title: The cellular transcription factor USF cooperates with varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein 62 to symmetrically activate a bidirectional viral promoter.
abstract: The mechanisms governing the function of cellular USF and herpesvirus immediate-early transcription factors are subjects of considerable interest. In this regard, we identified a novel form of coordinate gene regulation involving a cooperative interplay between cellular USF and the varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein 62 (IE 62). A single USF-binding site defines the potential level of IE 62-dependent activation of a bidirectional viral early promoter of the DNA polymerase and major DNA-binding protein genes. We also report a dominant negative USF-2 mutant lacking the DNA-binding domain that permits the delineation of the biological role of both USF-1 and USF-2 in this activation process. The symmetrical stimulation of the bidirectional viral promoter by IE 62 is achieved at concentrations of USF-1 (43 kDa) or USF-2 (44 kDa) already existing in cells. Our observations support the notion that cellular USF can intervene in and possibly target promoters for activation by a herpesvirus immediate-early protein.
authors.affiliation: Medical Virology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawadogo
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Straus
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011485:Protein Binding; D016385:TATA Box; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D051720:Upstream Stimulatory Factors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C074221:IE62 protein, Human herpesvirus 3; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C497181:USF1 protein, human; D051720:Upstream Stimulatory Factors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins