Varicella-zoster virus open reading frame 4 encodes an immediate-early protein with posttranscriptional regulatory properties

A Guide to Preclinical Models of Zoster-Associated Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia

Reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes herpes zoster (HZ), which is commonly accompanied by acute pain and pruritus over the time course of a zosteriform rash. Although the rash and associated pain are self-limiting, a considerable fraction of HZ cases will subsequently develop debilitating chronic pain states termed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). How VZV causes acute pain and the mechanisms underlying the transition to PHN are far from clear. The human-specific nature of VZV has made in vivo modeling of pain following reactivation difficult to study because no single animal can reproduce reactivated VZV disease as observed in the clinic. Investigations of VZV pathogenesis following primary infection have benefited greatly from human tissues harbored in immune-deficient mice, but modeling of acute and chronic pain requires an intact nervous system with the capability of transmitting ascending and descending sensory signals. Several groups have found that subcutaneous VZV inoculation of the rat induces prolonged and measurable changes in nociceptive behavior, indicating sensitivity that partially mimics the development of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia seen in HZ and PHN patients. Although it is not a model of reactivation, the rat is beginning to inform how VZV infection can evoke a pain response and induce long-lasting alterations to nociception. In this review, we will summarize the rat pain models from a practical perspective and discuss avenues that have opened for testing of novel treatments for both zoster-associated pain and chronic PHN conditions, which remain in critical need of effective therapies.

Comparative Analysis of the Simian Varicella Virus and Varicella Zoster Virus Genomes

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) and simian varicella virus (SVV) cause varicella (chickenpox) in children and nonhuman primates, respectively. After resolution of acute disease, the viruses establish latent infection in neural ganglia, after which they may reactivate to cause a secondary disease, such as herpes zoster. SVV infection of nonhuman primates provides a model to investigate VZV pathogenesis and antiviral strategies. The VZV and SVV genomes are similar in size and structure and share 70–75% DNA homology. SVV and VZV DNAs are co-linear in gene arrangement with the exception of the left end of the viral genomes. Viral gene expression is regulated into immediate early, early, and late transcription during in vitro and in vivo infection. During viral latency, VZV and SVV gene expression is limited to transcription of a viral latency-associated transcript (VLT). VZV and SVV are closely related alphaherpesviruses that likely arose from an ancestral varicella virus that evolved through cospeciation into species-specific viruses.

Varicella-zoster virus early infection but not complete replication is required for the induction of chronic hypersensitivity in rat models of postherpetic neuralgia

Herpes zoster, the result of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, is frequently complicated by difficult-to-treat chronic pain states termed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). While there are no animal models of VZV-induced pain following viral reactivation, subcutaneous VZV inoculation of the rat causes long-term nocifensive behaviors indicative of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Previous studies using UV-inactivated VZV in the rat model suggest viral gene expression is required for the development of pain behaviors. However, it remains unclear if complete infection processes are needed for VZV to induce hypersensitivity in this host. To further assess how gene expression and replication contribute, we developed and characterized three replication-conditional VZV using a protein degron system to achieve drug-dependent stability of essential viral proteins. Each virus was then assessed for induction of hypersensitivity in rats under replication permissive and nonpermissive conditions. VZV with a degron fused to ORF9p, a late structural protein that is required for virion assembly, induced nocifensive behaviors under both replication permissive and nonpermissive conditions, indicating that complete VZV replication is dispensable for the induction of hypersensitivity. This conclusion was confirmed by showing that a genetic deletion recombinant VZV lacking DNA packaging protein ORF54p still induced prolonged hypersensitivities in the rat. In contrast, VZV with a degron fused to the essential IE4 or IE63 proteins, which are involved in early gene regulation of expression, induced nocifensive behaviors only under replication permissive conditions, indicating importance of early gene expression events for induction of hypersensitivity. These data establish that while early viral gene expression is required for the development of nocifensive behaviors in the rat, complete replication is dispensable. We postulate this model reflects events leading to clinical PHN, in which a population of ganglionic neurons become abortively infected with VZV during reactivation and survive, but host signaling becomes altered in order to transmit ongoing pain.

Nuclear localization signals of varicella zoster virus ORF4

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) ORF4 protein, one of immediate-early genes protein, is associated with the tegument in purified virions. ORF4 protein functions at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, present during different phase of whole VZV life cycle. ORF4 protein acts as a nucleocytoplasm shuttle protein, the precise nuclear location signals (NLS) and molecular mechanisms of nucleocytoplasm transport are not elucidated. At this study, we constructed a series of mutants, used fluorescence microscopy and Co-IP analysis to identify an unconventional bipartite NLS ((130)RKHRDRSLSNRRRRP(144)) in VZV ORF4. This study also demonstrates that nuclear import of VZV ORF4 occurs via a Ran-dependent pathway with importin-α5 and importin-β1. Additionally, NLS function of ORF4 is independent from VZV ORF62 protein. ORF62 protein cannot influence the intracellular distribution of ORF4 protein without NLS. So interaction between ORF4 and ORF62 protein is speculated to occur in nucleus. Thus, NLS is indispensable for the post-transcriptional function of ORF4.

Regulation of the varicella-zoster virus ORF3 promoter by cellular and viral factors

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) immediate early 62 protein (IE62) activates most if not all identified promoters of VZV genes and also some minimum model promoters that contain only a TATA box element. Analysis of the DNA elements that function in IE62 activation of the VZV ORF3 promoter revealed that the 100 nucleotides before the translation start site of the ORF3 gene contains the promoter elements. This promoter lacks any functional TATA box element. Cellular transcription factors Sp1, Sp3 and YY1 bind to the promoter, and mutation of their binding sites inhibited ORF3 gene expression. VZV regulatory proteins, IE63 and ORF29, ORF61 and ORF10 proteins inhibited IE62-mediated activation of this promoter. Mutation of the Sp1/Sp3 binding site in the VZV genome did not alter VZV replication kinetics. This work suggests that Sp family proteins contribute to the activation of VZV promoters by IE62 in the absence of functional TATA box.

Entrapment of viral capsids in nuclear PML cages is an intrinsic antiviral host defense against varicella-zoster virus

The herpesviruses, like most other DNA viruses, replicate in the host cell nucleus. Subnuclear domains known as promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), or ND10 bodies, have been implicated in restricting early herpesviral gene expression. These viruses have evolved countermeasures to disperse PML-NBs, as shown in cells infected in vitro, but information about the fate of PML-NBs and their functions in herpesvirus infected cells in vivo is limited. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an alphaherpesvirus with tropism for skin, lymphocytes and sensory ganglia, where it establishes latency. Here, we identify large PML-NBs that sequester newly assembled nucleocapsids (NC) in neurons and satellite cells of human dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and skin cells infected with VZV in vivo. Quantitative immuno-electron microscopy revealed that these distinctive nuclear bodies consisted of PML fibers forming spherical cages that enclosed mature and immature VZV NCs. Of six PML isoforms, only PML IV promoted the sequestration of NCs. PML IV significantly inhibited viral infection and interacted with the ORF23 capsid surface protein, which was identified as a target for PML-mediated NC sequestration. The unique PML IV C-terminal domain was required for both capsid entrapment and antiviral activity. Similar large PML-NBs, termed clastosomes, sequester aberrant polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins, such as Huntingtin (Htt), in several neurodegenerative disorders. We found that PML IV cages co-sequester HttQ72 and ORF23 protein in VZV infected cells. Our data show that PML cages contribute to the intrinsic antiviral defense by sensing and entrapping VZV nucleocapsids, thereby preventing their nuclear egress and inhibiting formation of infectious virus particles. The efficient sequestration of virion capsids in PML cages appears to be the outcome of a basic cytoprotective function of this distinctive category of PML-NBs in sensing and safely containing nuclear aggregates of aberrant proteins.

Varicella-zoster virus IE4 protein interacts with SR proteins and exports mRNAs through the TAP/NXF1 pathway

Available data suggest that the Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) IE4 protein acts as an important regulator on VZV and cellular genes expression and could exert its functions at post-transcriptional level. However, the molecular mechanisms supported by this protein are not yet fully characterized. In the present study, we have attempted to clarify this IE4-mediated gene regulation and identify some cellular partners of IE4. By yeast two-hybrid and immunoprecipitation analysis, we showed that IE4 interacts with three shuttling SR proteins, namely ASF/SF2, 9G8 and SRp20. We positioned the binding domain in the IE4 RbRc region and we showed that these interactions are not bridged by RNA. We demonstrated also that IE4 strongly interacts with the main SR protein kinase, SRPK1, and is phosphorylated in in vitro kinase assay on residue Ser-136 contained in the Rb domain. By Northwestern analysis, we showed that IE4 is able to bind RNA through its arginine-rich region and in immunoprecipitation experiments the presence of RNA stabilizes complexes containing IE4 and the cellular export factors TAP/NXF1 and Aly/REF since the interactions are RNase-sensitive. Finally, we determined that IE4 influences the export of reporter mRNAs and clearly showed, by TAP/NXF1 knockdown, that VZV infection requires the TAP/NXF1 export pathway to express some viral transcripts. We thus highlighted a new example of viral mRNA export factor and proposed a model of IE4-mediated viral mRNAs export.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP27 regulates expression of a variant, secreted form of glycoprotein C by an intron retention mechanism

We previously showed that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early (IE) protein ICP27 can posttranscriptionally stimulate mRNA accumulation from a transfected viral late gene encoding glycoprotein C (gC) (K. D. Perkins, J. Gregonis, S. Borge, and S. A. Rice, J. Virol. 77:9872-9884, 2003). We began this study by asking whether ICP27 homologs from other herpesviruses can also mediate this activity. Although the homologs from varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were inactive, the homolog from bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4), termed HORF1/2, was a very efficient transactivator. Surprisingly, most of the mRNA produced via HORF1/2 transactivation was 225 nucleotides shorter than expected due to the removal of a previously undescribed intron from the gC transcript. We found that the gC mRNA produced in the absence of transactivation was also mostly spliced. In contrast, gC mRNA produced by ICP27 transactivation was predominantly unspliced. Based on these results, we conclude that ICP27 has two distinct effects on the transfected gC gene: it (i) stimulates mRNA accumulation and (ii) promotes the retention of an intron. Interestingly, the spliced transcript encodes a variant of gC that lacks its transmembrane domain and is secreted from transfected cells. As the gC splicing signals are conserved among several HSV-1 strains, we investigated whether the variant gC is expressed during viral infection. We report here that both the spliced transcript and its encoded protein are readily detected in Vero cells infected with three different laboratory strains of wild-type HSV-1. Moreover, the variant gC is efficiently secreted from infected cells. We have designated this alternate form of the protein as gCsec. As the extracellular domain of gC is known to bind heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans and to inhibit the complement cascade via an interaction with complement component C3b, we speculate that gCsec could function as a secreted virulence factor.

The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF57 protein: a pleurotropic regulator of gene expression

Herpesviridae comprises over 120 viruses infecting a wide range of vertebrates including humans and livestock. Herpesvirus infections typically produce dermal lesions or immune cell destruction, but can also lead to oncogenesis, especially with KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). All herpesviruses are nuclear replicating viruses that subvert cellular processes such as nucleocytoplasmic transport for their advantage. For virus replication to take over the cell and produce lytic infection requires that virus gene expression outpace that of the host cell. KSHV ORF57 (open reading frame 57) appears to play a major role in this by (i) serving as a nuclear export receptor to carry intronless viral mRNAs out of the nucleus and (ii) inhibiting expression of intron-containing host mRNAs. As most of the virally encoded mRNAs are intronless compared with host cell mRNAs, these two mechanisms are critical to overcoming host gene expression.

Persistent high frequencies of varicella-zoster virus ORF4 protein-specific CD4+ T cells after primary infection

Open reading frame 4 (ORF4) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encodes an immediate-early protein that is believed to be important for viral infectivity and establishing latency. Evidence suggests that VZV-specific T cells are crucial in the control of viral replication, but there are no data addressing the existence of potential ORF4 protein-specific CD4+ T cells. We tested the hypothesis that VZV ORF4 protein-specific CD4+ T cells could be identified and characterized within the peripheral blood of healthy immune donors following primary infection. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) immunosorbent assays were used to screen peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy seropositive donors for responses to overlapping ORF4 peptides, viral lysate, and live vaccine. High frequencies of ORF4 protein-specific T cells were detected ex vivo in individuals up to 52 years after primary infection. Several immunogenic regions of the ORF4 protein were identified, including a commonly recognized epitope which was restricted through HLA-DRB1*07. Total ORF4 protein-specific responses comprised 19.7% and 20.7% of the total lysate and vaccine responses, respectively, and were dominated by CD4+ T cells. Indeed, CD4+ T cells were found to dominate the overall virus-specific IFN-gamma cellular immune response both ex vivo and after expansion in vitro. In summary, we have identified an ORF4 protein as a novel target antigen for persistent VZV-specific CD4+ T cells, with implications for disease pathogenesis and future vaccine development.

ORF61 protein of Varicella-zoster virus influences JNK/SAPK and p38/MAPK phosphorylation

Recently, it was demonstrated that the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection led to an activation of MAP kinases. The viral protein encoded by ORF61 is a major effector of JNK/SAPK and p38/MAPK phosphorylation. ORF61 shows homology to HSV-1 ICP0, a multifunctional protein that influences the activity of c-Jun in infected cells. Stable expression of ORF61 in a MeWo derived cell line gave rise to two specific effects: (i) a major decrease of VZV replication and (ii) a strongly elevated basal JNK/SAPK phosphorylation but a reduced p38/MAPK phosphorylation, which were both altered following infection. A dose-dependent inhibition of JNK/SAPK in MeWo/61 cells resulted in a step-by-step increase of VZV replication. These findings indicate (i) that ORF61 is responsible for the elevated JNK/SAPK phosphorylation and (ii) that the VZV replication and the JNK/SAPK phosphorylation are related inversely. Compared to MeWo cells, the basal phosphorylation of downstream targets c-Jun and ATF-2 was reduced following ORF61 expression but restored after infection. Subsequent cascades to induce inflammatory responses were activated insignificantly; cascades to activate apoptotic events also remained silent. These data point towards an important role of ORF61 in the fine-regulation of activation of the MAPK pathways and their downstream targets to optimize the availability of cellular factors involved in VZV gene expression.

Varicella-zoster virus ORF4 latency-associated protein is important for establishment of latency

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encodes at least six genes that are expressed during latency. One of the genes, ORF4, encodes an immediate-early protein that is present in the virion tegument. ORF4 RNA and protein have been detected in latently infected human ganglia. We have constructed a VZV mutant deleted for ORF4 and have shown that the gene is essential for replication in vitro. The ORF4 mutant virus could be propagated when grown in cells infected with baculovirus expressing the ORF4 protein under the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter. In contrast, the VZV ORF4 deletion mutant could not be complemented in cells expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP27, the homolog of ORF4. Cells infected with baculovirus expressing ORF4 did not complement an HSV-1 ICP27 deletion mutant. VZV-infected cotton rats have been used as a model for latency; viral DNA and latency-associated transcripts are expressed in dorsal root ganglia 1 month or more after experimental infection. Cotton rats inoculated with VZV lacking ORF4 showed reduced frequency of latency compared to animals infected with the parental or ORF4-rescued virus. Thus, in addition to VZV ORF63, which was previously shown to be critical for efficient establishment of latency, ORF4 is also important for latent infection.

A posttranscriptional regulator of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus interacts with RNA-binding protein PCBP1 and controls gene expression through the IRES

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8, HHV-8) belongs to the gamma-herpesvirus subfamily. The KSHV ORF57 gene is thought to be a homolog of posttranscriptional regulators that are conserved in the herpesvirus family and are essential for replication. We generated specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the ORF57 protein that detected the 51-kDa protein expressed in the nucleus of KSHV-infected cells. We also found that the ORF57 protein interacted with poly(rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1), a cellular RNA-binding, posttranscriptional regulator. ORF57's interaction with PCBP1 enhanced the activity of not only poliovirus internal ribosome-entry site (IRES)-dependent translation but also X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and KSHV vFLIP IRES. Actually, when ORF57 expression was induced by the expression of replication and transcription activator (RTA) in KSHV-infected cells, the expression of XIAP was enhanced. These results suggest that ORF57 binds to PCBP1 as a functional partner for posttranscriptional regulation and is involved in the regulation of the expression of both cellular and viral genes through IRESs.

The equine herpesvirus 1 EICP27 protein enhances gene expression via an interaction with TATA box-binding protein

The mechanism(s) by which the early EICP27 gene product cooperates with other equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) regulatory proteins to achieve maximal promoter activity remains unknown. Transient transfection assays revealed that deletion of residues 93-140 of the 470-aa EICP27 protein substantially diminished its activation of the immediate-early (IE) promoter, whereas deletion of residues 140-470 that contain a zinc-finger motif abolished this activity. Fluorescence microscopy of cells expressing the full-length EICP27 protein or portions of this protein revealed that an arginine-rich sequence spanning residues 178-185 mediates nuclear entry. Experiments employing the mammalian Gal4 two-plasmid system revealed that the EICP27 protein does not possess an independent trans-activation domain (TAD). Protein-protein interaction assays using purified proteins revealed that residues 124-220 of the EICP27 protein mediate its direct interaction with TATA box-binding protein (TBP). Partial deletion of this TBP-binding domain attenuated the ability of the EICP27 protein to stimulate the IE and early EICP0 promoters by 68% and 71%, respectively, indicating the importance of this protein-protein interaction.

Requirement of varicella-zoster virus immediate-early 4 protein for viral replication

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes two diseases, chickenpox and zoster. VZV open reading frame 4 (ORF4) encodes the immediate-early 4 (IE4) protein, which is conserved among alphaherpesvirus and has transactivation activity in transient transfections. To determine whether the ORF4 gene product is essential for viral replication, we used VZV cosmids to remove ORF4 from the VZV genome. Deleting ORF4 was incompatible with recovery of infectious virus, whereas transfections done by using repaired cosmids with ORF4 inserted at a nonnative site yielded virus. To analyze the functional domain of IE4, we introduced a mutation altering the C-terminal amino acids, KYFKC (K443S), which was designed to disrupt the dimerization of IE4 protein. Transfections with these mutant cosmids yielded no virus, indicating that this KYFKC motif was essential for IE4 function.

Interaction between the varicella zoster virus IE62 major transactivator and cellular transcription factor Sp1

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) IE62 protein is involved in the activation of expression of all three kinetic classes of VZV proteins. Analysis of the viral promoter for VZV glycoprotein I has shown that the cellular factor Sp1 is involved in or required for the observed IE62 mediated activation. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that the two proteins are present in a complex in VZV-infected cells. Protein affinity pull-down assays using recombinant proteins showed that IE62 and Sp1 interact in the absence of any other viral and cellular proteins. Mapping studies using GST-fusion proteins containing truncations of IE62 and Sp1 have delimited the interacting regions to amino acids 612-778 in Sp1 and amino acids 226-299 in IE62. The region identified in Sp1 is involved in DNA-binding, synergistic Sp1 activation, and Sp1 interaction with cellular transcription factors. The interacting region identified in IE62 overlaps with or borders on sites involved in interactions with the VZV IE4 protein and the cellular factors TBP and TFIIB. Assays using wild-type and mutant promoter elements indicate that Sp1 is involved in recruitment of IE62 to the gI promoter and IE62 enhances Sp1 and TBP binding.

Development of a multiplex RT-PCR to detect transcription of varicella-zoster virus encoded genes

The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used commonly to analyse transcription of genes. In the field of virology it is an extremely helpful method to analyse the transcriptional activity of both, DNA and RNA viruses. The standard RT-PCR allows an investigation of the activity of only one gene. Here, we describe the development of a sensitive multiplex RT-PCR assay for single tube amplification to analyse a set of different genes encoded by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a member of the human-pathogenous herpesviruses. This multiplex RT-PCR amplifies the genes ORF 4, ORF 21 and ORF 68; each of these three genes belongs to a distinct class of genes, which is expressed one after the other within the infectious cycle. This method provides the possibility for rapid but extensive examination of VZV transcriptional activity and could be used in both fields, fundamental research as well as clinical diagnostic work.

Identification of a lytic-cycle Epstein-Barr virus gene product that can regulate PKR activation

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein is a posttranscriptional regulator of viral gene expression. Like many transactivators encoded by herpesviruses, SM transports predominantly unspliced viral mRNA cargo from the nucleus to the cytosol, where it is subsequently translated. This activity likely involves a region of the protein that has homology to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP27 gene product, the first member of this class of regulators to be discovered. However, SM also contains a repetitive segment rich in arginine and proline residues that is dispensable for its effects on RNA transport and splicing. This portion of SM, comprised of RXP triplet repeats, shows homology to the carboxyl-terminal domain of Us11, a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein encoded by HSV-1 that inhibits activation of the cellular PKR kinase. To evaluate the intrinsic ability of SM to regulate PKR, we expressed and purified several SM protein derivatives and examined their activity in a variety of biochemical assays. The full-length SM protein bound dsRNA, associated physically with PKR, and prevented PKR activation. Removal of the 37-residue RXP domain significantly compromised all of these activities. Furthermore, the SM RXP domain was itself sufficient to inhibit PKR activation and interact with the kinase. Relative to its Us11 counterpart, the SM RXP segment bound dsRNA with reduced affinity and responded differently to single-stranded competitor polynucleotides. Thus, SM represents the first EBV gene product expressed during the lytic cycle that can prevent PKR activation. In addition, the RXP repeat segment appears to be a conserved herpesvirus motif capable of associating with dsRNA and modulating activation of the PKR kinase, a molecule important for the control of translation and the cellular antiviral response.

The Epstein-Barr virus SM protein is functionally similar to ICP27 from herpes simplex virus in viral infections

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP27 protein is an essential RNA-binding protein that shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm to increase the cytoplasmic accumulation of viral late mRNAs. ICP27 homologs have been identified in each of the herpesvirus subfamilies, and accumulating evidence indicates that homologs from the gammaherpesvirus subfamily function similarly to ICP27. In particular, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein posttranscriptionally regulates gene expression, binds RNA in vitro and in vivo, and shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm. To determine if these two proteins function through a common mechanism, the ability of EBV SM to complement the growth defect of an HSV-1 ICP27-null virus was examined in a transient-expression assay. ICP27 stimulated the growth of the null mutant more efficiently than did SM, but the ability of SM to compensate for the ICP27 defects suggests conservation of common functions. To assay for complementation in the context of a viral infection, the growth properties of an HSV recombinant expressing SM in an ICP27-null background were analyzed. SM stimulated growth of the recombinant, although this growth was reduced by comparison to that of an ICP27-expressing virus. By contrast, an HSV recombinant expressing an SM mutant allele defective for transactivation activity and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling did not grow at all. These results suggest that SM and ICP27 may regulate gene expression through a common pathway that is evolutionarily conserved in herpesviruses.

The role of varicella zoster virus immediate-early proteins in latency and their potential use as components of vaccines

Varicella zoster virus immediate-early (IE) proteins are intracellular regulators of viral gene expression. Some of them (IE62 and IE63) are found in large amounts in infected cells but are also components of the virion tegument. Several IE and early genes are transcribed during latency, while late genes are not. Recently, we demonstrated the presence of protein IE 63 in dorsal root ganglia of persistently infected rats as well as in normal human ganglia; other IE proteins have been found since in human ganglia. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to IE 62 has been evidenced. We found both humoral immunity and CMI to IE 63 in immune adults. In elderly zoster-free individuals, CMI to IE 63 remained high. The differences in the CMI to IE 63 among young adults, elderly people and immunocompromized patients have to be analyzed according to their status relative to zoster, to determine whether the decrease in CMI, particularly to IE proteins, could be responsible for viral reactivation and for the onset of shingles. Hopefully, the waning of the CMI to VZV IE 63 and perhaps to other IE proteins could become a predictive marker for herpes zoster and reimmunization, not only with the vaccine strain, but also with purified IE proteins could help prevent zoster at old age.

Gene activation by Varicella-zoster virus IE4 protein requires its dimerization and involves both the arginine-rich sequence, the central part, and the carboxyl-terminal cysteine-rich region

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 4-encoded protein (IE4) possesses transactivating properties for VZV genes as well as for those of heterologous viruses. Since most transcription factors act as dimers, IE4 dimerization was studied using the mammalian two-hybrid system. Introduction of mutations in the IE4 open reading frame demonstrated that both the central region and the carboxyl-terminal cysteine-rich domain were important for efficient dimerization. Within the carboxyl-terminal domain, substitution of amino acids encompassing residues 443-447 totally abolished dimerization. Gene activation by IE4 was studied by transient transfection with an IE4 expression plasmid and a reporter gene under the control of either the human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, long terminal repeat or the VZV thymidine kinase promoter. Regions of IE4 important for dimerization were also shown to be crucial for transactivation. In addition, the arginine-rich domains Rb and Rc of the amino-terminal region were also demonstrated to be important for transactivation, whereas the Ra domain as well as an acidic and bZIP-containing regions were shown to be dispensable for gene transactivation. A nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of IE4 has also been characterized, involving a nuclear localization signal identified within the Rb domain and a nuclear export mechanism partially depending on Crm-1.

Transcription factor Sp1 is involved in the regulation of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E

Varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (ORF 68) belongs to the group of late genes. It is a major component of the virion envelope and can be found complexed with glycoprotein I on the infected host cell surface. Glycoprotein E (gE) expression is activated by IE4 and IE62. Also, cellular transcription factors, like Sp1, are able to influence the gE expression. Performing quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we found no decrease in Sp1 mRNA levels at different times post-infection, indicating that Sp1 mRNA evade virion host shutoff effects. In addition, the Sp1 protein was detectable in highly infected cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays have shown a binding of Sp1 to both GC elements within the gE-5'untranslated region (5'UTR). Additional shift assays have notified a binding of TATA box binding protein to the TATA box of the gE promoter, which is characterized by an untypical TATACA motif. Promoter-reporter constructs have been made using mutated variants of the gE-5'UTR as promoters. In transfection studies, we found that the TATA deletion, as well as inactivations of both GC boxes, reduced the basal activity of the promoter. A complete loss of activity did not become measurable until eliminating both GC elements and the TATA box, indicating that these cis-elements substitute for each other in initiation of transcription of the gE-5'UTR.

Identification and analysis of the K5 gene of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), belongs to the gammaherpesvirus subfamily and encodes approximately 80 open reading frames (ORFs). Among them are a few candidates for immediate-early genes (e.g., K5). We developed a monoclonal antibody (MAb), 328C7, against the K5 antigen. This MAb reacted with the K5 gene product by immunoscreening of a cDNA library from BCBL-1 cells, and this result was confirmed by transfection of the K5 ORF into Cos-7 cells. After induction of lytic infection by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, MAb 328C7 reacted with an antigen in the cytoplasm of BCBL-1 and BC-3 cells as early as after 4 h of induction. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the K5 antigen was situated mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum but was not present on the virion or in the nucleus. Northern blotting with a K5-specific probe revealed a single transcript of 1.2 kb, while Western blotting showed the antigen to be a 36-kDa polypeptide. The 5' and 3' ends were then determined by rapid amplification of cDNA, followed by sequencing of RACE products, and a splice was revealed upstream of the K5 ORF. K5 expression was unaffected by the respective DNA and protein synthesis inhibitors phosphonoformic acid and cycloheximide plus actinomycin D, confirming its immediate-early nature. Transient-transfection assays showed that the K5 promoter was transactivated by ORF 50 (KSHV Rta), a homolog of Epstein-Barr virus Rta, but the K5 gene product exhibited no transregulation of its own promoter or those of DNA polymerase and the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat. This is the first such analysis of an immediate-early gene product; determination of its specific biological function requires further investigation.

