EBNA1 efficiently assembles on chromatin containing the Epstein-Barr virus latent origin of replication.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein, EBNA1, activates the replication of latent EBV episomes and the transcription of EBV latency genes by binding to recognition sites in the DS and FR elements of oriP. Since EBV episomes exist as chromatin, we have examined the interaction of EBNA1 with oriP templates assembled with physiologically spaced nucleosomes. We show that EBNA1 retains the ability to efficiently bind its recognition sites within the DS and FR elements in oriP chromatin and that this property is intrinsic to the EBNA1 DNA binding domain. The efficient assembly of EBNA1 on oriP chromatin does not require ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors and does not cause the precise positioning of nucleosomes within or adjacent to the FR and DS elements. Thus EBNA1 belongs to a select group of proteins that can efficiently access their recognition sites within nucleosomes without the need for additional chromatin remodeling factors.
Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, University of Toronto, 1 Kings College Circle, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8.
Tina M
TM
Avolio-Hunter
Lori
L
Frappier
D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000502:physiology; D018741:Replication Origin
D002843:Chromatin; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D009707:Nucleosomes; D004247:DNA; C417029:EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1