title: The Epstein-Barr virus 3.5-kilobase latent membrane protein 1 mRNA initiates from a TATA-Less promoter within the first terminal repeat.
abstract: The complete 5' sequence of the Epstein-Barr virus 3.5-kb latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) mRNA, expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, has been determined. The transcript initiates from heterogeneous start sites within the first terminal repeat (TR) of the viral genome. This region is TATA-less, consistent with heterogeneous starting, but contains multiple GC-rich elements which potentially interact with the Sp1 transcription factor. Expression of the 3.5-kb mRNA was consistently detected in nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples and in additional cell types, including a Burkitt's lymphoma. This is the first identification of an Epstein-Barr virus mRNA containing TR sequence and the first report of the ability of the TR to function as a transcriptional promoter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7295, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raab-Traub
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D016385:TATA Box; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins