title: In vitro transcription of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 is RNA polymerase II dependent.
abstract: The HTLV-1 promoter directs RNA polymerase II transcription of viral genomic RNA in vivo. However, it has been reported that in vitro, a unique RNA polymerase, with characteristics of RNA polymerases II and III, is capable of HTLV-1 transcription (G. Piras, F. Kashanchi, M. F. Radonovich, J. F. Duvall, and J. N. Brady, J. Virol. 68:6170-6179, 1994). To further characterize the polymerase involved in HTLV-1 transcription in vitro, runoff transcription assays were performed with a variety of extracts and RNA polymerase inhibitors. Under all in vitro reaction conditions tested, RNA polymerase II appeared to be the only polymerase capable of correct transcriptional initiation from the HTLV-1 promoter. Synthesis of the specific HTLV-1 RNA transcript showed sensitivities to the RNA polymerase inhibitors tagetitoxin and alpha-amanitin that are consistent with RNA polymerase II transcription. Together, these data indicate that in vitro, as in vivo, the HTLV-1 promoter directs transcription by RNA polymerase II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1870, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lenzmeier
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nyborg
mesh_terms: D000546:Amanitins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000494:pharmacology; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D016356:Gene Products, tax / Q000494:pharmacology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000546:Amanitins; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D016356:Gene Products, tax; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D012367:RNA, Viral; C062221:tagetitoxin; D012319:RNA Polymerase II; D012320:RNA Polymerase III