Skip to main content
PMC home page
The EMBO Journal logoLink to The EMBO Journal
. 1989 Jun;8(6):1819–1826. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb03576.x

Epstein-Barr virus bicistronic mRNAs generated by facultative splicing code for two transcriptional trans-activators.

E Manet 1, H Gruffat 1, M C Trescol-Biemont 1, N Moreno 1, P Chambard 1, J F Giot 1, A Sergeant 1
PMCID: PMC401028  PMID: 2548857

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome codes for several transcriptional trans-activators. One of them, the BZLF1 open reading frame (ORF)-encoded product EB1, is able to induce the productive cycle in infected B cells. From the cloning and characterization of full-length cDNAs, we found that EB1 could be made from three overlapping messenger RNAs expressed under the control of two different promoters that we call P1 and P2. The first mRNA, 1 kb long, is made from the P1 promoter and codes for EB1 alone. The two other mRNAs, respectively 3 and 4 kb long and made by facultative splicing, are bicistronic mRNAs. They code not only for the trans-activator EB1 but also for a second EBV transcriptional trans-activator R, encoded by the BRLF1 ORF. In effect, authentic EB1 and R proteins are expressed from the 3 and 4 kb long cDNAs as demonstrated by identification of the proteins with specific antisera. In addition, EB1 and R expressed from the 3 and 4 kb cDNAs activate transcription from their specific targets in the EBV early promoter DR.

Full text

PDF
1819

Images in this article

1820Image
on p.1820
1821Image
on p.1821
1823Image
on p.1823

Selected References

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

  1. Angel P., Hattori K., Smeal T., Karin M. The jun proto-oncogene is positively autoregulated by its product, Jun/AP-1. Cell. 1988 Dec 2;55(5):875–885. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(88)90143-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Baer R., Bankier A. T., Biggin M. D., Deininger P. L., Farrell P. J., Gibson T. J., Hatfull G., Hudson G. S., Satchwell S. C., Séguin C. DNA sequence and expression of the B95-8 Epstein-Barr virus genome. Nature. 1984 Jul 19;310(5974):207–211. doi: 10.1038/310207a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Biggin M., Bodescot M., Perricaudet M., Farrell P. Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in P3HR1-superinfected Raji cells. J Virol. 1987 Oct;61(10):3120–3132. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.10.3120-3132.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bodescot M., Perricaudet M. Epstein-Barr virus mRNAs produced by alternative splicing. Nucleic Acids Res. 1986 Sep 11;14(17):7103–7114. doi: 10.1093/nar/14.17.7103. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Burnette W. N. "Western blotting": electrophoretic transfer of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gels to unmodified nitrocellulose and radiographic detection with antibody and radioiodinated protein A. Anal Biochem. 1981 Apr;112(2):195–203. doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(81)90281-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Chavrier P., Gruffat H., Chevallier-Greco A., Buisson M., Sergeant A. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early promoter DR contains a cis-acting element responsive to the EBV transactivator EB1 and an enhancer with constitutive and inducible activities. J Virol. 1989 Feb;63(2):607–614. doi: 10.1128/jvi.63.2.607-614.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Chevallier-Greco A., Gruffat H., Manet E., Calender A., Sergeant A. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DR enhancer contains two functionally different domains: domain A is constitutive and cell specific, domain B is transactivated by the EBV early protein R. J Virol. 1989 Feb;63(2):615–623. doi: 10.1128/jvi.63.2.615-623.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Chevallier-Greco A., Manet E., Chavrier P., Mosnier C., Daillie J., Sergeant A. Both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded trans-acting factors, EB1 and EB2, are required to activate transcription from an EBV early promoter. EMBO J. 1986 Dec 1;5(12):3243–3249. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1986.tb04635.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Countryman J., Jenson H., Seibl R., Wolf H., Miller G. Polymorphic proteins encoded within BZLF1 of defective and standard Epstein-Barr viruses disrupt latency. J Virol. 1987 Dec;61(12):3672–3679. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.12.3672-3679.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Countryman J., Miller G. Activation of expression of latent Epstein-Barr herpesvirus after gene transfer with a small cloned subfragment of heterogeneous viral DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Jun;82(12):4085–4089. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.12.4085. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Denhardt D. T. A membrane-filter technique for the detection of complementary DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1966 Jun 13;23(5):641–646. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(66)90447-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Farrell P. J., Rowe D. T., Rooney C. M., Kouzarides T. Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 trans-activator specifically binds to a consensus AP-1 site and is related to c-fos. EMBO J. 1989 Jan;8(1):127–132. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb03356.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Glisin V., Crkvenjakov R., Byus C. Ribonucleic acid isolated by cesium chloride centrifugation. Biochemistry. 1974 Jun 4;13(12):2633–2637. doi: 10.1021/bi00709a025. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Gorman C. M., Moffat L. F., Howard B. H. Recombinant genomes which express chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in mammalian cells. Mol Cell Biol. 1982 Sep;2(9):1044–1051. doi: 10.1128/mcb.2.9.1044. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Gubler U., Hoffman B. J. A simple and very efficient method for generating cDNA libraries. Gene. 1983 Nov;25(2-3):263–269. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(83)90230-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Hardwick J. M., Lieberman P. M., Hayward S. D. A new Epstein-Barr virus transactivator, R, induces expression of a cytoplasmic early antigen. J Virol. 1988 Jul;62(7):2274–2284. doi: 10.1128/jvi.62.7.2274-2284.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Jalinot P., Kédinger C. Negative regulatory sequences in the EIa-inducible enhancer of the adenovirus-2 early EIIa promoter. Nucleic Acids Res. 1986 Mar 25;14(6):2651–2669. doi: 10.1093/nar/14.6.2651. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Jenson H. B., Miller G. Polymorphisms of the region of the Epstein-Barr virus genome which disrupts latency. Virology. 1988 Aug;165(2):549–564. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(88)90599-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. 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]
  20. Laux G., Freese U. K., Bornkamm G. W. Structure and evolution of two related transcription units of Epstein-Barr virus carrying small tandem repeats. J Virol. 1985 Dec;56(3):987–995. doi: 10.1128/jvi.56.3.987-995.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Laux G., Freese U. K., Fischer R., Polack A., Kofler E., Bornkamm G. W. TPA-inducible Epstein-Barr virus genes in Raji cells and their regulation. Virology. 1988 Feb;162(2):503–507. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(88)90496-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Laux G., Perricaudet M., Farrell P. J. A spliced Epstein-Barr virus gene expressed in immortalized lymphocytes is created by circularization of the linear viral genome. EMBO J. 1988 Mar;7(3):769–774. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1988.tb02874.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Lehrach H., Diamond D., Wozney J. M., Boedtker H. RNA molecular weight determinations by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, a critical reexamination. Biochemistry. 1977 Oct 18;16(21):4743–4751. doi: 10.1021/bi00640a033. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Lieberman P. M., O'Hare P., Hayward G. S., Hayward S. D. Promiscuous trans activation of gene expression by an Epstein-Barr virus-encoded early nuclear protein. J Virol. 1986 Oct;60(1):140–148. doi: 10.1128/jvi.60.1.140-148.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Madjar J. J., Nielsen-Smith K., Frahm M., Roufa D. J. Emetine resistance in chinese hamster ovary cells is associated with an altered ribosomal protein S14 mRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982 Feb;79(4):1003–1007. doi: 10.1073/pnas.79.4.1003. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Marschall M., Leser U., Seibl R., Wolf H. Identification of proteins encoded by Epstein-Barr virus trans-activator genes. J Virol. 1989 Feb;63(2):938–942. doi: 10.1128/jvi.63.2.938-942.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Maxam A. M., Gilbert W. Sequencing end-labeled DNA with base-specific chemical cleavages. Methods Enzymol. 1980;65(1):499–560. doi: 10.1016/s0076-6879(80)65059-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Oguro M. O., Shimizu N., Ono Y., Takada K. Both the rightward and the leftward open reading frames within the BamHI M DNA fragment of Epstein-Barr virus act as trans-activators of gene expression. J Virol. 1987 Oct;61(10):3310–3313. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.10.3310-3313.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Okayama H., Berg P. A cDNA cloning vector that permits expression of cDNA inserts in mammalian cells. Mol Cell Biol. 1983 Feb;3(2):280–289. doi: 10.1128/mcb.3.2.280. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Okayama H., Berg P. High-efficiency cloning of full-length cDNA. Mol Cell Biol. 1982 Feb;2(2):161–170. doi: 10.1128/mcb.2.2.161. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Pfitzner A. J., Strominger J. L., Speck S. H. Characterization of a cDNA clone corresponding to a transcript from the Epstein-Barr virus BamHI M fragment: evidence for overlapping mRNAs. J Virol. 1987 Sep;61(9):2943–2946. doi: 10.1128/jvi.61.9.2943-2946.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Sample J., Hummel M., Braun D., Birkenbach M., Kieff E. Nucleotide sequences of mRNAs encoding Epstein-Barr virus nuclear proteins: a probable transcriptional initiation site. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 Jul;83(14):5096–5100. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.14.5096. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Seibl R., Motz M., Wolf H. Strain-specific transcription and translation of the BamHI Z area of Epstein-Barr Virus. J Virol. 1986 Dec;60(3):902–909. doi: 10.1128/jvi.60.3.902-909.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Takada K., Shimizu N., Sakuma S., Ono Y. trans activation of the latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome after transfection of the EBV DNA fragment. J Virol. 1986 Mar;57(3):1016–1022. doi: 10.1128/jvi.57.3.1016-1022.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Urier G., Buisson M., Chambard P., Sergeant A. The Epstein-Barr virus early protein EB1 activates transcription from different responsive elements including AP-1 binding sites. EMBO J. 1989 May;8(5):1447–1453. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb03527.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. 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]
  37. Wigler M., Pellicer A., Silverstein S., Axel R. Biochemical transfer of single-copy eucaryotic genes using total cellular DNA as donor. Cell. 1978 Jul;14(3):725–731. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(78)90254-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. zur Hausen H., O'Neill F. J., Freese U. K., Hecker E. Persisting oncogenic herpesvirus induced by the tumour promotor TPA. Nature. 1978 Mar 23;272(5651):373–375. doi: 10.1038/272373a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The EMBO Journal are provided here courtesy of Nature Publishing Group

RESOURCES