Role of DNA replication in vaccinia virus gene expression: a naked template is required for transcription of three late trans-activator genes.
The DNA replication requirement for vaccinia virus late gene expression was mimicked by transfecting a late promoter-controlled reporter gene into infected cells in the presence of a DNA synthesis inhibitor. This late promoter activation block was overcome by cotransfecting either naked linear vaccinia virion DNA or three cloned viral genes encoding trans-activator polypeptides of 17, 26, and 30 kd. These newly identified trans-activator genes were independently transcribed only from replicated or transfected DNA. These data suggest a regulatory cascade in which the parental viral genome serves as a template for the RNA polymerase and early promoter-specific transcription factors that are packaged in the infectious particle; the newly replicated DNA is accessible to sequentially synthesized intermediate promoter- and late promoter-specific trans-activators.
Keck
J G
JG
Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Baldick
C J
CJ
Moss
B
B
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology
D004279:DNA, Viral