Simian virus 40 small tumor antigen and an amino-terminal domain of large tumor antigen share a common transforming function.

The 82-residue amino-terminal sequences of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (TAg) and small tumor antigen (tAg) are identical. Genetic analysis of TAg lacking amino acids 1-82 revealed that it was transformation-defective, as revealed by the agar growth assay, except when introduced in the presence of tAg. Since the latter, alone, lacks overt transforming activity, it would appear that the function of the sequence common to TAg and tAg is necessary, but not sufficient, for TAg transforming activity and that tAg can provide that function or its equivalent in trans. Thus, tAg may, in part, be viewed as a "portable" copy of a TAg functional domain.     

Brain vascular endothelial cells express JC virus large tumor antigen in immunocompetent and cyclophosphamide-treated hamsters.

When injected intracerebrally into newborn hamsters, the human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) establishes a nonproductive infection resulting in brain tumor formation. Using immunostaining methods to detect the JCV regulatory protein, large tumor antigen (T antigen), we have now demonstrated JCV infection of brain vascular endothelial cells (EC) in infected hamsters. JCV T antigen was detected in lectin-labeled EC as well as in von Willebrand factor-expressing EC in both cyclophosphamide-treated and nonimmunosuppressed hamster brains 16, 21, and 31 days after birth. Cyclophosphamide-treated hamsters exhibited a greater number of JCV-infected EC, whereas T-antigen expression in nonvascular cells was not affected. The influence of cyclophosphamide was most pronounced in the cerebellum where increased numbers of JCV-infected EC were located predominantly at the internal granular layer-white matter junction, also a prominent location for T-antigen-expressing neoplastic foci. The hamster model demonstrates in vivo infection of EC by a human polyomavirus and directs interest toward the role of these cells in human JCV infection.     

Histone deacetylase inhibition and progesterone act synergistically to stimulate baboon glycodelin gene expression

During the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy, the major secretory product of the uterine glandular epithelial cells in humans and non-human primates is glycodelin. Previous studies using Ishikawa cells, a human endometrial cell line, have shown that a chimeric plasmid containing the baboon glycodelin promoter responds to progestins but the response is modest compared with the induction of glycodelin seen in vivo and in gene array analysis. A recent report indicating that the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) promoted glycodelin expression prompted us to examine its mechanism of action. In Ishikawa cells transfected with the baboon glycodelin promoter, TSA and the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate both stimulated expression of the reporter and the combined treatment produced a synergistic effect. The effect of TSA and progestin was absent when the same promoter constructs were transfected into COS-1 cells, a kidney cell line, and a TSA effect but no progestin effect was observed in T47D cells, a mammary cell line. Through deletion analysis, the TSA action was localized to the -67/-52 region of the baboon glycodelin promoter, a region which contains the proximal Sp1 site. Deletions of this same region had no effect on progestin responsiveness. Our findings indicate that at least two regions of the glycodelin promoter are important for the normal induction of glycodelin expression. Non-target cells may lack factors which act on the response elements resulting in the restriction of expression to the appropriate target tissue.     

Complex of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen and 48,000-dalton host tumor antigen.

Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T Ag) can be separated by sucrose gradient sedimentation into a rapidly sedimenting, maximally phosphorylated fraction and a slowly sedimenting, less phosphorylated fraction. The Mr 48,000 host tumor antigen (48,000 HTA, also called nonviral T Ag) is preferentially complexed with the maximally phosphorylated T Ag. Pulse-labeled T Ag sediments as a 5-6S monomer, whereas T Ag radiolabeled for progressively longer periods slowly increases in sedimentation coefficient to give a broad distribution between 5 S and greater than 28 S. Mutation in the viral A locus causes a decrease in T Ag phosphorylation and a marked decrease in 48,000 HTA binding, shifting the sedimentation coefficient of T Ag to the monomer value. The more highly phosphorylated T Ag also has the highest affinity for chromatin.     

Nonselective expression of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen fragments in mouse cells.

To understand the role of various functional domains of simian virus 40 early tumor antigens, we have cloned and introduced into mouse cells portions of early simian virus 40 DNA. Two types of truncated large tumor antigen (33 and 12.3 kilodaltons), as well as small tumor antigen, were identified by immunoprecipitation. Both truncated large tumor antigens have been found to be overproduced with respect to the small tumor antigen, although the 12.3-kilodalton truncated large tumor antigen was more stable than the 33-kilodalton one. Nonviral 53-kilodalton protein was not found associated with either truncated large tumor antigen in immunoprecipitations.     

DNA binding activity of polyoma virus large tumor antigen.

Polyoma virus large tumor antigen from productively infected mouse cells has been purified to greater than 50% homogeneity by a simple immunoaffinity procedure using monoclonal antibodies. A radioimmunoreaction was devised for assaying purity. The purified large tumor antigen retained its antigenicity and its ability to bind DNA specifically. The regions on the polyoma virus genome recognized by the protein were characterized. Three binding regions were localized within the portion of the genome between the viral origin of DNA replication and the protein coding sequence, overlapping the early promoter and the sites of initiation of mRNAs that specify the viral tumor antigens. The binding regions each contain direct repeats of the pentanucleotide sequence G-R-G-G-C.     

The simian virus 40 minimal origin and the 72-base-pair repeat are required simultaneously for efficient induction of late gene expression with large tumor antigen.

We have studied the temporal regulation of simian virus 40 (SV40) late gene expression by construction and transient expression analysis of plasmids containing the transposon Tn9 chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene placed downstream from the late control region. The SV40 origin region in the early (but not the late) orientation promotes chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression efficiently in monkey cells lacking large tumor (T) antigen. In monkey cells producing T antigen, the promoter activity of the late control region is induced by approximately 1,000-fold above the basal level. By deletion and point mutagenesis, we define two domains of the late control region required for efficient induction with T antigen. Domain I is the minimal replication origin containing T-antigen binding site II. Domain II consists of the 72-base-pair (bp) repeat and a 19-bp downstream sequence up to nucleotide 270. Domains I and II should act synergistically because the absence of either one or the other decreases induction efficiency by 2 orders of magnitude. Though a complete copy of domain II is optimal, the origin-proximal 22-bp portion of this domain is sufficient. The 21-bp repeat, located between domains I and II, is dispensable for this induction, as are sequences located downstream from nucleotide 270 in the late orientation.     

Production of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen in bacteria: altered DNA-binding specificity and dna-replication activity of underphosphorylated large tumor antigen.

A bacterial expression system was used to produce simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T antigen) in the absence of the extensive posttranslational modifications that occur in mammalian cells. Wild-type T antigen produced in bacteria retained a specific subset of the biochemical activities displayed by its mammalian counterpart. Escherichia coli T antigen functioned as a helicase and bound to DNA fragments containing either site I or the wild-type origin of replication in a manner identical to mammalian T antigen. However, T antigen purified from E. coli did not efficiently bind to site II, an essential cis element within the simian virus 40 origin of replication. It therefore could not unwind origin-containing plasmids or efficiently replicate simian virus 40 DNA in vitro. The ability of protein phosphorylation to modulate the intrinsic preference of full-length T antigen for either site I or site II is discussed.     

Differential affinities of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen for DNA.

The binding of simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (T antigen) to DNA was analyzed by using the salt-sensitive affinities of the protein for various DNAs immobilized on cellulose. At least two types of interactions could be distinguished that differed in their stability. Higher salt concentrations were required to elute T antigen from SV40 DNA than from calf thymus DNA; and even greater salt concentrations were required for the lution of T antigen from multiorigin SV 40 DNA compared to wild-type SV40 DNA. This would indicate that T antigen can bind weakly or strongly to DNA, depending on the DNA sequence. It was also found that a greater proportion of rapidly labeled or newly synthesized T antigen binds more efficiently and tightly to multiorigin SV40 DNA than to long-labeled or older forms of T antigen. This approach can be utilized not only to distinguish between different forms of T antigens which vary in their affinities for DNA but also for rapidly obtaining highly enriched T antigen preparations.     

Detection of JC virus DNA sequence and expression of the viral oncoprotein, tumor antigen, in brain of immunocompetent patient with oligoastrocytoma.

We describe molecular and clinical findings in an immunocompetent patient with an oligoastrocytoma and the concomitant presence of the human papovavirus, JC virus (JCV), which is the etiologic agent of the subacute, debilitating demyelinating disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Histologic review revealed a glial neoplasm consisting primarily of a moderately cellular oligodendroglioma with distinct areas of a fibrillary astrocytoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed nuclear staining of tumor cells with antibodies against the viral oncoprotein [tumor antigen (T antigen)], the proliferation marker (Ki67), and the cellular proliferation regulator (p53). Using primers specific to the JCV control region, PCR yielded amplified DNA that was identical to the control region of the Mad-4 strain of the virus. PCR analysis demonstrated the presence of the genome for the viral oncoprotein, T antigen, and results from primer extension studies revealed synthesis of the viral early RNA for T antigen in the tumor tissues. The presence of viral T antigen in the tumor tissue was further demonstrated by immunoblot assay. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of JCV DNA, RNA, and T antigen in tissue in which viral T antigen is localized to tumor cell nuclei and suggests the possible association of JCV with some glial neoplasms.     

JC病毒t抗原的融合蛋白表达及抗体制备

目的 构建JC病毒t抗原的原核融合蛋白表达载体,表达并纯化该融合蛋白.方法 采用PCR方法 从患者脑脊液中扩增JC病毒t抗原,测序正确后再克隆入pET32a(+)质粒,构建pET32a(+)-t表达重组体,并诱导表达t抗原融合蛋白.大量制备该融合蛋白并以镍柱亲和层析纯化.然后以纯化蛋白免疫小鼠制备多克隆抗体.结果pET32a(+)-t表达出相对分子质量为41 000左右的重组蛋白.十二烷基硫酸钠一聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分析显示,异丙基-βD-硫代半乳糖苷诱导后3.5～20.0 h融合蛋白均高水平表达.Western印迹证实具有良好的抗原性,免疫BALB/c小鼠后,成功制备了鼠多克隆抗体.结论 成功构建原核表达载体pET32a(+)-t,表达纯化t抗原融合蛋白,成功制备了JC病毒小包膜蛋白t的抗体,为进一步流行病学调查及该基因的功能研究奠定了基础.     

Specific in vitro adenylylation of the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen.

Incubation of the simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (T) from either transformed or lytically infected cells with adenosine [8-3H]-, [alpha-32P]-, or [alpha-[35S]thio]-triphosphate in the presence of Mg2+ resulted in its labeling as defined by the appearance of an intact, appropriately immunoreactive band in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels. Radioactivity remained associated with the protein after boiling in buffer containing 3% NaDodSO4, and 2-mercaptoethanol as well as after heating in 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NH4OH, or hydroxylamine, but it was dissociated after incubation in 0.1 M NaOH at 37 degrees C. After limited boiling of gel-purified [alpha-32P] ATP + T complex in 5.6 M HCl, o-[32P]phosphoserine was released, and snake venom phosphodiesterase or 0.5 M piperidine treatment of such a complex resulted in the liberation of [alpha-32P]AMP. The reaction proceeded when either purified, soluble T or insoluble, specifically immunoprecipitated antigen was used as substrate. ATP and dATP were the preferred nucleotide substrates by comparison with the other six standard ribonucleoside or deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Partial tryptic digests of T + [alpha-32P]ATP complexes revealed the presence of a single labeled peptide of Mr approximately equal to 12 - 14 X 10(3), and after exhaustive digestion, there was a single radioactive spot in the fingerprint. These data indicate that T can be adenylylated at a specific seryl residue(s) in a limited portion of the protein surface. Furthermore, adenylylation appears to be reversible and to proceed by a pyrophosphorylytic mechanism, since the nucleotide was released from the protein following incubation of adenylylated T with Mg2+, sodium pyrophosphate, and poly(dT).     

Differential expression of mRNAs for JC virus large and small tumor antigens in brain tissues from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy patients with and without AIDS.

JC virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), the fatal demyelinating infection of oligodendrocytes, in up to 5% of AIDS patients. An intron-differential RNA PCR was developed to study the expression of alternately spliced JCV early mRNAs in brain tissues from PML patients with and without AIDS and in JCV-induced hamster brain tumors. The method utilizes primers that span the large tumor (T) and small tumor (t) antigen introns allowing amplification of specific cDNAs in the presence of contaminating viral genomic DNA. Hybridization with specific junctional probes and DNA sequence analysis confirmed the identity of the PCR products. Sequencing showed that JCV early mRNA is alternatively spliced as previously predicted by analogy to simian virus 40. Large T antigen mRNA was detected in all the brain tissues from PML patients with and without AIDS. The expression of small t antigen mRNA varied depending upon the association of PML with AIDS and upon other unknown factors. Of the 12 PML/AIDS brain tissue samples, 11 (92%) expressed small t antigen mRNA, whereas only 8 of 13 (62%) brain samples from patients with PML alone showed detectable levels of small t antigen mRNA. Human immunodeficiency virus 1 proviral DNA was detected in 10 of 12 PML/AIDS brain samples. The results indicate that alternative splicing of JCV early mRNA is regulated in the human brain and that the production of small t antigen may not be essential for the pathogenesis of PML.     

Prostate and mammary adenocarcinoma in transgenic mice carrying a rat C3(1) simian virus 40 large tumor antigen fusion gene.

A transgenic mouse model for prostate and mammary cancer has been developed in mice containing a recombinant gene expressing the simian virus 40 early-region transforming sequences under the regulatory control of the rat prostatic steroid binding protein [C3(1)] gene. Male transgenic mice develop prostatic hyperplasia in early life that progresses to adenoma or adenocarcinoma in most animals surviving to longer than 7 months of age. Prostate cancer metastases to lung have been observed. Female animals from the same founder lines generally develop mammary hyperplasia by 3 months of age with subsequent development of mammary adenocarcinoma by 6 months of age in 100% of the animals. The development of tumors correlates with the expression of the transgene as determined by Northern blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The results of these experiments demonstrate that the C3(1) regulatory region used in these experiments is useful for targeting expression to the prostate and mammary gland. To our knowledge, this experimental system is the first reported transgenic mouse model for prostate cancer. These transgenic animals offer the opportunity to study hormone response elements in vivo and the multistage progression from normal tissue to carcinoma in the prostate and mammary glands.     

The tsA58 simian virus 40 large tumor antigen disrupts megakaryocyte differentiation in transgenic mice.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition of multiple etiologies affecting the megakaryocyte lineage. To perturb this lineage in transgenic mice, the tsA58 mutation of the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen was targeted to megakaryocytes using the platelet factor 4 promoter. Ten of 17 transgenic lines generated exhibited low platelet levels, each line displaying a distinct, heritable level of thrombocytopenia. Within a line, the degree of the platelet reduction correlated directly with transgene zygosity. The platelet level could be further reduced by the inactivation of one copy of the endogenous retinoblastoma gene. Western blot analysis detected large tumor antigen protein in the most severely affected lines; less affected lines were below the level of detection. Platelets and megakaryocytes from thrombocytopenic mice exhibited morphological abnormalities. Mice with either normal or reduced platelet levels developed megakaryocytic malignancies with a mean age of onset of about 8 months. There was no correlation between severity of thrombocytopenia and onset of malignancy. These mice provide a defined genetic model for thrombocytopenia, and for megakaryocytic neoplasia, and implicate the retinoblastoma protein in the process of megakaryocyte differentiation.     

The biological clock that measures the mitotic life-span of mouse embryo fibroblasts continues to function in the presence of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen.

Normal mammalian fibroblasts cultured in vitro undergo a limited number of divisions before entering a senescent phase in which they can be maintained for long periods but cannot be induced to divide. In rodent fibroblasts senescence can be prevented by expression of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T antigen). Cells expressing T antigen can proliferate indefinitely; however, such cells are absolutely dependent upon continued expression of T antigen for maintenance of growth; inactivation of T antigen results in a rapid and irreversible entry into a postmitotic state. To determine when, after the initial expression of T antigen, fibroblasts become dependent upon it for continued growth, we serially cultivated embryonic fibroblasts prepared from H-2Kb-tsA58 transgenic mice. We show that these fibroblasts become dependent upon T antigen for maintenance of proliferation only when their normal mitotic life-span has elapsed and that the biological clock that limits the mitotic potential continues to function normally, even in cells expressing this immortalizing gene. Our results suggest that random accumulation of cellular damage is unlikely to be the factor that limits fibroblast division but support the hypothesis that senescence is regulated via a genetic program.     

乙型肝炎病毒前S1蛋白反式调节基因2的克隆、表达及功能

目的 应用原核表达系统表达HBV前S1蛋白反式调节基因2(PS1TP2),酵母双杂交技术筛选白细胞文库中与之结合的蛋白质,了解该基因产物在肝癌细胞系中的亚细胞定位.方法 应用生物信息学初步探讨PS1TP2结构及功能.PCR扩增PS1TP2基因,构建pET32a(+)-PS1TP2表达载体,在大肠埃希菌Rosettap中进行诱导表达.构建pGBKT7-PS1TP2重组载体,应用酵母双杂交技术,在营养缺陷型培养基上筛选白细胞cDNA文库中与之结合的蛋白质.构建pEGFP-C1-PS1TP2表达质粒,转染肝癌细胞株HepG2,利用荧光显微镜和共聚焦显微镜观察PS1TP2的亚细胞分布.结果 PS1TP2基因位于6q24.1,疏水指数较高.PS1TP2能在原核系统中表达,表达产物相对分子质量约4.1×104.酵母双杂交技术筛选出白细胞cDNA文库中与之结合的蛋白质26个.PS1TP2亚细胞定位于细胞质中.结论 在原核表达系统中成功表达了PS1TP2,为抗体的制备奠定了基础.PS1TP2可与白细胞表达的某些蛋白质相互作用,在肝癌细胞系中定位于细胞质,为进一步探究HBV感染的发病机制提供了新线索.     

Nature and origin of the RNA associated with simian virus 40 large tumor antigen.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor (T) antigen isolated from mammalian cells undergoing lytic or transforming infection is associated with small RNA fragments ("T-antigen RNA") that are protected from nuclease digestion. The rather high complexity of the ribonuclease T1 fingerprints of T-antigen RNA suggested that it is mainly derived from cellular heterogeneous nuclear RNAs. In the present study, 5'-32P-labeled T-antigen RNA was hybridized to monkey, mouse, and human Alu and SV40 DNA, and the nucleotide sequence of 37 T1 oligonucleotides was determined. The results suggest that the bulk of T-antigen RNA is derived from noncoding, double-stranded, ordered regions of cellular heterogeneous nuclear RNAs that exhibit sequence homologies with interspersed repetitive elements of the cellular genome. The possible biological implications of these results are discussed.