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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulatory function of simian virus 40 DNA replication for late viral gene expression.

Inhibition of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA synthesis prevents late but not early viral gene expression in infected cells. To test whether the late SV40 template specificity is elicited by replicative intermediate DNA molecules (RI-DNA), we isolated subcellular fractions containing RI-DNA from SV-40-infected monkey cells and microinjected these preparations into various cell lines under conditions in which viral DNA synthesis was blocked. Late SV40 gene expression (V-antigen synthesis) was obtained by microinjection of wild-type RI-DNA or temperature-sensitive mutant A7 RI-DNA preparations at 37 degrees or 41.5 degrees, respectively, while SV40 native superhelical DNA (DNA I) at a 10-fold higher concentration failed to induce V-antigen synthesis under the restrictive conditions. V-antigen synthesis was also obtained by microinjection of partially denatured SV40 DNA or a high number of randomly nicked DNA molecules (DNA II) in the absence of DNA synthesis; both single-stranded regions and nicks are specific features of RI-DNA molecules.

Antigens, Viral

Endogenous viral genes of the White Leghorn chicken: common site of residence and sites associated with specific phenotypes of viral gene expression.

The DNAs from greater than 150 individual White Leghorn chickens were digested with restriction endonucleases BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII, and Sst I, fractionated by gel electrophoresis, denatured, and transferred to nitrocellulose filters. Fragments containing the endogenous viral genes were detected by hybridization with 70S Rous associated virus type 2[32P]RNA. Embryos of several different phenotypes with respect to production of the endogenous virus and expression of viral group-specific antigen and viral envelope protein were analyzed. DNA from birds of each phenotype produced a distinctive pattern of fragments containing viral genetic information. Individual fragments were seen to segregate as genetic loci in mating experiments. From the fragment patterns and the segregation data, the following conclusions were drawn with respect to the sites of residence in the chicken chromosome of the endogenous viral genes: (i) the DNA of all chickens contains viral genetic information in at least one site, and this site of residence appears to be the same in all chickens analyzed; (ii) four other sites have been identified, and the presence of viral information at each of these sites is always accompanied by a specific phenotype of endogenous viral gene expression; (iii) in addition to the above-mentioned five sites, a small number of other sites have been identified which are not associated with a known phenotype.

Animals

Quantitative correlation between simian virus 40 T-antigen synthesis and late viral gene expression in permissive and nonpermissive cells.

The time-course of intranuclear Simian virus 40 (SV40) tumor (T) antigen synthesis and accumulation in permissive CV1 monkey cells and nonpermissive 3T3 mouse cells has been studied by immunofluorescence and cytofluorometry. CV1 cells accumulate T antigen continuously over a period of 48 h after infection, whereas in 3T3 cells the T-antigen content remains about constant and at a comparatively low level. Only those CV1 cells which have attained a threshold concentration of intranuclear T antigen synthesize viral capsid proteins (V antigen). In nonpermissive 3T3 cells, the T-antigen threshold value for the onset of V-antigen synthesis is higher than in CV1 cells and is never reached by infected cells. However, 3T3 cells microinjected with sufficient amounts of SV40 DNA easily surpass this value and behave permissively.

Antigens, Neoplasm

Viral gene expression in murine sarcoma virus(murine leukemia virus)-infected cells.

NIH 3T3 cells infected with Moloney murine sarcoma virus (murine leukemia virus) produce virions which contain about 99% murine sarcoma virus RNA and 1% murine leukemia virus RNA. This report describes experiments which measured intracellular concentrations of proviral DNA and RNA transcripts for each of the viruses. We found that three to four copies of proviral DNA from each virus were integrated into the cellular DNA. Measurements of RNA specific for each of the genomes by hybridization to specific cDNA reagents revealed a 10- to 15-fold difference in concentration in both nuclear and polysomal RNA fractions, with murine sarcoma virus RNA predominating in both cases. Unless there are major differences in stability between the two viral RNAs, our results suggest that transcriptional control is responsible for much of the difference in final levels of virus synthesis.

Cell Line

Type C viral gag gene expression in chicken embryo fibroblasts and avian sarcoma virus-transformed mammalian cells.

Sensitive radioimmunoassays were developed for avian type C viral gag gene-coded proteins. These assays were used to examine the restriction to virus production by avian embryo cells and mammalian cells transformed by avian sarcoma viruses. The results indicate that although a high-molecular-weight primary translational product of the gag gene is expressed, its cleavage and processing are incomplete. Furthermore, analysis of intermediate cleavage products provided information regarding the order of sequences coding for the individual viral proteins within the avian type C viral gag gene.

Alpharetrovirus

The human cytomegalovirus vGPCR UL33 is essential for efficient lytic replication in epithelial cells.

UNLABELLED: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a β-herpesvirus that is ubiquitous in the human population. HCMV has the largest genome of the human herpesviruses and encodes an array of genes that affect pathogenesis in different cell types. Given the ability of HCMV to replicate in a range of cell types, investigators have begun to identify viral proteins required for cell type-specific replication. There are four proteins encoded by HCMV that are homologous to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); these viral GPCRs (vGPCRs) are UL33, UL78, US27, and US28. In this study, we find that deletion of all four vGPCR genes severely attenuates HCMV replication in primary human salivary gland epithelial cells and ARPE-19 retinal epithelial cells, as evidenced by decreases in viral gene expression and virus production. Deletion of UL33 from the HCMV genome also results in a failure to efficiently replicate in epithelial cells, and this defect is manifested by decreased levels of viral gene expression and virus production. We find that, similar to US28, UL33 constitutively activates Gαq signaling to high levels in epithelial cells. We also find that UL33 transcription is more complicated than originally believed, and there is the potential for the virus to utilize various 5' UTRs to create novel UL33 proteins that are all capable of constitutive Gαq signaling. Taken together, these studies provide novel molecular and biochemical data regarding UL33 expression, subcellular localization, and signaling, and indicate that UL33 activity is essential for efficient HCMV replication in cells of epithelial origin. IMPORTANCE: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replicates in a number of cell types and tissues in vivo, and the viral genes involved in cell type-specific replication are just beginning to be elucidated. The HCMV-encoded viral G protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs) UL33, UL78, US27, and US28 are proving to play important roles in multiple aspects of HCMV replication, including the establishment and maintenance of latency. Here, we demonstrate that the HCMV vGPCRs and UL33, in particular, play an important role in driving lytic replication in cells of epithelial origin, including those derived from the salivary gland. This work expands on potential functions of the vGPCRs, will drive future studies to understand mechanistically how they affect tropism, and provides a new target for future therapeutics.

Gαq

A Patient-Derived iPSC-Based Model Reveals Neural Lineage-Specific Transcription of Endogenous HHV-6B.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous human herpesvirus 6 (eHHV-6), in which the entire viral genome is integrated into human chromosomes, is present in approximately 1% of the population and has been associated with various clinical conditions, including neurological disorders. However, its biological significance remains unclear due to the lack of appropriate experimental models. METHODS: We established a patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based tissue culture model using lymphoblastoid cell lines from individuals with eHHV-6B. iPSCs retaining the integrated viral genome were generated and subsequently differentiated into neural stem cells (NSCs). Viral gene expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR under basal conditions and following chemical stimulation. RESULTS: The integrated HHV-6B genome was transcriptionally silent in iPSCs but exhibited spontaneous low-level expression of the immediate-early gene U90 and the late gene U100 in NSCs. Chemical stimulation further enhanced U90 expression, whereas induction of U100 did not reach statistical significance. These findings indicate preferential activation of early viral transcriptional programs in neural lineage cells. CONCLUSIONS: Neural lineage cells provide a permissive environment for expression of eHHV-6B transcripts. This patient-derived iPSC-based model provides a platform for investigating the biological significance of neural lineage-specific eHHV-6 transcripts and may facilitate interpretation of HHV-6 DNA detection in patients with eHHV-6 by enabling studies of cell type-dependent viral transcription.

endogenous HHV-6

Functional analysis of stem-loop structures within the SARS-CoV-2 5' untranslated region using a plasmid-based reporter system.

The 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains highly conserved stem-loop structures that regulate viral gene expression. This study investigated the functional contributions of selected 5'UTR stem-loop elements to reporter gene expression using a plasmid-based mammalian expression system. Five constructs were tested using a non-integrating plasmid: the wild-type (WT) 5'UTR fused to GFP under the CMV promoter, and four deletion variants (&#x394;B, &#x394;C, &#x394;D, and &#x394;E) corresponding to deletions of stem-loop 4 (SL4), SL4.5, SL5, and SL5a, respectively. Following transfection into HEK293 cells, GFP fluorescence was quantified using a fluorescence microplate reader, and relative GFP transcript abundance was assessed by RT-qPCR. Deletion of SL4 (&#x394;B) resulted in marked reduction in both fluorescence and relative transcript abundance compared to WT construct, indicating substantially reduced reporter gene expression. In contrast, deletion of SL4.5, SL5, or SL5a did not produce the pronounced reduction observed for &#x394;B, although descriptive RT-qPCR analysis indicated differences in relative transcript abundance among these variants. Statistical analysis of fluorescence data demonstrated significant differences among constructs (one-way ANOVA, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Because the reporter assay was based on plasmid expression, the observed differences likely reflect combined contributions from transcription, transcript abundance, RNA stability, and translation rather than translation alone. These findings demonstrate that the SL4 region contributes substantially to reporter gene expression in this experimental system, whereas the remaining stem-loop regions examined exert comparatively modest effects. This study provides additional insight into the functional organization of the SARS-CoV-2 5'UTR and establishes a framework for future investigations aimed at distinguished the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational contributions of individual RNA structural elements.

5' Untranslated Regions

Viral gene functions expressed and detected by temperature-sensitive mutants of herpes simplex virus.

The expression of HSV-specific gene functions by 22 ts mutants of HSV-1 in 15 complementation groups and 8 ts mutants of HSV-2 in 7 complementation groups has been studied at the nonpermissive temperature. Four cistrons of HSV-1 and three cistrons of HSV-2 with defects in viral DNA and DAN polymerase synthesis were identified. DNA-mutants of HSV-1 revealed a greater alteration in HSV polypeptide synthesis and viral assembly than DNA- mutants of HSV-2. Mutants with apparent defects in structural proteins have been identified for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 as demonstrated by their increased themolability. The general organization of the provisional HSV-1 and HSV-2 linkage maps revealed a similarity in the arrangement of functionally related cistrons, with DNA- mutants being located on the left-hand side of each map and mutants with phenotypic properties similar to those of the wild-type virus, on the right-hand side. An early polypeptide of HSV (VP175, MW 175,000) was found to accumulate in cells infected at the nonpermissive temperature withts mutants of HSV-1 in complementation group B. The VP175 polypeptide was isolated from such cells by a combination of SDS-preparative and analytical disc gel electrophoresis. Antiserum prepared to this polypeptide was found to descriminate between HSV-1 and HSV-2 by immunofluorescence. On the other hand, type-specific gene functions of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were not demonstrated through intertypic complementation and recombination tests with heterologous mutant pairs, whereas mutually exchangeable or common gene functions were readily identified. Eight ts mutants of HSV-2 were used to detect functional HSV genes in hamster embryo cells transformed by HSV-2. Normal hamster cells and SV40-transformed hamster cells failed to support the replication of the mutants at the nonpermissive temperature. However, the replication of two mutants, defective in late functions, was significantly enhanced in two independently derived HSV-2-transformed cell lines. Thus functional HSV genetic information was detected in HSV-2-transformed cells through the use of ts mutants. Moreover, it appears that the information present in both cell lines is not only specific but involves late HSV functions.

Antigens, Viral

Transcription of simian virus 40. V. Regulattion of simian virus 40 gene expression.

RNA "exhaustion type" hybridization was used to measure the complementarity of nuclear and cytoplasmic viral RNA to the early (E) and late (L) simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA strands. This type of hybridization measures the amount of labeled RNA complementary to each of the two DNA strands, rather than the fraction of each SV40 DNA strand that is homologous to SV40 RNA. At 48 h after infection, about 5% of the nuclear newly synthesized viral RNA was complementary to the E-strand (- strand) and 95% was complementary to the L-strand (+ strand). This proportion was independent of the labeling time, indicating similar accumulation of the E- and L-RNA transcripts in the nucleus. The nuclear E- and L-viral RNA transcripts sedimented in a similar manner on sucrose gradients. Of the cytoplasmic viral RNA only about 1% was complementary to the E-strand, these molecules sedimenting at 19S, whereas 99% were complementary to the L-strand and sedimented at 19S and 16S. The abundance of E-RNA transcripts in nuclei of cells infected with serially passaged virus was about four times higher than that in nuclei of cells infected with plaque-purified virus; however, the size and proportion of the corresponding cytoplasmic E- and L-RNA transcripts was independent of the type of virus used to infect the cells. According to these results at least two control mechanisms regulate viral gene expression in productively infected cells, one operates at the trnascriptional level and the second at the post-transcriptional level.

Cell Line

Type C RNA virus proteins: lack of binding specificity to host cell chromosomal DNA in vitro.

Through the use of two different DNA-protein reconstitution methods, we examined the potential role of type C RNA tumor virus proteins as putative regulatory agents in the control of virus expression. Rauscher murine leukemia virus, purified from chronically infected rat cell cultures, was iodinated in vitro with [125I], and dissociated in a nondetergent high-ionic-strength urea-containing buffer. The chemically separated [125I]-labeled viral polypetides were reconstituted with purified DNA by affinity column chromatography and by gradient dialysis renaturation. In both instances, no detectable amount of radioactivity specifically bound to double-stranded DNA of any origin. This observation was in contrast to the binding behavior of identically prepared and radiolabeled, nonhistone chromosomal proteins purified from rat cell nuclei. This finding may rule out, in eukaryotic cells, a well-described prokarytoic regulatory mechanism for the control of integrated viral gene expression.

Animals

Expression of baboon endogenous virus in exogenously infected baboon cells.

Strains of low-passage, fetal diploid, baboon (Papio cynocephalus) fibroblasts were susceptible to exogenous infection with three independent isolates of baboon endogenous virus, as measured by an immunofluorescence assay specific for viral p28. Infectivity of the M7 strain of baboon endogenous virus for baboon cells of fetal skin muscle origin was equivalent to that for human and dog cells in that similar, linear, single-hit titration patterns were obtained. The assay for supernatant RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, however, showed that baboon cells produced only low levels of virus after infection compared with the production by heterologous cells. The results showed that baboon endogenous virus was capable of penetrating baboon cells and that viral genes were expressed in infected cells. Replication of complete infectious virus was restricted, however, indicating that in this primate system homologous cells differentially regulated the expression of viral genes.

Animals

An adenovirus type 5 early gene function regulates expression of other early viral genes.

We have identified an adenovirus type 5(Ad5) early gene function located in early region 1 which is required for the production of early cytoplasmic mRNAs corresponding to early regions 2, 3, and 4. Mutant dl312 (lacks the segment between 1.5 and 4.5 map units) grows as well as wild-type virus in 293 cells (Ad5-transformed human embryonic kidney cells), but its growth is severely restricted in HeLa cells. We detect no viral RNAs in the cytoplasm of dl312-infected HeLa cells. Viral RNA sequences are present, however, in dl312-infected HeLa cell nuclei.

Adenoviruses, Human

ATAC-seq for Characterizing Host and Pathogen Genome Accessibility During Virus Infection.

Chromatin regulation provides a mechanism through which cells dynamically and rapidly regulate their gene expression profiles, playing a pivotal role in diverse biological processes and disease states. The Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) is a method that enables genome-wide detection of accessible chromatin regions, providing information on nucleosome positioning and the epigenetic regulation of the chromatin structure. ATAC-seq has been used in various biological contexts, and several reports have demonstrated its application to studying infections with viral or bacterial pathogens. The ability to characterize changes in viral or bacterial genome accessibility during infections provides insights into both pathogen replication and host defense mechanisms. Viral genomes undergo dynamic changes in their structural landscape to facilitate replication and evade host immune responses. Additionally, host cells encode DNA sensors, which are specialized proteins that bind to viral genomes to initiate innate immune responses and sometimes, to suppress viral gene expression. ATAC-seq enables the systematic detection of key structural changes on the viral genome mediated by either viral or host proteins, offering mechanistic insights into virus-host interactions. Here, we describe an ATAC-seq method optimized for studying changes in chromatin accessibility in both host and viral genomes. We have previously applied this method to demonstrate a systematic decrease in the genome accessibility of herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) enabled by a host antiviral factor, the interferon-gamma inducible protein 16 (IFI16) during infection of human fibroblasts. This protocol can be adapted to various biological contexts involving the introduction of foreign DNA, making it a valuable tool for a broad range of research endeavors.

Humans

Latent infection of mouse cells with human cytomegalovirus.

Infection of secondary mouse fibroblast cultures with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) led to the production of viral antigens in the absence of detectable virus replication. Antigen production was not dependent on viral DNA synthesis since it was not inhibited by cytosine arabinoside. Beginning at 15 days post-infection, viral-specific antigens were no longer observable in infected cultures, but could be induced by iododeoxyuridine (IUDR) treatment. Such cultures carry HCMV genetic information in a latent, unexpressed, state. Fusion of latently-infected mouse cells with human fibroblasts also induced viral-specific antigens, but no detectable virus replication, in the resulting heterokaryons. However, upon IUDR treatment of heterokaryons, or of the mouse cells prior to fusion, antigens characteristic of the late stages of virus replication appeared, and infectious CMV could be detected. Thus, it appears that the non-permissive (mouse) cell genome is dominant, and continues to regulate viral gene expression in heterokaryons formed with permissive (human) cells.

Animals