Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of Virology logoLink to Journal of Virology
. 1988 Sep;62(9):3334–3340. doi: 10.1128/jvi.62.9.3334-3340.1988

Translational control of cytomegalovirus gene expression is mediated by upstream AUG codons.

A P Geballe 1, E S Mocarski 1
PMCID: PMC253455  PMID: 2841486

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus regulates gene expression at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. We have characterized posttranscriptional signals carried on the RNA of one beta (or delayed-early) gene, signals that we show delay the translation of an actively transcribed gene. The cis-acting components of this signal map to two upstream AUG codons in the 5' leader of the beta gene transcript that act to delay the kinetics and reduce the levels of gene expression. Both upstream AUG codons are part of short open reading frames, and the presence of either is sufficient to suppress expression of a downstream open reading frame. These upstream natural AUG codons appear to act in cis at the level of translation, consistent with the scanning hypothesis of eucaryotic translation. The occurrence of natural upstream AUG codons in other cytomegalovirus transcripts suggests their physiological significance in influencing the kinetics and steady-state levels of gene expression during viral growth.

Full text

PDF
3334

Images in this article

3336Image
on p.3336

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Batterson W., Roizman B. Characterization of the herpes simplex virion-associated factor responsible for the induction of alpha genes. J Virol. 1983 May;46(2):371–377. doi: 10.1128/jvi.46.2.371-377.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Campbell M. E., Palfreyman J. W., Preston C. M. Identification of herpes simplex virus DNA sequences which encode a trans-acting polypeptide responsible for stimulation of immediate early transcription. J Mol Biol. 1984 Nov 25;180(1):1–19. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(84)90427-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Carter P., Bedouelle H., Winter G. Improved oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors. Nucleic Acids Res. 1985 Jun 25;13(12):4431–4443. doi: 10.1093/nar/13.12.4431. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Chirgwin J. M., Przybyla A. E., MacDonald R. J., Rutter W. J. Isolation of biologically active ribonucleic acid from sources enriched in ribonuclease. Biochemistry. 1979 Nov 27;18(24):5294–5299. doi: 10.1021/bi00591a005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Davis M. G., Huang E. S. Nucleotide sequence of a human cytomegalovirus DNA fragment encoding a 67-kilodalton phosphorylated viral protein. J Virol. 1985 Oct;56(1):7–11. doi: 10.1128/jvi.56.1.7-11.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Demarchi J. M. Human cytomegalovirus DNA: restriction enzyme cleavage maps and map locations for immediate-early, early, and late RNAs. Virology. 1981 Oct 15;114(1):23–38. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(81)90249-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Feinberg A. P., Vogelstein B. A technique for radiolabeling DNA restriction endonuclease fragments to high specific activity. Anal Biochem. 1983 Jul 1;132(1):6–13. doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(83)90418-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Geballe A. P., Leach F. S., Mocarski E. S. Regulation of cytomegalovirus late gene expression: gamma genes are controlled by posttranscriptional events. J Virol. 1986 Mar;57(3):864–874. doi: 10.1128/jvi.57.3.864-874.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Geballe A. P., Spaete R. R., Mocarski E. S. A cis-acting element within the 5' leader of a cytomegalovirus beta transcript determines kinetic class. Cell. 1986 Sep 12;46(6):865–872. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90068-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Goins W. F., Stinski M. F. Expression of a human cytomegalovirus late gene is posttranscriptionally regulated by a 3'-end-processing event occurring exclusively late after infection. Mol Cell Biol. 1986 Dec;6(12):4202–4213. doi: 10.1128/mcb.6.12.4202. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Greenaway P. J., Wilkinson G. W. Nucleotide sequence of the most abundantly transcribed early gene of human cytomegalovirus strain AD169. Virus Res. 1987 Feb;7(1):17–31. doi: 10.1016/0168-1702(87)90055-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Hackett P. B., Petersen R. B., Hensel C. H., Albericio F., Gunderson S. I., Palmenberg A. C., Barany G. Synthesis in vitro of a seven amino acid peptide encoded in the leader RNA of Rous sarcoma virus. J Mol Biol. 1986 Jul 5;190(1):45–57. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(86)90074-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Jahn G., Kouzarides T., Mach M., Scholl B. C., Plachter B., Traupe B., Preddie E., Satchwell S. C., Fleckenstein B., Barrell B. G. Map position and nucleotide sequence of the gene for the large structural phosphoprotein of human cytomegalovirus. J Virol. 1987 May;61(5):1358–1367. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.5.1358-1367.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Khalili K., Brady J., Khoury G. Translational regulation of SV40 early mRNA defines a new viral protein. Cell. 1987 Feb 27;48(4):639–645. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(87)90242-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Kouzarides T., Bankier A. T., Satchwell S. C., Weston K., Tomlinson P., Barrell B. G. Large-scale rearrangement of homologous regions in the genomes of HCMV and EBV. Virology. 1987 Apr;157(2):397–413. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(87)90282-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Kouzarides T., Bankier A. T., Satchwell S. C., Weston K., Tomlinson P., Barrell B. G. Sequence and transcription analysis of the human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase gene. J Virol. 1987 Jan;61(1):125–133. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.1.125-133.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Kozak M. Bifunctional messenger RNAs in eukaryotes. Cell. 1986 Nov 21;47(4):481–483. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90609-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kozak M. Comparison of initiation of protein synthesis in procaryotes, eucaryotes, and organelles. Microbiol Rev. 1983 Mar;47(1):1–45. doi: 10.1128/mr.47.1.1-45.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Kozak M. How do eucaryotic ribosomes select initiation regions in messenger RNA? Cell. 1978 Dec;15(4):1109–1123. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(78)90039-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Kozak M. Influences of mRNA secondary structure on initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 May;83(9):2850–2854. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.9.2850. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kozak M. Point mutations define a sequence flanking the AUG initiator codon that modulates translation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Cell. 1986 Jan 31;44(2):283–292. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90762-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Lawson T. G., Ray B. K., Dodds J. T., Grifo J. A., Abramson R. D., Merrick W. C., Betsch D. F., Weith H. L., Thach R. E. Influence of 5' proximal secondary structure on the translational efficiency of eukaryotic mRNAs and on their interaction with initiation factors. J Biol Chem. 1986 Oct 25;261(30):13979–13989. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. McDonough S. H., Spector D. H. Transcription in human fibroblasts permissively infected by human cytomegalovirus strain AD169. Virology. 1983 Feb;125(1):31–46. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(83)90061-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. McDonough S. H., Staprans S. I., Spector D. H. Analysis of the major transcripts encoded by the long repeat of human cytomegalovirus strain AD169. J Virol. 1985 Mar;53(3):711–718. doi: 10.1128/jvi.53.3.711-718.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. McKnight J. L., Pellett P. E., Jenkins F. J., Roizman B. Characterization and nucleotide sequence of two herpes simplex virus 1 genes whose products modulate alpha-trans-inducing factor-dependent activation of alpha genes. J Virol. 1987 Apr;61(4):992–1001. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.4.992-1001.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Mueller P. P., Hinnebusch A. G. Multiple upstream AUG codons mediate translational control of GCN4. Cell. 1986 Apr 25;45(2):201–207. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90384-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Pellett P. E., McKnight J. L., Jenkins F. J., Roizman B. Nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of a protein encoded in a small herpes simplex virus DNA fragment capable of trans-inducing alpha genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Sep;82(17):5870–5874. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.17.5870. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Post L. E., Mackem S., Roizman B. Regulation of alpha genes of herpes simplex virus: expression of chimeric genes produced by fusion of thymidine kinase with alpha gene promoters. Cell. 1981 May;24(2):555–565. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(81)90346-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Sanger F., Nicklen S., Coulson A. R. DNA sequencing with chain-terminating inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977 Dec;74(12):5463–5467. doi: 10.1073/pnas.74.12.5463. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Spaete R. R., Mocarski E. S. Insertion and deletion mutagenesis of the human cytomegalovirus genome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Oct;84(20):7213–7217. doi: 10.1073/pnas.84.20.7213. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Spaete R. R., Mocarski E. S. Regulation of cytomegalovirus gene expression: alpha and beta promoters are trans activated by viral functions in permissive human fibroblasts. J Virol. 1985 Oct;56(1):135–143. doi: 10.1128/jvi.56.1.135-143.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Stinski M. F. Sequence of protein synthesis in cells infected by human cytomegalovirus: early and late virus-induced polypeptides. J Virol. 1978 Jun;26(3):686–701. doi: 10.1128/jvi.26.3.686-701.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Wang F., Petti L., Braun D., Seung S., Kieff E. A bicistronic Epstein-Barr virus mRNA encodes two nuclear proteins in latently infected, growth-transformed lymphocytes. J Virol. 1987 Apr;61(4):945–954. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.4.945-954.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Wathen M. W., Stinski M. F. Temporal patterns of human cytomegalovirus transcription: mapping the viral RNAs synthesized at immediate early, early, and late times after infection. J Virol. 1982 Feb;41(2):462–477. doi: 10.1128/jvi.41.2.462-477.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Werner M., Feller A., Messenguy F., Piérard A. The leader peptide of yeast gene CPA1 is essential for the translational repression of its expression. Cell. 1987 Jun 19;49(6):805–813. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(87)90618-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Virology are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES