Herpesvirus saimiri Tip gene causes T-cell lymphomas in transgenic mice

Modulating p56Lck in T-Cells by a Chimeric Peptide Comprising Two Functionally Different Motifs of Tip from Herpesvirus saimiri

The Lck interacting protein Tip of Herpesvirus saimiri is responsible for T-cell transformation both in vitro and in vivo. Here we designed the chimeric peptide hTip-CSKH, comprising the Lck specific interacting motif CSKH of Tip and its hydrophobic transmembrane sequence (hTip), the latter as a vector targeting lipid rafts. We found that hTip-CSKH can induce a fivefold increase in proliferation of human and Aotus sp. T-cells. Costimulation with PMA did not enhance this proliferation rate, suggesting that hTip-CSKH is sufficient and independent of further PKC stimulation. We also found that human Lck phosphorylation was increased earlier after stimulation when T-cells were incubated previously with hTip-CSKH, supporting a strong signalling and proliferative effect of the chimeric peptide. Additionally, Lck downstream signalling was evident with hTip-CSKH but not with control peptides. Importantly, hTip-CSKH could be identified in heavy lipid rafts membrane fractions, a compartment where important T-cell signalling molecules (LAT, Ras, and Lck) are present during T-cell activation. Interestingly, hTip-CSKH was inhibitory to Jurkat cells, in total agreement with the different signalling pathways and activation requirements of this leukemic cell line. These results provide the basis for the development of new compounds capable of modulating therapeutic targets present in lipid rafts.

Actin-dependent activation of serum response factor in T cells by the viral oncoprotein tip

Serum response factor (SRF) acts as a multifunctional transcription factor regulated by mutually exclusive interactions with ternary complex factors (TCFs) or myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs). Binding of Rho- and actin-regulated MRTF:SRF complexes to target gene promoters requires an SRF-binding site only, whereas MAPK-regulated TCF:SRF complexes in addition rely on flanking sequences present in the serum response element (SRE). Here, we report on the activation of an SRE luciferase reporter by Tip, the viral oncoprotein essentially contributing to human T-cell transformation by Herpesvirus saimiri. SRE activation in Tip-expressing Jurkat T cells could not be attributed to triggering of the MAPK pathway. Therefore, we further analyzed the contribution of MRTF complexes. Indeed, Tip also activated a reporter construct responsive to MRTF:SRF. Activation of this reporter was abrogated by overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of the MRTF-family member MAL. Moreover, enrichment of monomeric actin suppressed the Tip-induced reporter activity. Further upstream, the Rho-family GTPase Rac, was found to be required for MRTF:SRF reporter activation by Tip. Initiation of this pathway was strictly dependent on Tip's ability to interact with Lck and on the activity of this Src-family kinase. Independent of Tip, T-cell stimulation orchestrates Src-family kinase, MAPK and actin pathways to induce SRF. These findings establish actin-regulated transcription in human T cells and suggest its role in viral oncogenesis.

Activation of the STAT6 transcription factor in Jurkat T-cells by the herpesvirus saimiri Tip protein

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), a T-lymphotropic monkey herpesvirus, induces fulminant T-cell lymphoma in non-natural primate hosts. In addition, it can immortalize human T-cells in vitro. HVS tyrosine kinase-interacting protein (Tip) is an essential viral gene required for T-cell transformation both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we found that Tip interacts with the STAT6 transcription factor and induces phosphorylation of STAT6 in T-cells. The interaction with STAT6 requires the Tyr(127) residue and Lck-binding domain of Tip, which are indispensable for interleukin (IL)-2-independent T-cell transformation by HVS. It was also demonstrated that Tip induces nuclear translocation of STAT6, as well as activation of STAT6-dependent transcription in Jurkat T-cells. Interestingly, the phosphorylated STAT6 mainly colocalized with vesicles containing Tip within T-cells, but was barely detectable in the nucleus. However, nuclear translocation of phospho-STAT6 and transcriptional activation of STAT6 by IL-4 stimulation were not affected significantly in T-cells expressing Tip. Collectively, these findings suggest that the constitutive activation of STAT6 by Tip in T-cells may contribute to IL-2-independent T-cell transformation by HVS.

NF-kappaB activation by the viral oncoprotein StpC enhances IFN-gamma production in T cells

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an essential regulator of innate and adaptive immune responses and a hallmark of the Th1 T-cell subset. It is produced at high levels by human T lymphocytes upon transformation with Herpesvirus saimiri, which depends on the expression of the viral oncoproteins saimiri transformation-associated protein of subgroup C (StpC) and tyrosine kinase-interacting protein (Tip). Here, we show that IFN-gamma production was induced by Tip in Jurkat T cells. StpC by itself did not affect IFN-gamma expression, but enhanced the effect of Tip. Our results substantiated the findings that StpC induces NF-kappaB activation and demonstrated that other transcription factors, including NFAT, AP-1 and serum response element regulators, were not activated by StpC in unstimulated T cells. Studies using StpC mutants deficient in NF-kappaB activation, dominant negative IkappaBalpha and constitutively active IKK2, established the importance of NF-kappaB in StpC-mediated upregulation of IFN-gamma production. These observations suggest that NF-kappaB induction by StpC contributes to the Th1-like phenotype of virus-transformed human T cells.

Histone modification pattern of the T-cellular Herpesvirus saimiri genome in latency

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) subgroup C strains are able to growth transform human T lymphocytes in vitro. The stably persisting and nonintegrating HVS episome represents an optimal prerequisite for the investigation of the epigenetic state of latent herpesvirus genomes in vitro. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments using seven different histone acetylation- or methylation-specific antibodies revealed repressive marks at four lytic gene promoters and a variable pattern at the weakly transcribed LANA/orf73 promoter. The constitutive stpC/tip promoter regulating the viral oncoproteins and, more interestingly, the noncoding repetitive H-DNA elements flanking the coding region, showed a permissive chromatin structure. This study provides an appropriate model for the analysis of epigenetic herpesvirus genome modifications and their dynamics in T cells.

Growth transformation of human T cells by herpesvirus saimiri requires multiple Tip-Lck interaction motifs

Lymphoma induction and T-cell transformation by herpesvirus saimiri strain C488 depends on two viral oncoproteins, StpC and Tip. The major interaction partner of Tip is the protein tyrosine kinase Lck, a key regulator of T-cell activation. The Lck binding domain (LBD) of Tip comprises two interaction motifs, a proline-rich SH3 domain-binding sequence (SH3B) and a region with homology to the C terminus of Src family kinase domains (CSKH). In addition, biophysical binding analyses with purified Lck-SH2 domain suggest the phosphorylated tyrosine residue 127 of Tip (pY127) as a potential third Lck interaction site. Here, we addressed the relevance of the individual binding motifs, SH3B, CSKH, and pY127, for Tip-Lck interaction and for human T-cell transformation. Both motifs within the LBD displayed Lck binding activities and cooperated to achieve a highly efficient interaction, while pY127, the major tyrosine phosphorylation site of Tip, did not enhance Lck binding in T cells. Herpesvirus saimiri strain C488 recombinants lacking one or both LBD motifs of Tip lost their transforming potential on human cord blood lymphocytes. Recombinant virus expressing Tip with a mutation at position Y127 was still able to transform human T lymphocytes but, in contrast to wild-type virus, was strictly dependent on exogenous interleukin-2. Thus, the strong Lck binding mediated by cooperation of both LBD motifs was essential for the transformation of human T cells by herpesvirus saimiri C488. The major tyrosine phosphorylation site Y127 of Tip was particularly required for transformation in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2, suggesting its involvement in cytokine signaling pathways.

Regulation of intracellular signalling by the terminal membrane proteins of members of the Gammaherpesvirinae

The human gamma(1)-herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the gamma(2)-herpesviruses Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV), herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) and herpesvirus ateles (HVA) all contain genes located adjacent to the terminal-repeat region of their genomes, encoding membrane proteins involved in signal transduction. Designated 'terminal membrane proteins' (TMPs) because of their localization in the viral genome, they interact with a variety of cellular signalling molecules, such as non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases, tumour-necrosis factor receptor-associated factors, Ras and Janus kinase (JAK), thereby initiating further downstream signalling cascades, such as the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways. In the case of TMPs expressed during latent persistence of EBV and HVS (LMP1, LMP2A, Stp and Tip), their modulation of intracellular signalling pathways has been linked to the provision of survival signals to latently infected cells and, hence, a contribution to occasional cellular transformation. In contrast, activation of similar pathways by TMPs of KSHV (K1 and K15) and RRV (R1), expressed during lytic replication, may extend the lifespan of virus-producing cells, alter their migration and/or modulate antiviral immune responses. Whether R1 and K1 contribute to the oncogenic properties of KSHV and RRV has not been established satisfactorily, despite their transforming qualities in experimental settings.

NFkappaB signaling is induced by the oncoprotein Tio through direct interaction with TRAF6

The transcription factor NFkappaB is a major regulator of genes involved in inflammation and oncogenesis. NFkappaB is induced upon stimulation of cellular receptors coupled to different intracellular signaling molecules. Further downstream, TRAF6 links at least two receptor pathways to take control of IkappaB, the administrator of NFkappaB activity. Here we report on a strong NFkappaB activation by Tio, a unique herpesviral oncoprotein promoting transformation of human T cells in a Src-kinase-dependent manner. NFkappaB induction by Tio is independent of Src-kinase interaction and tyrosine phosphorylation of Tio. Mutation of a glutamic acid-rich motif at the N terminus of Tio, corresponding to a TRAF6 consensus binding motif, completely abrogated NFkappaB activation. Cotransfection of a dominant negative TRAF6 construct led to a decrease in NFkappaB activation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that TRAF6 directly binds to the Tio oncoprotein. Identification of TRAF6 as the direct target of Tio describes a novel mechanism for the constitutive activation of NFkappaB through an oncoprotein.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the Tio oncoprotein is essential for transformation of primary human T cells

Human T cells are transformed to antigen-independent permanent growth in vitro upon infection with herpesvirus saimiri subgroup C strains. The viral oncoproteins required for this process, StpC and Tip, could be replaced by Tio, the oncoprotein of herpesvirus ateles. Here we demonstrate that proliferation of lymphocytes transformed with Tio-recombinant herpesvirus saimiri required the activity of Src family kinases. Src kinases had previously been identified as interaction partners of Tio. This interaction was now shown to be independent of any of the four tyrosine residues of Tio but to be dependent on an SH3-binding motif. Mutations within this motif abrogated the transforming capabilities of Tio-recombinant herpesvirus saimiri. Furthermore, kinase interaction resulted in the phosphorylation of Tio on a single tyrosine residue at position 136. Mutation of this residue in the viral context revealed that this phosphorylation site, but none of the other tyrosine residues, was required for T-cell transformation. These data indicate that the interaction of Tio with a Src kinase is essential for both the initiation and the maintenance of T-cell transformation by recombinant herpesvirus saimiri. The requirement for the tyrosine phosphorylation site at position 136 suggests a role for Tio beyond simple deregulation of the kinase.

Cell transformation by Herpesvirus saimiri

Herpesvirus saimiri (Saimiriine herpesvirus-2), a gamma2-herpesvirus (rhadinovirus) of non-human primates, causes T-lymphoproliferative diseases in susceptible organisms and transforms human and non-human T lymphocytes to continuous growth in vitro in the absence of stimulation. T cells transformed by H. saimiri retain many characteristics of intact T lymphocytes, such as the sensitivity to interleukin-2 and the ability to recognize the corresponding antigens. As a result, H. saimiri is widely used in immunobiology for immortalization of various difficult-to-obtain and/or -to-maintain T cells in order to obtain useful experimental models. In particular, H. saimiri-transformed human T cells are highly susceptible to infection with HIV-1 and -2. This makes them a convenient tool for propagation of poorly replicating strains of HIV, including primary clinical isolates. Therefore, the mechanisms mediating transformation of T cells by H. saimiri are of considerable interest. A single transformation-associated protein, StpA or StpB, mediates cell transformation by H. saimiri strains of group A or B, respectively. Strains of group C, which exhibit the highest oncogenic potential, have two proteins involved in transformation-StpC and Tip. Both proteins have been shown to dramatically affect signal transduction pathways leading to the activation of crucial transcription factors. This review is focused on the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of action of proteins involved in H. saimiri-dependent transformation.

Autocrine stimulation of rhadinovirus-transformed T cells by the chemokine CCL1/I-309

The rhadinovirus herpesvirus saimiri transforms human T lymphocytes to stable growth in culture. Besides the viral oncogenes stpC and tip, little is understood about the transformation process at the cellular level. To identify cellular factors that might contribute to growth transformation, we compared cellular gene expression in pairs of herpesvirus saimiri-transformed and nontransformed human T-cell clones. Using cDNA arrays and suppressive subtractive hybridization, we were able to identify the chemokine CCL1/I-309 as one of the few cellular genes that are strongly overexpressed in T cells after growth transformation with herpesvirus saimiri. The transformed T cells expressed CCR8, the receptor for CCL1, which rapidly induced intracellular calcium ion levels. Neutralizing antibodies to CCL1 led to reduced secretion of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as well as to reduced proliferation rates in transformed T cells. Thus, we propose that growth transformation of human T cells with herpesvirus saimiri gives rise to an autocrine loop where the proliferation of transformed T cells is supported by the endogenous production of the chemokine CCL1.

Herpesvirus ateles Tio can replace herpesvirus saimiri StpC and Tip oncoproteins in growth transformation of monkey and human T cells

Herpesvirus saimiri group C strains are capable of transforming human and simian T-lymphocyte populations to permanent antigen-independent growth. Two viral oncoproteins, StpC and Tip, that are encoded by a single bicistronic mRNA, act in concert to mediate this phenotype. A closely related New World monkey herpesvirus, herpesvirus ateles, transcribes a single spliced mRNA at an equivalent genome locus. The encoded protein, Tio, has sequence homologies to both StpC and Tip. We inserted the tio sequence of herpesvirus ateles strain 73 into a recombinant herpesvirus saimiri C488 lacking its own stpC/tip oncogene. Simian as well as human T lymphocytes were growth transformed by the chimeric Tio-expressing viruses. Thus, a single herpesvirus protein appears to be responsible for the oncogenic effects of herpesvirus ateles.

Transgenic Mice as an In Vivo Model of Lymphomagenesis

This review covers multiple data obtained on genetically modified mice that help to elucidate various intricate molecular mechanisms of lymphomagenesis in humans. We are in a "golden age" of mouse genetics. The mouse is by far the most accessible mammalian system physiologically similar to humans. Transgenic mouse models have illuminated how different genes contribute to human lymphomagenesis. Multiple experiments with transgenic mice have not only confirmed the data obtained for human lymphomas but also gave additional evidence for the role of some genes and cooperative participation of their products in the development of human lymphomas. Genes and gene networks detected on transgenic mice can successfully serve as molecular targets for tumor therapy. This review demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities of transgenic technology, which is presently one of the readily available, efficient, and accurate tools to solve the problem of cancer.

Generation and precise modification of a herpesvirus saimiri bacterial artificial chromosome demonstrates that the terminal repeats are required for both virus production and episomal persistence

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is the prototype gamma-2 herpesvirus, and shares considerable homology with the human gammaherpesviruses Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Epstein–Barr virus. The generation of herpesvirus mutants is a key facet in the study of virus biology. The use of F-factor-based bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) to clone and modify the genomes of herpesviruses has enhanced the variety, precision and simplicity of mutant production. Here we describe the cloning of the genome of HVS non-transforming strain A11-S4 into a BAC. The cloning of the BAC elements disrupts open reading frame (ORF) 15 but the HVS-BAC can still replicate at levels similar to wild-type virus, and can persistently infect fibroblasts. The HVS-BAC was modified by RecA-mediated recombination initially to substitute reporter genes and also to delete the terminal repeats (TR). After deletion of the TR, the HVS-BAC fails to enter a productive virus lytic cycle, and cannot establish a persistent episomal infection when transfected into fibroblast cell lines. This shows that while ORF 15 is dispensable for virus function in vitro, the TR is required for both virus latency and lytic virus production. In addition, the HVS-BAC promises to be a valuable tool that can be used for the routine and precise production and analysis of viral mutants to further explore gammaherpesvirus biology.

The genome of herpesvirus saimiri C488 which is capable of transforming human T cells

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), the rhadinovirus prototype, is apathogenic in the persistently infected natural host, the squirrel monkey, but causes acute T cell leukemia in other New World primate species. In contrast to subgroups A and B, only strains of HVS subgroup C such as C488 are capable of transforming primary human T cells to stable antigen-independent growth in culture. Here, we report the complete 155-kb genome sequence of the transformation-competent HVS strain C488. The A+T-rich unique L-DNA of 113,027 bp encodes at least 77 open reading frames and 5 URNAs. In addition to the viral oncogenes stp and tip, only a few genes including the transactivator orf50 and the glycoprotein orf51 are highly divergent. In a series of new primary HVS isolates, the subgroup-specific divergence of the orf50/orf51 alleles was studied. In these new isolates, the orf50/orf51 alleles of the respective subgroup segregate with the stp and/or tip oncogene alleles, which are essential for transformation.

The herpesvirus saimiri tip484 and tip488 proteins both stimulate lck tyrosine protein kinase activity in vivo and in vitro

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) of subgroup C efficiently induces leukemia in New World primates and transforms human lymphocytes. The viral tyrosine kinase interacting protein (Tip) binds to the tyrosine protein kinase Lck and is essential for transformation. Understanding how Tip modulates Lck activity is important for elucidating the mechanism of herpesvirus saimiri leukemogenesis. However, there are reports suggesting that whereas the Tip protein of HVS strain 484 stimulates the activity of Lck, the Tip protein of HVS strain 488 inhibits Lck. To determine whether these two divergent Tip proteins have opposite effects on Lck activity, we compared them in parallel. We found that both Tip proteins stimulated Lck kinase activity in vivo and in vitro and that both stimulated NF-AT- and STAT3-dependent transcription in T cells. Our data support the model that HVS infection increases the activity of Lck through the action of Tip.

Structural investigation of the binding of a herpesviral protein to the SH3 domain of tyrosine kinase Lck

Herpesvirus saimiri codes for a tyrosine kinase interacting protein (Tip) that interacts with both the SH3 domain and the kinase domain of the T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase Lck via two separate motifs. The activation of Lck by Tip is considered as a key event in the transformation of human T-lymphocytes during herpesviral infection. We investigated the interaction of proline-rich Tip peptides with the LckSH3 domain starting with the structural characterization of the unbound interaction partners. The solution structure of the LckSH3 was determined by heteronuclear multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using 44 residual dipolar couplings in addition to the conventional experimental restraints. Circular dichroism spectroscopy proved that the polyproline helix of Tip is already formed prior to SH3 binding and is conformationally stable. NMR titration experiments point out three major regions of the Tip-Lck interaction comprising the RT loop, the n-src loop, and a helical turn preceding the last strand of the beta-sheet. Further changes of the chemical shifts were observed for the N- and C-terminal beta-strands of the SH3 domain, indicating additional contacts outside the proline-rich segment or subtle structural rearrangements transmitted from the binding site of the proline helix. Fluorescence spectroscopy shows that Tip binds to the SH3 domains of several Src kinases (Lck, Hck, Lyn, Src, Fyn, Yes), exhibiting the highest affinities for Lyn, Hck, and Lck.

Negative regulation of Lck by Cbl ubiquitin ligase

The Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases function as negative regulators of activated receptor tyrosine kinases by facilitating their ubiquitination and subsequent targeting to lysosomes. Cbl associates with the lymphoid-restricted nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Lck, but the functional relevance of this interaction remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that T cell receptor and CD4 coligation on human T cells results in enhanced association between Cbl and Lck, together with Lck ubiquitination and degradation. A Cbl(-/-) T cell line showed a marked deficiency in Lck ubiquitination and increased levels of kinase-active Lck. Coexpression in 293T cells demonstrated that Lck kinase activity and Cbl ubiquitin ligase activity were essential for Lck ubiquitination and negative regulation of Lck-dependent serum response element-luciferase reporter activity. The Lck SH3 domain was pivotal for Cbl-Lck association and Cbl-mediated Lck degradation, with a smaller role for interactions mediated by the Cbl tyrosine kinase-binding domain. Finally, analysis of a ZAP-70-deficient T cell line revealed that Cbl inhibited Lck-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and an intact Cbl RING finger domain was required for this functional effect. Our results demonstrate a direct, ubiquitination-dependent, negative regulatory role of Cbl for Lck in T cells, independent of Cbl-mediated regulation of ZAP-70.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in herpesvirus saimiri-infected tamarins: tumor cell lines reveal subgroup-specific differences

Efficiency of lymphoma induction by herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) isolates correlates with the genetically defined viral subgroups A, B, and C. To compare subgroup-specific effects, highly susceptible tamarins were infected with HVS strain A-11, B-SMHI, or C-488. All animals developed T-cell lymphomas indistinguishable with respect to clinical, pathological, and virological parameters. Ex vivo T-cell lines were established readily from the HVS C-488 animal, less efficiently in the presence of HVS A-11, and from only a single HVS B-SMHI sample. These cultivated cells revealed strain-specific biochemical characteristics. HVS A-11 strongly induced the expression of tyrosine kinase Lyn. HVS C-488 led to the activation of STAT3, which is most likely linked to the association of virus-encoded Tip with tyrosine kinase Lck. The lack of these activities in HVS B-SMHI-transformed cells may correlate with the reduced oncogenic phenotype of this virus in species other than tamarins.

Downregulation of p56(lck) tyrosine kinase activity in T cells of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) correlates with the nontransforming and apathogenic properties of herpesvirus saimiri in its natural host

Herpesvirus saimiri is capable of transforming T lymphocytes of various primate species to stable growth in culture. The interaction of the T-cellular tyrosine kinase p56(lck) with the transformation-associated viral protein Tip has been shown before to activate the kinase and provides one model for the T-cell-specific transformation by herpesvirus saimiri subgroup C strains. In contrast to other primate species, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) are naturally infected with the virus without signs of lymphoma or other disease. Although the endogenous virus was regularly recovered from peripheral blood cells from squirrel monkeys, we observed that the T cells lost the virus genomes in culture. Superinfection with virus strain C488 did not induce growth transformation, in contrast to parallel experiments with T cells of other primate species. Surprisingly, p56(lck) was enzymatically inactive in primary T-cell lines derived from different squirrel monkeys, although the T cells reacted appropriately to stimulatory signals. The cDNA sequence revealed minor point mutations only, and transfections in COS-7 cells demonstrated that the S. sciureus lck gene codes for a functional enzyme. In S. sciureus, the tyrosine kinase p56(lck) was not activated after T-cell stimulation and enzymatic activity could not be induced by Tip of herpesvirus saimiri C488. However, the suppression of p56(lck) was partially released after administration of the phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate. This argues for unique species-specific conditions in T cells of S. sciureus which may interfere with the transforming activity and pathogenicity of herpesvirus saimiri subgroup C strains in their natural host.