Activation of the human endogenous retrovirus W long terminal repeat by herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate early protein 1

Mol Cells. 2003 Feb 28;15(1):75-80.

Abstract

The U3 region of the human endogenous retrovirus W long terminal repeat (HERV-W LTR) contains several putative regulatory sequences that regulate the transcription of neighboring cellular genes, as well as viral genes. We found that the LTR-directed transcription of the HERV-W can be induced by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The effect was partly mediated by the action of the HSV-1 immediate early protein 1 (IE1), and required an Oct-1 binding site that is located in the LTR. Results from the gel shift assay also suggest that HSV-1 stimulates the LTR through enhancing the DNA binding activity of Oct-1. This effect might be important in understanding both the HERV-W- and HSV-1-mediated pathogenesis, because HERVs represent an important class of retro-transpositional mutagens, and could also provide a new regulatory element for the nearby cellular genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
  • Genes, Immediate-Early
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genes, Viral
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology*
  • Host Cell Factor C1
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / physiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Luciferases / biosynthesis
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-1
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Teratocarcinoma / pathology
  • Terminal Repeat Sequences*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HCFC1 protein, human
  • Host Cell Factor C1
  • IE1 protein, Human herpesvirus 1
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-1
  • POU2F1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Viral Proteins
  • DNA
  • Luciferases