Role of protein kinase A in tax transactivation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type I long terminal repeat

Effects of mutation of the CREB binding site of the somatostatin promoter on cyclic AMP responsiveness in CV-1 cells

The transcription factors CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) and ATF (activating transcription factor) recognize DNA containing the consensus sequence TGACGTCA. We compared the neuropeptide somatostatin promoter, which binds CREB and is activated by cAMP, to the adenovirus E2A promoter, which binds ATF but is not activated by cAMP, to determine which specific nucleotides within a CREB/ATF recognition sequence confer cAMP responsiveness. Several mutant somatostatin promoters were generated containing part of all of the E2A ATF binding site. Some of the hybrid CREB/ATF binding sites competed for factor binding to a wild-type somatostatin promoter probe. However, only the wild-type CREB binding site promoter could confer cAMP activation on a linked CAT plasmid. Furthermore, this wild-type CREB binding site could confer cAMP activation on the CAT plasmid only if it was adjacent to a wild-type somatostatin TATA box and cap site. These results suggest that slight deviation from a wild-type CREB recognition sequence might be tolerated by factor(s) binding to cAMP response element-like sequences. However, transcription activation may require a particular CREB recognition sequence, as well as additional promoter elements that bind proteins that interact with CREB.

Molecular characterization of the Tax-containing HTLV-1 enhancer complex reveals a prominent role for CREB phosphorylation in Tax transactivation

Transcriptional activation of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is mediated by the viral oncoprotein Tax, which utilizes cellular transcriptional machinery to perform this function. The viral promoter carries three cyclic AMP-response elements (CREs), which are recognized by the cellular transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB). Tax binds to GC-rich sequences that immediately flank the CREs. The coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 binds to this promoter-bound ternary complex, which promotes the initiation of HTLV-1 transcription. Protein kinase A phosphorylation of CREB at serine 133 facilitates transcription from cellular CREs by recruiting CBP/p300 via its KIX domain. However, it remains controversial whether CREB phosphorylation plays a role in Tax transactivation. In this study, we biochemically characterized the quaternary complex formed by Tax, CREB, KIX, and the viral CRE by examining the individual molecular interactions that contribute to Tax stabilization in the complex. Our data show KIX, Ser(133)-phosphorylated CREB, and vCRE DNA are all required for stable Tax incorporation into the complex in vitro. Consonant with a fundamental role for CREB phosphorylation in Tax recruitment to the complex, we found that CREB is highly phosphorylated in a panel of HTLV-1-infected human T-cell lines. Significantly, we show that Tax is directly responsible for promoting elevated levels of CREB phosphorylation. Together, these data support a model in which Tax promotes CREB phosphorylation in vivo to ensure availability for Tax transactivation. Because pCREB has been implicated in leukemogenesis, enhancement of CREB phosphorylation by the virus may play a role in the etiology of adult T-cell leukemia.

Relevance of CREB phosphorylation in the anti-apoptotic function of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 tax protein in serum-deprived murine fibroblasts

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax transactivator is thought to play a primary role in the development of HTLV-1-mediated diseases. Using a murine fibroblast model, we previously showed that Tax reduces apoptosis induced by serum starvation by preventing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. As Tax can enhance the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor NF-kB and cAMP-responsive element binding protein/activating transcription factor-1 (CREB/ATF-1), we investigated the relevance of these routes in the anti-apoptotic effects of Tax. Results showed that a Tax mutant retaining CREB/ATF-1 transactivating activity protects murine fibroblasts from serum-depletion-induced apoptosis, while two CREB/ATF-1-defective mutants did not. Treatment with forskolin, an activator of CREB, significantly attenuated cytochrome c release and Bax translocation in response of serum deprivation. In analogy to forskolin treatment, Tax expression results in sustained phosphorylation of CREB at Ser(133) during serum starvation. Considered together, these results underscore a primary role of CREB transcriptional activation in preventing apoptosis triggered by growth factor withdrawal, and suggest that Tax might in part function by affecting the phosphorylation state of CREB.

Mechanisms of T-cell activation by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I

The interactions between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and the cellular immune system can be divided into viral interference with functions of the infected host T cell and the subsequent interactions between the infected T cell and the cellular immune system. HTLV-I-mediated activation of the infected host T cell is induced primarily by the viral protein Tax, which influences transcriptional activation, signal transduction pathways, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. These properties of Tax may well explain the ability of HTLV-I to immortalize T cells. It is not clear, though, how HTLV-I induces T-cell transformation (interleukin-2 [IL-2] independence). Recent evidence suggests that Tax may promote the G1- to S-phase transition, although this may involve additional proteins. A role for other viral proteins that may constitutively activate the IL-2 receptor pathway has also been suggested. By virtue of their activated state, HTLV-I-infected T cells can nonspecifically activate resting, uninfected T cells via virus-mediated upregulation of adhesion molecules. This may favor viral dissemination. Moreover, the induction of a remarkably high frequency of antiviral CD8(+) T cells does not appear to eliminate the infection. Indeed, individuals with a high frequency of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells have a high viral load, indicating a state of chronic immune system stimulation. Thus, while an activated immune system is needed to eradicate the infection, the spread of the HTLV-I is also accelerated under these conditions. A detailed knowledge of the molecular interactions between virus-specific CD8(+) T cells and immunodominant viral epitopes holds promise for the development of specific antiviral therapy.

Evidence that protein kinase A activity is required for the basal and tax-stimulated transcriptional activity of human T-cell leukemia virus type-I long terminal repeat

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the control of human T-cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I) long terminal repeat (LTR) expression, since this issue is still controversial. For this purpose we employed two human T-cell lines; the Jurkat cells in which long exposure to diBu-cAMP severely down-regulated the catalytic subunit of PKA (PKA-C), and H-9 cells in which such exposure markedly increased PKA-C level. Transient transfection assays revealed that addition of diBu-cAMP 1 h before or after transfection profoundly increased HTLV-I LTR directed CAT expression and synergistically enhanced its stimulation by the viral transactivator tax gene product in both cell lines. However longer exposure to diBu-cAMP before transfection reduced LTR-CAT expression to below its basal level and completely abolished its stimulation by tax in Jurkat cells, and this diBu-cAMP inhibitory effect could be abrogated by co-transfection of a PKA-C expressing vector. By contrast, in H-9 cells, this long exposure to diBu-cAMP continued enhancing LTR-CAT expression and its tax-mediated transactivation, and this stimulatory effect of diBu-cAMP could be diminished by the PKA-specific inhibitor N-12-(p-bromocinnamylamine)ethyll-5-isoquinolinsulfonamid e (H-89). Notably, in the absence of diBu-cAMP treatment H-89 reduced LTR-CAT expression to below its basal level and prevented its stimulation by tax in both cell lines. Together these findings indicate not only that cAMP-activated PKA stimulates HTLV-I LTR expression and its transactivation by tax, but even in the absence of PKA activating signals the basal HTLV-I LTR expression as well as its stimulation by tax are both dependent on a basal PKA activity.

Signaling via the CD2 receptor enhances HTLV-1 replication in T lymphocytes

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is considered the etiologic agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and several chronic progressive immune-mediated diseases. Approximately 1-4% of infected individuals develop disease, generally decades following infection. Increased proviral transcription, mediated by the viral 40-kDa trans-activating protein, Tax, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HTLV-1-associated diseases. Since the HTLV-1 promoter contains sequences responsive to cyclic AMP and protein kinase C, we hypothesized that lymphocyte activation signals initiated through the TCR/CD3 complex or CD2 receptor promote viral replication in HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes. We demonstrate that mAbs directed against the CD2, but not the CD3 receptor increase viral p24 capsid protein 1.5- to 5.7-fold in CD2/CD3+ HTLV-1-infected cell culture supernatants. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a 2.5- to 4-fold increase in all species of viral mRNA following CD2 cross-linking of OSP2/4 cells, an immortalized HTLV-1 cell line. Consistent with transcriptional regulation, reporter gene activity increased approximately 11-fold in CD2-stimulated Jurkat T cells cotransfected with a Tax-expressing plasmid and a CAT reporter gene construct under control of the HTLV-1 promoter. These data suggest a possible physiologic mechanism, whereby CD2-mediated cell adhesion and lymphocyte activation may promote viral transcription in infected lymphocytes.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax releases cell cycle arrest induced by p16INK4a

