title: The location of cis-acting regulatory sequences in the human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III/LAV) long terminal repeat.
abstract: The location of cis-acting regulatory sequences within the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III/LAV) was determined. An enhancer element capable of increasing the rate of transcription from a heterologous promoter, irrespective of distance and orientation, is located between nucleotides -137 and -17 (cap site +1). The promoter sequences present near the TATA box respond to heterologous enhancers. The sequences present between nucleotides -17 and +80 are responsive to HTLV-III-associated trans-acting regulatory factors. Activation of these sequences by the viral regulatory factors requires the presence of a functional enhancer. The enhancer requirement is nonspecific, as the enhancer sequences of RSV, HTLV-I, and SV40 can functionally replace the HTLV-III enhancer. These findings define a new type of regulatory element, provide insight into the mechanisms that regulate HTLV-III gene expression, and may help to explain the effects of this virus on infected cells.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Sodroski
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Haseltine
mesh_terms: D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase