Expression of the chemokine receptor BLR2/EBI1 is specifically transactivated by Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2.
In our attempt to identify chemokine receptors that are related to Burkitt's lymphoma receptor 1 (BLR1) and are expressed in activated lymphocytes we used RT-PCR resulting in the isolation of a cDNA encoding a seven transmembrane receptor termed BLR2. The protein shows significant sequence similarities to the family of G-protein coupled chemokine receptors and turned out to be identical to the recently described receptor EBI1. Northern blot analysis revealed that BLR2 mRNA could be highly stimulated in mitogen- and anti-CD3-treated peripheral blood lymphocytes. BLR2-specific mRNA could be detected in all Epstein-Barr virus positive B cell lines. We show that transcription of the BLR2 gene could be specifically induced in Epstein-Barr virus negative BL 41 cells via estrogen-mediated activation of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2, a key regulator of viral and cellular genes in immortalized B cells. Our data suggest an involvement of BLR2 in the regulation of migration in activated lymphocytes and in viral pathogenesis.
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D015870:Gene Expression; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D000956:Antigens, Viral; C515370:CCR7 protein, human; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D015534:Trans-Activators