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein causes cellular transformation by deregulating important cellular processes such as DNA repair, transcription, signal transduction, proliferation, and growth. Although it is clear that normal cell cycle control is deregulated during HTLV-1-induced cellular transformation, the effects of Tax on cell cycle control are not well understood. Flow cytometric analyses of human T cells indicate that cell cycle arrest in late G1, at or before the G1/S restriction point, by p16INK4a is relieved by Tax. Furthermore, Tax-dependent stimulation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and transcriptional activation is inhibited by p16INK4a. This result suggests that p16INK4a is able to block Tax-dependent stimulation of DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression into S phase. In vitro binding assays with recombinant glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins and [35S]methionine-labeled proteins indicate that Tax binds specifically with p16INK4a but not with either p21cip1 or p27kip1. Furthermore, sequential immunoprecipitation assays with specific antisera and [35S]methionine-labeled cell lysates subsequent to coexpression with Tax and p16INK4a indicate that the two proteins form complexes in vivo. Immunocomplex kinase assays with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 antiserum indicate that Tax blocks the inhibition of cdk4 kinase activity by p16INK4a. This study identifies p16INK4a as a novel cellular target for Tax and suggests that the inactivation of p16INK4a function is a mechanism of cell cycle deregulation by Tax.

T helper cell activation and human retroviral pathogenesis

T helper (Th) cells are of central importance in regulating many critical immune effector mechanisms. The profile of cytokines produced by Th cells correlates with the type of effector cells induced during the immune response to foreign antigen. Th1 cells induce the cell-mediated immune response, while Th2 cells drive antibody production. Th cells are the preferential targets of human retroviruses. Infections with human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) result in the expansion of Th cells by the action of HTLV (adult T-cell leukemia) or the progressive loss of T cells by the action of HIV (AIDS). Both retrovirus infections impart a high-level activation state in the host immune cells as well as systemically. However, diverging responses to this activation state have contrasting effects on the Th-cell population. In HIV infection, Th-cell loss has been attributed to several mechanisms, including a selective elimination of cells by apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis in HIV infection is complex, with many different pathways able to induce cell death. In contrast, infection of Th cells with HTLV-1 affords the cell a protective advantage against apoptosis. This advantage may allow the cell to escape immune surveillance, providing the opportunity for the development of Th-cell cancer. In this review, we will discuss the impact of Th-cell activation and general immune activation on human retrovirus expression with a focus upon Th-cell function and the progression to disease.

The oncoprotein Tax of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 activates transcription via interaction with cellular ATF-1/CREB factors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The transcription factor Tax of the oncogenic human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 is likely to be responsible for viral replication in the host organism and for the induction of proliferation in infected cells. To investigate Tax-mediated transcription in vivo, we expressed Tax as well as CREB in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The activity of these proteins was monitored by expression of a beta-galactosidase reporter gene, which was fused to two viral 21-bp repeats located upstream of the yeast cytochrome c1 oxidase minimal promoter. Coexpression of Tax and CREB in S. cerevisiae led to a 20-fold increase in beta-galactosidase activity in comparison with that in strains expressing either Tax or CREB alone. By screening a human cDNA library, we were able to demonstrate that the Tax transactivation assay using S. cerevisiae can be successfully applied to identify other cellular proteins forming ternary complexes with Tax and 21-bp repeats in vivo. Upon transformation in S. cerevisiae, 1 of 13,500 clones tested positive. Sequencing of the cDNA insert of the rescued plasmid revealed that this DNA encoded the ATF-1 protein. beta-Galactosidase induction was comparable to that of the Tax/CREB coexpression system. This indicates that Tax-mediated transcription is critically dependent on the presence of cellular CREB or ATF-1 in vivo. Stimulation of transcription initiation required an unmasked NH2 terminus of Tax. Fusion of Tax to the yeast Gal4 protein abolished the transactivation potential of Tax. Reconstitution of the transcriptional properties of viral Tax together with the cellular proteins of the ATF-1/CREB family in S. cerevisiae allows the functional characterization of these proteins in vivo.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I tax masks c-Myc function through a cAMP-dependent pathway

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax is a pleiotropic gene regulator that functions through CREB/ATF- and NF-kappaB-mediated pathways. In most contexts, Tax is a potent gene activator. Here, we describe an unexpected finding of Myc repression by Tax. In cells that overexpress human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax, the detection of c-Myc protein in the nucleus by a monoclonal antibody was masked. Tax prevented immunological visualization of a Myc epitope contained within amino acids 45-104, resulting in interference with Myc function in transcription and in anchorage-independent cell growth. Tax did not affect steady-state protein levels since detection of c-Myc with other antibodies was unperturbed. Four observations suggest that this Tax-Myc interaction is mediated through CREB/ATF signal transduction. 1) Tax point mutants, selectively defective for activation of CREB/ATF but not NF-kappaB, failed to mask c-Myc; 2) masking of Myc was abolished when Tax-expressing cells were treated with protein kinase inhibitor H-9; 3) Tax-specific shielding of Myc is absent in cells (B1R) that are genetically defective for cAMP signaling; and 4) forskolin treatment of cells mimicked Tax in masking the Myc epitope. Considered collectively, these findings suggest a regulation of Myc function at the level of localized protein conformation.

Cyclic AMP-mediated growth arrest is associated with increased expression of human T cell leukemia virus type I structural and transforming genes

The effect of increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels on gene expression of the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) provirus was examined. Induction of infected cells to produce elevated levels of cyclic AMP was associated with specific increases in viral surface antigen expression, protein synthesis, p24 release into the supernatant, and RNA levels. The patterns of HTLV-I proviral gene expression observed support results from transfection experiments regarding the function of Tax, Rex, and cyclic AMP in HTLV-I gene regulation. As evidenced by thymidine incorporation, treatment of the infected cells to produce cyclic AMP caused reversible growth arrest. The data indicate that HTLV-I RNA and protein synthesis can proceed at an elevated level in the absence of cell growth. Sustained increases in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP may represent a method for enriching cell cultures in HTLV-I proteins.

Mechanisms of Tax Regulation of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type I Gene Expression

During the last several years, the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) has become recognized as an important cause for public health concern throughout the world. HTLV-I is the causative agent of a variety of clinical diseases, including an aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder named adult T cell leukemia. HTLV-I induces pathogenicity in the infected host cell through the synthesis of a virally encoded protein called Tax. Expression of Tax is critical to the life cycle of the virus, as the protein greatly increases the efficiency of HTLV-I gene transcription and replication. Furthermore, Tax has been shown to deregulate the transcription of many cellular genes, leading to the hypothesis that the presence of Tax promotes unchecked growth in the HTLV-I-infected cell. The mechanism of Tax trans-activation of HTLV-I gene expression is not known. Tax does not bind directly to the Tax-responsive promoter elements of the virus, but appears to function through interaction with certain cellular DNA binding proteins, including activating transcription factor 2 and cAMP response element binding protein that recognize these sequences. This review summarizes some of the recent work in the field aimed at elucidating the mechanism of Tax trans-activation of HTLV-I gene expression. Copyright 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel

Novel interactions between human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax and activating transcription factor 3 at a cyclic AMP-responsive element

Human proenkephalin gene transcription is transactivated by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax in human Jurkat T lymphocytes. This transactivation was further enhanced in Jurkat cells treated with concanavalin A, cyclic AMP, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Deletion and cis-element transfer analyses of the human proenkephalin promoter identified a cyclic AMP-responsive AP-1 element (-92 to -86) as both necessary and sufficient to confer Tax-dependent transactivation. Different AP-1 or cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) proteins which bind this element were expressed in murine teratocarcinoma F9 cells to identify those capable of mediating Tax-dependent transactivation of human proenkephalin gene transcription. Although CREB, c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunD did not have significant effects, JunB inhibited the Tax-dependent transactivation. In contrast, ATF3 dramatically induced Tax-dependent transactivation, which was further enhanced by protein kinase A. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with recombinant fusion proteins expressed and purified from bacteria indicate that the DNA-binding activity of ATF3 is also dramatically enhanced by Tax. Chimeric fusion proteins consisting of the DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcription factor Gal4 and the amino-terminal domain (residues 1 to 66) of ATF3 were able to mediate Tax-dependent transactivation of a Gal4-responsive promoter, which suggests a direct involvement of this region of ATF3. Recombinant fusion proteins of glutathione S-transferase with either the amino- or carboxy-terminal (residues 139 to 181) domain of ATF3 were able to specifically interact with Tax. Furthermore, specific antisera directed against Tax coimmunoprecipitated ATF3 only in the presence of Tax.

Novel interactions between human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax and activating transcription factor 3 at a cyclic AMP-responsive element

Human proenkephalin gene transcription is transactivated by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax in human Jurkat T lymphocytes. This transactivation was further enhanced in Jurkat cells treated with concanavalin A, cyclic AMP, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Deletion and cis-element transfer analyses of the human proenkephalin promoter identified a cyclic AMP-responsive AP-1 element (-92 to -86) as both necessary and sufficient to confer Tax-dependent transactivation. Different AP-1 or cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) proteins which bind this element were expressed in murine teratocarcinoma F9 cells to identify those capable of mediating Tax-dependent transactivation of human proenkephalin gene transcription. Although CREB, c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunD did not have significant effects, JunB inhibited the Tax-dependent transactivation. In contrast, ATF3 dramatically induced Tax-dependent transactivation, which was further enhanced by protein kinase A. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with recombinant fusion proteins expressed and purified from bacteria indicate that the DNA-binding activity of ATF3 is also dramatically enhanced by Tax. Chimeric fusion proteins consisting of the DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcription factor Gal4 and the amino-terminal domain (residues 1 to 66) of ATF3 were able to mediate Tax-dependent transactivation of a Gal4-responsive promoter, which suggests a direct involvement of this region of ATF3. Recombinant fusion proteins of glutathione S-transferase with either the amino- or carboxy-terminal (residues 139 to 181) domain of ATF3 were able to specifically interact with Tax. Furthermore, specific antisera directed against Tax coimmunoprecipitated ATF3 only in the presence of Tax.

Expression and characterization of the trans-activating protein Tax of human T-cell leukemia virus type I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The trans-activator protein Tax of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) stimulates transcription of the viral genome from the long terminal repeat. With a reporter HIS4TATA::lacZ fusion gene, the transcriptional activity of the Tax-responsive element in the long terminal repeat was tested in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that fragments containing the 21-bp repeat of the HTLV-I enhancer stimulate synthesis of beta-galactosidase activity 15- to 20-fold. To test the ability of the Tax protein to trans activate the HTLV-I enhancer in yeast cells, the pX region of HTLV-I, encoding the Tax protein, was cloned under the control of the yeast GAL1 promoter. The expressed Tax protein is localized in the nucleus and associated with the yeast nuclear matrix fraction. In yeast cells that contained the integrated tax gene, two- to sixfold stimulation of expression from the HTLV-I enhancer was detected at the early stages of tax induction. This in vivo reconstitution system provides a new approach for examining the host factor(s), the signal transduction mechanism(s), and the role of nuclear architecture involved in Tax-mediated trans activation.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) transcriptional activator, Tax, enhances CREB binding to HTLV-I 21-base-pair repeats by protein-protein interaction

HTLV-I Tax protein activates transcription from three 21-base-pair (bp) repeat sequences in the viral enhancer. The HTLV-I 21-bp repeat contains a TGACGT motif that is homologous to the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) and crucial for tax transactivation. Tax exhibits marginal affinity for DNA but rather interacts with cellular CRE-binding proteins to enhance their affinity for the HTLV-I 21-bp repeats. Using the HTLV-I 21-bp repeat and Jurkat T-lymphocyte nuclear extract in a gel electrophoretic mobility-shift assay, we previously detected three protein-DNA complexes that are specific for the CRE in the 21-bp repeat (complexes I, II, and IV). Complexes I and II but not IV interacted with Tax. We now show that complexes I, II, and IV are composed of CREB (CRE binding protein) homodimer, CREB/ATF-1 (activating transcription factor 1) heterodimer, and ATF-1 homodimer, respectively. Tax stabilizes complexes I and II via a direct interaction with the CREB moiety. In the absence of DNA, CREB and Tax continue to form a complex that can be immunoprecipitated by a Tax-specific antibody. These results suggest that one mechanism by which Tax activates transcription may be mediated through the direct interaction with CREB homodimer and/or CREB/ATF-1 heterodimer to stabilize their assembly on the Tax-responsive CRE motifs in the HTLV-I enhancer.

Transactivation of the proenkephalin gene promoter by the Tax1 protein of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), an etiologic agent for adult T-cell leukemia, is strongly associated with certain neurological diseases. The HTLV-I genome encodes a protein, Tax1, that transactivates viral gene transcription. CD4-positive T helper lymphocytes express the proenkephalin gene, and enkephalins have been implicated as neuroimmunomodulators. We have investigated the effect of Tax1 on the proenkephalin gene promoter in C6 rat glioma cells and demonstrated its transactivation. Analysis using 5' deletion mutants of the promoter region showed that sequences upstream of base pair -190 are necessary for maximal transactivation. Forskolin, a cAMP modulator, synergistically increased Tax1-mediated transactivation of the proenkephalin promoter. Neither Tax1 transactivation alone nor Tax1/cAMP synergism exclusively involved cAMP-responsive elements. Endogenous proenkephalin gene expression increased in Tax1-expressing C6 cells. Since HTLV-I infects lymphocytes, which express proenkephalin mRNA, Tax1 transregulation of proenkephalin expression may provide bidirectional communication between the nervous and immune systems in HTLV-I-related diseases.

Isolation of cDNAs for DNA-binding proteins which specifically bind to a tax-responsive enhancer element in the long terminal repeat of human T-cell leukemia virus type I

One of the gene products of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), p40tax, activates its own viral transcription in trans through tax-responsive enhancers in viral long terminal repeats. Five species of cDNA clones for proteins that bind to the tax-responsive enhancer element in HTLV-I were isolated from the Jurkat cell library. The beta-galactosidase fusion protein prepared from the lysogen of a clone specifically recognized the cyclic AMP-responsive element in HTLV-I enhancer. The nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA clone (TAXREB67) had a coding capacity of 351 amino acids, which contained a basic motif followed by a leucine zipper structure near the carboxy terminus. Its mRNA was detected in human cell lines, including HTLV-I-infected or noninfected hematopoietic cell lines. The mRNA level in Jurkat cells was decreased temporarily by increasing cyclic AMP concentration but increased by increasing Ca2+ concentration. Polyclonal antibodies against the fusion protein specifically recognized a 52-kDa protein in Jurkat cells. Analyses of the function of this protein and its interactions with other cellular factors will be useful to help understand the regulatory mechanism through tax-responsive enhancers in HTLV-I.

Induction of the HTLV-I LTR by Jun occurs through the Tax-responsive 21-bp elements

The HTLV-I LTR is known to be induced by a variety of cellular signals. Tax protein is one potent viral trans-activator of LTR-directed transcription. We demonstrate here that Jun is another transcription factor that can strongly modulate the activity of this LTR. Using deletion and competition studies, the minimal portion of the LTR for Jun activation was found to coincide with the Tax-responsive 21-bp elements. In binding experiments, nuclear factors that bound to the HTLV-I 21-bp sequence were competed by an excess of AP-1 motif oligonucleotide. Although the Tax-responsive elements do not contain a strictly conserved AP-1 motif, these findings suggest that they function as AP-1 sites. We found, however, that in cells depleted for AP-1 activity (F9 teratocarcinoma), Tax activation of the HTLV-I LTR was maintained. Thus while Jun/AP-1 may be involved in the basal expression of the HTLV-I LTR, it may not be essential for Tax-mediated activation.