B cell-specific activation of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded C promoter compared with the wide-range activation of the W promoter.
We have studied the activity of reporter plasmids, carrying the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA) promoters Wp and Cp, in a group of somatic cell hybrids obtained by fusing EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines or group II/III Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines with non-B cell lines. In B/non-B cell hybrids of this type, B cell markers are extinguished as a rule, in parallel with the inactivation of Cp or Wp and down-regulation of EBNA-2-6 expression. A Wp-carrying reporter construct was active in non-B cell lines. Only cells with a B cell phenotype could support the activity of Cp-carrying plasmids. EBNA-2 transactivated Cp only in B cells. Our data suggest that while Wp can be used for EBNA transcription in B and non-B cells, Cp activity is restricted to B cells. The inability of EBNA-2 to transactivate Cp in non-B cells indicates that other factors present in B cells might be involved in Cp transactivation.
Contreras-Brodin
B
B
Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Karlsson
A
A
Nilsson
T
T
Rymo
L
L
Klein
G
G
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D002460:Cell Line; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D015870:Gene Expression; D005814:Genes, Viral; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase