The hepatitis B pX protein promotes dimerization and DNA binding of cellular basic region/leucine zipper proteins by targeting the conserved basic region

Hepatitis B Virus X and Regulation of Viral Gene Expression

The efficient replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires the HBV regulatory hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein. The exact contributions of HBx are not fully understood, in part because of the limitations of the assays used for its study. When HBV replication is driven from a plasmid DNA, the contribution of HBx is modest. However, there is an absolute requirement for HBx in assays that recapitulate the infectious virus life cycle. There is much evidence that HBx can contribute directly to HBV replication by acting on viral promoters embedded within protein coding sequences. In addition, HBx may also contribute indirectly by modulating cellular pathways to benefit virus replication. Understanding the mechanism(s) of HBx action during virus replication may provide insight into novel ways to disrupt chronic HBV replication.

The hepatitis B virus X protein disrupts innate immunity by downregulating mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein

Previous studies have shown that both hepatitis A virus and hepatitis C virus inhibit innate immunity by cleaving the mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein, an essential component of the virus-activated signaling pathway that activates NF-kappaB and IFN regulatory factor-3 to induce the production of type I IFN. For human hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis B s-Ag, hepatitis B e-Ag, or HBV virions have been shown to suppress TLR-induced antiviral activity with reduced IFN-beta production and subsequent induction of IFN-stimulated genes. However, HBV-mediated suppression of the RIG-I-MDA5 pathway is unknown. In this study, we found that HBV suppressed poly(deoxyadenylate-thymidylate)-activated IFN-beta production in hepatocytes. Specifically, hepatitis B virus X (HBX) interacted with MAVS and promoted the degradation of MAVS through Lys(136) ubiquitin in MAVS protein, thus preventing the induction of IFN-beta. Further analysis of clinical samples revealed that MAVS protein was downregulated in hepatocellular carcinomas of HBV origin, which correlated with increased sensitivities of primary murine hepatocytes isolated from HBX knock-in transgenic mice upon vesicular stomatitis virus infections. By establishing a link between MAVS and HBX, this study suggests that HBV can target the RIG-I signaling by HBX-mediated MAVS downregulation, thereby attenuating the antiviral response of the innate immune system.

CREB--a real culprit in oncogenesis

The cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a stimulus-induced transcription factor that responds rapidly to phosphorylation and/or coactivator activation. Regulated activation of CREB has a significant impact on cellular growth, proliferation and survival. To overturn the cellular control of these processes, tumor cells have developed various mechanisms to achieve constitutive activation of CREB, including gene amplification, chromosome translocation, interaction with viral oncoproteins, and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. These mechanisms converge on the phosphorylation of CREB and/or the activation of transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC) coactivators to effect uncontrolled proliferation of cells. This minireview summarizes the different lines of existing evidence that support a direct role of CREB in oncogenesis.

The hepatitis B virus X protein functionally interacts with CREB-binding protein/p300 in the regulation of CREB-mediated transcription

The hepatitis B virus infects more than 350 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of liver cancer. The virus encodes a multifunctional regulator, the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), that is essential for virus replication. HBx is involved in modulating signal transduction pathways and transcription mediated by various factors, notably CREB that requires the recruitment of the co-activators CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300. Here we investigated the role of HBx and its potential interaction with CBP/p300 in regulating CREB transcriptional activity. We show that HBx and CBP/p300 synergistically enhanced CREB activity and that CREB phosphorylation by protein kinase A was a prerequisite for the cooperative action of HBx and CBP/p300. We further show that HBx interacted directly with CBP/p300 in vitro and in vivo. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we provide evidence that HBx physically occupied the CREB-binding domain of CREB-responsive promoters of endogenous cellular genes such as interleukin 8 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Moreover expression of HBx increased the recruitment of p300 to the interleukin 8 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen promoters in cells, and this is associated with increased gene expression. As recruitment of CBP/p300 is known to represent the limiting event for activating CREB target genes, HBx may disrupt this cellular regulation, thus predisposing cells to transformation.

Differential gene regulation by selective association of transcriptional coactivators and bZIP DNA-binding domains

bZIP DNA-binding domains are targets for viral and cellular proteins that function as transcriptional coactivators. Here, we show that MBF1 and the related Chameau and HBO1 histone acetylases interact with distinct subgroups of bZIP proteins, whereas pX does not discriminate. Selectivity of Chameau and MBF1 for bZIP proteins is mediated by residues in the basic region that lie on the opposite surface from residues that contact DNA. Chameau functions as a specific coactivator for the AP-1 class of bZIP proteins via two arginine residues. A conserved glutamic acid/glutamine in the linker region underlies MBF1 specificity for a subgroup of bZIP factors. Chameau and MBF1 cannot synergistically coactivate transcription due to competitive interactions with the basic region, but either protein can synergistically coactivate with pX. Analysis of Jun derivatives that selectively interact with these coactivators reveals that MBF1 is crucial for the response to oxidative stress, whereas Chameau is important for the response to chemical and osmotic stress. Thus, the bZIP domain mediates selective interactions with coactivators and hence differential regulation of gene expression.

Hepatitis B virus X protein and the estrogen receptor variant lacking exon 5 inhibit estrogen receptor signaling in hepatoma cells

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) is considered to play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during HBV infection. HCC was shown to be more prevalent in men than in women. Estrogen, which exerts its biological function through estrogen receptor (ER), can inhibit HBV replication. ERDelta5, an ERalpha variant lacking exon 5, was found to be preferentially expressed in patients with HCC compared with patients with normal livers. Here, we report the biological role of ERDelta5 and a novel link between HBx and ERalpha signaling in hepatoma cells. ERDelta5 interacts with ERalpha in vitro and in vivo and functions as a dominant negative receptor. Both ERalpha and ERDelta5 associate with HBx. HBx decreases ERalpha-dependent transcriptional activity, and HBx and ERDelta5 have additive effect on suppression of ERalpha transactivation. The HBx deletion mutant that lacks the ERalpha-binding site abolishes the HBx repression of ERalpha. HBx, ERalpha and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) form a ternary complex. Trichostatin A, a specific inhibitor of HDAC enzyme, can restore the transcriptional activity of ERalpha inhibited by HBx. Our data suggest that HBx and ERDelta5 may play a negative role in ERalpha signaling and that ERalpha agonists may be developed for HCC therapy.

Identification and characterization of GIP1, an Arabidopsis thaliana protein that enhances the DNA binding affinity and reduces the oligomeric state of G-box binding factors

Environmental control of the alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) and other stress response genes in plants is in part brought about by transcriptional regulation involving the G-box cis-acting DNA element and bZIP G-box Binding Factors (GBFs). The mechanisms of GBF regulation and requirements for additional factors in this control process are not well understood. In an effort to identify potential GBF binding and control partners, maize GBF1 was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen of an A. thaliana cDNA library. GBF Interacting Protein 1 (GIP1) arose from the screen as a 496 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 53,748 kDa that strongly interacts with GBFs. Northern analysis of A. thaliana tissue suggests a 1.8-1.9 kb GIP1 transcript, predominantly in roots. Immunolocalization studies indicate that GIP1 protein is mainly localized to the nucleus. In vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assays using an Adh G-box DNA probe and recombinant A. thaliana GBF3 or maize GBF1, showed that the presence of GIP1 resulted in a tenfold increase in GBF DNA binding activity without altering the migration, suggesting a transient association between GIP1 and GBF. Addition of GIP1 to intentionally aggregated GBF converted GBF to lower molecular weight macromolecular complexes and GIP1 also refolded denatured rhodanese in the absence of ATP. These data suggest GIP1 functions to enhance GBF DNA binding activity by acting as a potent nuclear chaperone or crowbar, and potentially regulates the multimeric state of GBFs, thereby contributing to bZIP-mediated gene regulation.

Inhibition of tumorigenicity of the hepatitis B virus X gene in Chang liver cell line

The hepatitis B virus X gene, which encodes the HBx protein, has multiple functions and is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the exact role of HBx in hepatocarcinogenesis is still controversial. We have established an inducible (tet-off system) HBx-expressing cell line, Chang-HBx. Compared with the original of Chang liver cell line (ATCC CCL13), Chang-HBx grows faster in serum-containing medium but slower in serum-free medium. Chang-HBx colony formation in soft agar shows an anchorage-demanding character and its tumorigenicity potential in BALB/c nude mice were substantially inhibited. HBx also causes the induction of G1 phase arrest of cell growth in early infection of HBV and therefore plays a negative role in tumorigenicity. An excellent mice animal model for producing hepatoma was also provided in this study.

Hepatitis B virus X protein modulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma through protein-protein interaction

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been reported to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) on PPARgamma activation has not been characterized in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated HCC. Herein, we demonstrated that HBx counteracted growth inhibition caused by PPARgamma ligand in HBx-associated HCC cells. We found that HBx bound to DNA binding domain of PPARgamma and HBx/PPARgamma interaction blocked nuclear localization and binding to recognition site of PPARgamma. HBx significantly suppressed a PPARgamma-mediated transactivation. These results suggest that HBx modulates PPARgamma function through protein-protein interaction.

Cloning and identification of human gene 1 transactivated by hepatitis B virus X antigen

AIM

To study the transactivation effects of HBxAg, and clone the target genes of HBxAg transactivating effects, in order to help understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of HBxAg.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify the coding sequence of HBxAg. The hepatoblastoma cell HepG2 was transfected by pcDNA3.1(-) and pcDNA3.1(-)-X, respectively. Total mRNA was purified from the HepG2 cells transfected and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) method was used to analyze the differentially expressed DNA sequence between the two groups. The sequences were searched for homologous DNA sequence from GenBank. The new DNA sequence was confirmed and the full-length coding sequence was identified according to the Kozak rule and the existence of polyadenyl signal sequences. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR)was used to amplify the new gene by using mRNA from HepG2 cell as the template. The coding sequence for the new gene was deduced according to the nucleotide sequence.

RESULTS

PCR technique was employed to amplify the coding sequence for HBxAg by using pCP10 plasmid containing whole HBV genome as the template. The recombinant plasmid expressing HBxAg was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. HepG2 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(-) and pcDNA3.1(-)-X by lipofectamine, respectively. Total mRNA was purified from transfected HepG2 cell, and suppression subtractive hybridization method was used for the screening and identification of differentially expressed genes by these two cell groups. After sequencing, each DNA sequence was compared with the genes deposited in the GenBank and the new gene with no homology with known genes in this database was identified. Electric polymerase chain reaction was conducted for the cloning of the full-length DNA of the new gene and in conjunction with Kozak rule and the existence of polyadenyl signal sequence. RT-PCR technique was used to amplify the new gene, named as XTP1, from the mRNA of HepG2 cells. The sequence for the XTP1 gene was deposited into GenBank, and the accession number is AF488828.

CONCLUSION

A new gene named XTP1 which is transac-tivated by hepatitis B virus X protein has been successfully cloned by molecular biological methods. These results pave the way for the study of the molecular mechanism of HBxAg transactivating effects and the development of new therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

A carboxy-terminal region of the hepatitis B virus X protein promotes DNA interaction of CREB and mimics the native protein for transactivation function

Earlier we had shown that the conserved region E (residues 120-140) of HBV X protein (HBx) is crucial for transactivation. To investigate this region further, its oligomerisation was considered necessary to augment intracellular biochemical stability. Two to ten unit long tandem repeats of the E region (X16-n) were generated and their expression vectors constructed. Transient transfection of the E expression vectors along with different CAT constructs showed increase in the reporter activity. Interestingly a direct correlation was observed between the number of E repeat units in an expression vector and the level of transactivation. The transactivation levels with decameric X16 on different reporter constructs were comparable to those of the wild type HBx. Co-expression of X16 in a stable CHO-K1 cell line expressing the native HBx, showed co-operativity for transactivation. Further, X16 facilitated the binding of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) to its responsive element just like the native HBx. The present study suggests that the C-terminal 'E' region of HBx represents its transactivation domain that acts by promoting the interaction of transcription factors to their cognate response elements.

Growth factors can activate ATF2 via a two-step mechanism: phosphorylation of Thr71 through the Ras-MEK-ERK pathway and of Thr69 through RalGDS-Src-p38

Transcription factor ATF2 regulates gene expression in response to environmental changes. Upon exposure to cellular stresses, the mitogen-activated proteinkinase (MAPK) cascades including SAPK/JNK and p38 can enhance ATF2's transactivating function through phosphorylation of Thr69 and Thr71. How ever, the mechanism of ATF2 activation by growth factors that are poor activators of JNK and p38 is still elusive. Here, we show that in fibroblasts, insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum activate ATF2 via a so far unknown two-step mechanism involving two distinct Ras effector pathways: the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway induces phosphorylation of ATF2 Thr71, whereas subsequent ATF2 Thr69 phosphorylation requires the Ral-RalGDS-Src-p38 pathway. Cooperation between ERK and p38 was found to be essential for ATF2 activation by these mitogens; the activity of p38 and JNK/SAPK in growth factor-stimulated fibroblasts is insufficient to phosphorylate ATF2 Thr71 or Thr69 + 71 significantly by themselves, while ERK cannot dual phosphorylate ATF2 Thr69 + 71 efficiently. These results reveal a so far unknown mechanism by which distinct MAPK pathways and Ras effector pathways cooperate to activate a transcription factor.

ERH (enhancer of rudimentary homologue), a conserved factor identical between frog and human, is a transcriptional repressor

Drosophila enhancer of rudimentary [e(r)] interacts genetically with the rudimentary gene, which encodes a protein possessing the first three enzymatic activities of the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. A regulatory or enzymatic activity of e(r) in pyrimidine biosynthesis and the cell cycle has been suggested, but nothing is known about its molecular function. The factor is evolutionarily highly conserved since homologues exist in plants and mammals. We cloned the Xenopus enhancer of rudimentary homologue (XERH) as an interaction partner of DCoH/PCD (dimerisation cofactor of HNF1/pterin-4alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase) in the yeast two-hybrid assay. DCoH/PCD is a multifunctional factor originally identified as a positive cofactor of the HNF1 homeobox transcription factors. XERH is a 104 amino acid protein that is identical to its mammalian homologues. The mRNA is expressed maternally, enriched in ectodermal derivatives during development and ubiquitously detectable in the adult. Fused to the DNA binding region of the GAL4 transcription factor domain, XERH represses the activity of a GAL4 responsive reporter in HeLa, but not in NIH3T3 cells. Furthermore, the DCoH/PCD coactivation of a HNF1 responsive reporter is inhibited by XERH. We propose that XERH is a cell type-specific transcriptional repressor, probably interfering with HNF1-dependent gene regulation via DCoH/PCD.

Hepatitis B virus HBx protein activation of cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes and G1 transit via a Src kinase pathway

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hepatitis B virus HBx protein stimulates signal transduction pathways and may bind to certain transcription factors, particularly the cyclic AMP response element binding protein, CREB. HBx has also been shown to promote early cell cycle progression, possibly by functionally replacing the TATA-binding protein-associated factor 250 (TAF(II)250), a transcriptional coactivator, and/or by stimulating cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways. To understand the basis for early cell cycle progression mediated by HBx, we characterized the molecular mechanism by which HBx promotes deregulation of the G0 and G1 cell cycle checkpoints in growth-arrested cells. We demonstrate that TAF(II)250 is absolutely required for HBx activation of the cyclin A promoter and for promotion of early cell cycle transit from G0 through G1. Thus, HBx does not functionally replace TAF(II)250 for transcriptional activity or for cell cycle progression, in contrast to a previous report. Instead, HBx is shown to activate the cyclin A promoter, induce cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes, and promote cycling of growth-arrested cells into G1 through a pathway involving activation of Src tyrosine kinases. HBx stimulation of Src kinases and cyclin gene expression was found to force growth-arrested cells to transit through G1 but to stall at the junction with S phase, which may be important for viral replication.

Close encounters of many kinds: Fos-Jun interactions that mediate transcription regulatory specificity

Fos and Jun family proteins regulate the expression of a myriad of genes in a variety of tissues and cell types. This functional versatility emerges from their interactions with related bZIP proteins and with structurally unrelated transcription factors. These interactions at composite regulatory elements produce nucleoprotein complexes with high sequence-specificity and regulatory selectivity. Several general principles including binding cooperativity and conformational adaptability have emerged from studies of regulatory complexes containing Fos-Jun family proteins. The structural properties of Fos-Jun family proteins including opposite orientations of heterodimer binding and the ability to bend DNA can contribute to the assembly and functions of such complexes. The cooperative recruitment of transcription factors, coactivators and chromatin remodeling factors to promoter and enhancer regions generates multiprotein transcription regulatory complexes with cell- and stimulus-specific transcriptional activities. The gene-specific architecture of these complexes can mediate the selective control of transcriptional activity.

HBV X protein targets HIV Tat-binding protein 1

The HBV X protein (HBx) is implicated in infection and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. HBx has a pleiotropic effect on cells, suggesting multiple targets in the virus-host cell interaction. We employed the cytoplasmic-based two-hybrid screen and identified the HIV Tat-binding protein 1 (Tbp1) as a novel HBx interacting protein. Tbp1 interacts in vivo with HBx both in yeast and in animal cells. This interaction maps to the functionally important ATP-binding motif of Tbp1. Furthermore, HBx and Tbp1 interaction is functionally significant and regulates HBV transcription. Tbp1 homologues, such as Sug1, are known members of the proteasome 19S regulatory cap particle and have also been implicated in transcription coactivation. Remarkably, Tbp1 and Sug1 interact with multiple viral effector proteins including HIV Tat, SV40 large T antigen, and adenovirus E1A, establishing these proteins as important targets of the viral oncogenes.

Hepatitis B virus protein pX enhances the monomer assembly pathway of bZIP.DNA complexes

The rapid and correct assembly of dimeric transcription factors on target DNA is essential for accurate transcriptional regulation. Here we ask how a viral accessory factor, hepatitis B virus X protein (pX), influences the rate and identity of the assembly pathway followed by members of the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family. A combination of fluorescence polarization and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments demonstrates unequivocally that pX does not increase the concentration of properly folded bZIP dimers in solution. Rather, fluorescence polarization and gel mobility shift experiments reveal that pX interacts directly with the basic-spacer segment of the bZIP peptide and stabilizes the complex composed of this monomer and target DNA. By stabilizing the intermediate formed along the monomer assembly pathway but not the one formed along the dimer pathway, pX enhances the equilibrium stability of a bZIP.DNA complex without changing the molecular mechanism used for complexation. Additional experiments reveal that pX decreases the kinetic specificity of certain bZIP proteins. To the extent that it is reflected at the transcriptional level, this loss in specificity could have far-reaching consequences for the host cell.

Hepatitis B virus X protein activates transcription by bypassing CREB phosphorylation, not by stabilizing bZIP-DNA complexes

Although previous work has shown that the hepatitis B virus X protein (pX) stabilizes complexes between basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins and target DNA, the relationship between enhanced binding and transcriptional activation has not been established. Here we show that interactions between CREB and pX, which coincidentally enhance DNA affinity, are necessary but not sufficient for increased transcriptional potency. Further, we show that transcriptional activation by pX requires a form of CREB in which Ser-133 is not phosphorylated. By stimulating the transcriptional potency of unphosphorylated CREB, pX can up-regulate the expression of cAMP-responsive genes implicated in hepatocyte proliferation, leading ultimately to the development of liver cancer after viral infection.

Duck hepatitis B virus expresses a regulatory HBx-like protein from a hidden open reading frame

Duck hepatitis B viruses (DHBV), unlike mammalian hepadnaviruses, are thought to lack X genes, which encode transcription-regulatory proteins believed to contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. A lack of association of chronic DHBV infection with hepatocellular carcinoma development supports this belief. Here, we demonstrate that DHBV genomes have a hidden open reading frame from which a transcription-regulatory protein, designated DHBx, is expressed both in vitro and in vivo. We show that DHBx enhances neither viral protein expression, intracellular DNA synthesis, nor virion production when assayed in the full-length genome context in LMH cells. However, similar to mammalian hepadnavirus X proteins, DHBx activates cellular and viral promoters via the Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and localizes primarily in the cytoplasm. The functional similarities as well as the weak sequence homologies of DHBx and the X proteins of mammalian hepadnaviruses strongly suggest a common ancestry of ortho- and avihepadnavirus X genes. In addition, our data disclose similar intracellular localization and transcription regulatory functions of the corresponding proteins, raise new questions as to their presumed role in hepatocarcinogenesis, and imply unique opportunities for deciphering of their still-enigmatic in vivo functions.

Gene regulation: protein escorts to the transcription ball

A new way by which the potency of a eukaryotic transcription factor can be regulated has been discovered, in which nuclear factors increase the concentration of the transcription factor's active form by modulating an otherwise unfavorable equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric forms of the protein.

A human nuclear-localized chaperone that regulates dimerization, DNA binding, and transcriptional activity of bZIP proteins

We have identified and cloned a human nuclear protein that dramatically increases DNA binding of transcription factors that contain a basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA binding domain. We show that this bZIP enhancing factor (BEF) functions as a molecular chaperone. BEF stimulates DNA binding by recognizing the unfolded leucine zipper and promoting the folding of bZIP monomers to dimers; the elevated concentration of the bZIP dimer then drives the DNA binding reaction. Antisense experiments indicate that BEF is required for efficient transcriptional activation by bZIP proteins in vivo. Our results reveal protein folding in the nucleus as a step at which sequence-specific DNA binding proteins can be regulated.