Multiple mechanisms contribute to the activation of RNA polymerase III transcription in cells transformed by papovaviruses.
RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription is abnormally active in fibroblasts transformed by polyomavirus (Py) or simian virus 40 (SV40). Several distinct mechanisms contribute to this effect. In untransformed fibroblasts, the basal pol III transcription factor (TF) IIIB is repressed through association with the retinoblastoma protein RB; this restraint is overcome by large T antigens of Py and SV40. Furthermore, cells transformed by these papovaviruses overexpress the BDP1 subunit of TFIIIB, at both the protein and mRNA levels. Despite the overexpression of BDP1, the abundance of the other TFIIIB components is unperturbed following papovavirus transformation. In contrast, mRNAs encoding all five subunits of the basal factor TFIIIC2 are found at elevated levels in fibroblasts transformed by Py or SV40. Thus, both papovaviruses stimulate pol III transcription by boosting production of selected components of the basal machinery. Py differs from SV40 in encoding a highly oncogenic middle T antigen that localizes outside the nucleus and activates several signal transduction pathways. Middle T can serve as a potent activator of a pol III reporter in transfected cells. Several distinct mechanisms therefore contribute to the high levels of pol III transcription that accompany transformation by Py and SV40.
Felton-Edkins
Zoë A
ZA
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Davidson Building, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
White
Robert J
RJ
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002455:Cell Division; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012320:RNA Polymerase III