Molecular Basis of Gene Transcription Activated by Rta

Rta is a transcription factor expressed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) during the immediate-early stage of the viral lytic cycle. In a recent study, we showed that Rta interacts with an Sp1-binding protein, MCAF1, to activate Sp1-mediated transcription. By a similar mechanism, Rta also interacts with MCAF1 to enhance the transcription activated by Zta, a bZip protein encoded by EBV that activates the EBV lytic cycle. Meanwhile, our current investigation indicates that MCAF1 may also interact with other bZip proteins, including AP-1 and ATF2. Based on these findings, this study will (i) confirm that Rta and MCAF1 interact with AP-1 and ATF2, (ii) elucidate how Rta activates AP-1- and ATF2-mediated transcription and (iii) investigate how Rta and MCAF1 influence the transcription of hTERT, whose expression depends on Sp1 but is repressed by AP-1. This investigation will elucidate the critical roles of Rta in activating the expression of EBV lytic genes and the genes that are crucial to oncogenesis.

Project ID:PC9706-0153
External Project ID:NSC95-2320-B182-041-MY3