Latency type-specific distribution of epigenetic marks at the alternative promoters Cp and Qp of Epstein-Barr virus.
Transcripts for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigens are initiated at the alternative promoters Wp, Cp and Qp. Although the host cell-dependent activity of Cp is regulated by DNA methylation, Qp is unmethylated independently of its activity. Because histone modifications affect the chromatin structure, we compared the levels of diacetylated histone H3, tetraacetylated histone H4 and histone H3 dimethylated on lysine 4 (H3K4me2) at Cp and Qp, in well characterized cell lines representing the major EBV latency types. We found an activity-dependent histone code: acetylated histones marked active Cp, whereas active Qp was selectively enriched both in acetylated histones and H3K4me2. We concluded that active (but not silent) Cp and Qp are located to 'acetylation islands' in latent, episomal EBV genomes, similar to the active chromatin domains of the human genome.
Fejer
György
G
Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie, Stübeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany.|Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
Koroknai
Anita
A
Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
Banati
Ferenc
F
Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
Györy
Ildiko
I
Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie, Stübeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany.|Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
Salamon
Daniel
D
Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
Wolf
Hans
H
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Niller
Hans Helmut
HH
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Minarovits
Janos
J
Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, Pihenö u. 1, H-1529 Budapest, Hungary.
D000107:Acetylation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D017735:Virus Latency
D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D006657:Histones