Transcripts encoding K12, v-FLIP, v-cyclin, and the microRNA cluster of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus originate from a common promoter.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of three malignancies associated with AIDS and immunosuppression. Tumor cells harbor latent virus and express kaposin (open reading frame [ORF] K12), v-FLIP (ORF 71), v-Cyclin (ORF 72), and latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA; ORF 73). ORFs 71 to 73 are transcribed as multicistronic RNAs initiating from adjacent constitutive and inducible promoters upstream of ORF 73. Here we characterize a third promoter embedded within the ORF 71-to-73 transcription unit specifying transcripts that encode ORF 71/72 or K12. These transcripts may also be the source of 11 microRNAs arranged as a cluster between K12 and ORF 71. Our studies reveal a complex arrangement of interlaced transcription units, incorporating four important protein-encoding genes required for latency and pathogenesis and the entire KSHV microRNA repertoire.
Pearce
Michael
M
Department of Microbiology and NYU Cancer Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Matsumura
Satoko
S
Wilson
Angus C
AC
D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D007438:Introns; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D005810:Multigene Family; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D017931:DNA Primers; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral