV genome-containing primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (NPC) has both transforming and early antigen (EA)-inducing abilities. EBV DNA from NPC-KT cells was partially digested with TaqI and ligated to the cloning vector pJB8 at the ClaI site. This cosmid library encompassed the whole genomic DNA of the virus except for several kb of the terminal fragments. The identification and location of each of the cloned DNA fragments have been defined by hybridization to blots prepared with B95-8 and NPC-KT virion DNA. Defective heterogeneous restriction enzyme fragments of the viral DNA were not identified in any of the cosmid clones nor detected in hybridizations to virion DNA, which indicates that a single virus population derived from the NPC tissue has both transforming and EA-inducing activities.

Antigens, Viral

Susceptibility of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in vitro to acyclic adenosine analogs and synergy of the analogs with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine.

The replication of human immunodeficiency virus in vitro is inhibited by some acyclic adenosine derivatives, such as 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-2,6-diaminopurine [(S)-HPMPDAP], as well as by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT). In a human T-lymphocyte cell line, C3, at 6 days postinfection, the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of AZT was 0.02 microM and the 90% effective concentration (EC90) was 0.33 microM; for PMEA, the EC50 was 1.9 microM and the EC90 was 27 microM. For (S)-HPMPDAP, the EC50 was 2.3 microM and the EC90 was 36 microM. Most combinations of AZT and PMEA produced a synergistic effect. In the T-cell line C3, the combination indices for 50 to 90% inhibition of virus replication ranged from 0.25 to 1.25. Combinations of PMEA (or other members of this group) with AZT appear to be worth further study for the possible treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Adenine

Analysis of the Epstein-Barr virus origin of plasmid replication (oriP) reveals an area of nucleosome sparing that spans the 3' dyad.

The Epstein-Barr virus oriP, when examined with the use of in vitro nucleosome reconstitution, was found to exhibit a partial sparing of nucleosome assembly within the 3' dyad. Analysis of the homologous region containing the origin of replication of herpesvirus papio disclosed that sparing of nucleosome assembly was conserved between these two related viruses.

Animals

Epstein-Barr virus and interactions with human retroviruses.

There is accumulating evidence for interaction of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): EBV and HIV may coinfect B-lymphocytes; the prevalence of active EBV is increased in active homosexuals; and EBV-related B-cell lymphomas occur frequently in AIDS patients. We have shown that cord-blood B-lymphocytes may become infected by HIV once preinfected and transformed by EBV. The present paper, in addition, summarizes mechanisms of transactivation of an HIV LTR construct by an EBV gene product. Also, preliminary data are presented on the activation of an EBV promoter by the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1).

B-Lymphocytes

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus agent 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus.

We show that the anti-human immunodeficiency virus agent, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), which suppresses infectivity and cytopathic effects of human immunodeficiency virus, also effectively inhibits Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA replication. However, AZT has no effect on four other human herpesviruses: cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. The combination of acyclovir and AZT, while it is not synergistic, has an additive effect against EBV replication. AZT may prove to be a useful drug for treatment of coinfections with human immunodeficiency virus and EBV.

Cell Line