title: The human cytomegalovirus major immediate early promoter can be trans-activated by adenovirus early proteins.
abstract: We have examined the effect of adenovirus E1 proteins on expression from the immediate early (IE) region of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The major immediate early promoter, responsive to trans-activation during the HCMV lifecycle, is also responsive to E1 a protein encoded by the 13 S message. E1a proteins inhibit SV40 expression through the mechanism of enhancer repression; however, the presence of E1a proteins did not inhibit expression of the IE region of HCMV. The ability of trans-activate the major IE promoter in the presence of a strong enhancer suggests adenovirus can activate transcription of HCMV upon coinfection. E1b proteins increased levels of steady state mRNA transcribed from the IE region. Increases in expression due to E1a and E1b proteins were additive. These results suggest that adenovirus early expression can activate quiescent HCMV sequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Genetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gies
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCray
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D017456:Adenovirus Early Proteins; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D017456:Adenovirus Early Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors