The zipper region of Epstein-Barr virus bZIP transcription factor Zta is necessary but not sufficient to direct DNA binding.
The viral bZIP transcription factor Zta (BZLF1, EB1, ZEBRA) mediates the switch between the latent and lytic cycles of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In part, its activity requires the formation of homodimers and interaction with specific DNA sequence elements (ZREs). Zta has an atypical zipper motif that has a lower stability than do typical bZIP proteins. Here we show that a synthetic peptide directed against the zipper can disrupt the DNA-binding function of Zta. This highlights the relevance of this region for the function of Zta and demonstrates that the zipper region is a potential target for therapeutic agents. We also unmask the relevance of a region adjacent to the zipper (CT region), which is required to direct the interaction of Zta with DNA and to transactivate ZRE-dependent promoters in vivo.
Hicks
Matthew R
MR
School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
Al-Mehairi
Salama S
SS
Sinclair
Alison J
AJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019281:Dimerization; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006367:HeLa Cells; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016350:Leucine Zippers; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins
C063676:BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004247:DNA