title: Characterization of the Epstein-Barr virus BALF2 promoter.
abstract: BALF2, which encodes the major DNA-binding protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is expressed during the early stage of the lytic cycle. The location of the BALF2 promoter was identified by primer extension, which indicated that the transcription start is located at nucleotide 164,782 of the EBV genome. Transfection analyses revealed that, similar to other EBV early promoters, the BALF2 promoter is activated by the EBV-encoded transcription factors Rta and Zta. The promoter is also synergistically activated if both transcription factors are present in B lymphocytes and in epithelial cells. Deletion analysis and electrophoretic mobility-shift assay revealed that the region between nucleotides -134 and -64 contains Zta-response elements and the region between nucleotides -287 and -254 contains Rta-response elements. This study demonstrates the importance of Rta and Zta in regulating the transcription of EBV early genes.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang-Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan2.|Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang- Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan1.
authors.forename: Chien-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang-Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan2.
authors.forename: Shih-Tung
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C096364:BALF2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins