p53 and hTERT determine sensitivity to viral apoptosis.
Apoptosis is a potent host defense against microbes. Most viruses have adapted strategies to counteract this response. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) produces a balance between pro- and antiapoptotic processes during infection. When antiapoptotic signals become limiting, infected cells die through HSV-dependent apoptosis (HDAP). Oncogenic pathways were previously implicated in HDAP susceptibility. Here, we exploited our ability to selectively express all, one, or no oncogenes in the well-defined HeLa cell system to dissect the requirements for HDAP. Human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncogene expression was inhibited by the E2 viral repressor. Sole expression of E6 mediated HDAP sensitization. Next, two known cellular targets of E6 were independently modulated. This demonstrated that E6 sensitizes HeLa cells to HDAP through hTERT and p53. Given the universality of the apoptotic antiviral response, p53 and telomerase regulation will likely be important for counteracting host defenses in many other viral infections.
Nguyen
Marie L
ML
Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
Kraft
Rachel M
RM
Aubert
Martine
M
Goodwin
Edward
E
DiMaio
Daniel
D
Blaho
John A
JA
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000502:physiology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000502:physiology*
C057120:ICP27 protein, human herpesvirus 1; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase