Project Details
Abstract
Rta is a transcription factor expressed during the immediate-early stage of the
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic cycle. This protein activates the transcription of EBV lytic
genes and is critical to EBV lytic development. This study finds that Rta is a binding partner
of a nucleolar protein, MCRS2, in yeast. The interaction is verified in vitro by
GST-pulldown and in vivo by coimmunoprecipitation. A confocal microscopy work also
reveals the colocalization of these two proteins in the nucleolus, implying that MCRS2
causes the sequestration of Rta in the nucleolus. In transient transfection assay, this study
shows that MCRS2 represses the activations of the BRLF1 promoter (Rp) and a promoter
that contains an Rta response element (RRE), suggesting that sequestration of Rta in the
nucleolus inhibits Rta’s capacity to activate RNA polymerase II-driven transcription.
Additionally, this study provides compelling evidences, which show that Rta is expressed
and sequestered in the nucleolus during EBV latency in Akata and P3HR1 cells. During
EBV latency, Rta appears to enhance the transcription of rDNA gene. To elucidate the
significance of Rta expression, this study will investigate (a) how the sequestration of Rta in
the nucleolus affects the EBV lytic cycle, (b) how sequestration of Rta influences the EBV
latent cycle, (c) how Rta influences the transcription of the rDNA gene, and (d) how Rta
gene is transcribed during viral latency. This study will reveal important functions of Rta,
which will lead to a better understanding on how the expression of Rta influences EBV and
its host cells.
Project IDs
Project ID:PC10301-0915
External Project ID:NSC101-2320-B182-014-MY3
External Project ID:NSC101-2320-B182-014-MY3
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 01/08/14 → 31/07/15 |
Keywords
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Rta
- MCRS2
- rRNA
- Nucleolar Sequestration
Fingerprint
Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.