The human herpesvirus-8 ORF 57 gene and its properties

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is a gamma(2) lymphotropic herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a major neoplasm of AIDS patients, and with other AIDS-related neoplasms. The HHV-8 ORF 57 gene is conserved throughout the herpesvirus family and has a herpes simplex virus type 1 homologue, IE63 (also termed ICP27), which is an essential regulatory protein and acts at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. We show that, contrary to the published HHV-8 sequence, which predicts a protein of 275 amino acids, the ORF 57 gene is spliced, contains a single intron and encodes a protein of 455 amino acids. For several gammaherpesviruses examined, the upstream coding exon is 16-17 amino acids in length and is rich in methionine residues. When ORF 57 was fused to the gene for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), the fusion protein exhibited a punctate nuclear distribution that co-localized with the cellular splicing factor SC-35. Unlike the IE63-EGFP fusion protein, ORF 57-EGFP did not shuttle from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in the presence of actinomycin D. However, ORF 57-EGFP was capable of shuttling from a transfected monkey nucleus to a recipient mouse nucleus in an interspecies heterokaryon assay. These data indicate that HHV-8 ORF 57 and IE63 possess certain common properties.

Influence of different cellular transcription factors on the regulation of varicella-zoster virus glycoproteins E (gE) and I (gI) UTR's activity

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoproteins E (ORF 68) and I (ORF 67) are members of late genes. They belong to the major components of the virion envelope and can be found on the host cell surface as well. To get further insights in the regulation of gE and gI expression, which are known to be activated by IE4 and IE62, we analysed the intergenic regions of ORF 66/67 and ORF 67/68, containing the putative promoters of gI and gE. We have mapped the transcriptional start site of gE and have identified an extensive set of eucaryotic cis-elements: typical TATA- and CAAT-motifs and further regulatory sequences to facilitate interaction with eucaryotic transcription factors. Reporter constructs have been made using the intergenic regions of ORF 66/67 and ORF 67/68 as promoter elements. In cis-trans interaction studies, an influence on the regulation of transcription and reporter gene expression of overexpressed transfactors, LAP/LIP, Sp1, YY1 and NF-E2 has become measurable. In addition, protein-DNA binding assays using both gE- and gI-intergenic regions and cellular extracts from different VZV-permissive cells have suggested a binding of a 32 and 18 kD protein. In conclusion, these data indicate an involvement of common cellular transcription factors in the regulation of VZV late gene expression.

Human cytomegalovirus UL69 protein induces cells to accumulate in G1 phase of the cell cycle

Earlier studies have revealed that human cytomegalovirus rapidly inhibits the growth of fibroblasts, blocking cell cycle progression at multiple points, including the G1-to-S-phase transition. The present study demonstrates that the UL69 protein, a virus-encoded constituent of the virion, is able to arrest cell cycle progression when introduced into uninfected cells. Expression of the UL69 protein causes U2 OS cells and primary human fibroblasts to accumulate within the G1 compartment of the cell cycle, and serum fails to induce the progression of quiescent human fibroblasts into the S phase when the protein is present. Therefore, the UL69 protein is at least partially responsible for the cell cycle block that is instituted after infection of permissive cells with human cytomegalovirus.

Mta has properties of an RNA export protein and increases cytoplasmic accumulation of Epstein-Barr virus replication gene mRNA

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Zta and Mta regulatory proteins were previously found to be required for efficient replication of oriLyt in cotransfection-replication assays, but the contribution of Mta to the replication process was unknown. We now demonstrate that Mta regulates replication gene expression. Using the polymerase processivity factor BMRF1 as an example, we found that in transfected cells, total BMRF1 mRNA levels were unaffected by Mta but that the amounts of cytoplasmic BMRF1 RNA and protein were greatly increased in the presence of Mta. Mta also increased cytoplasmic accumulation of the BALF2, BALF5, BSLF1, and BBLF4 replication gene mRNAs but did not affect cytoplasmic levels of BBLF2/3 mRNA. Thus, five of the six core replication genes require Mta for efficient accumulation of cytoplasmic RNA. The contribution of Mta to posttranscriptional RNA processing was examined. Examination of Mta localization in transfected cells by indirect immunofluorescence revealed that Mta colocalized with the splicing factor SC35. We also found that Mta has RNA binding activity. Glutathione S-transferase-Mta bound to BMRF1 and BMLF1 transcripts but not to a control cellular gene RNA. Mta contains a consensus leucine-rich nuclear export signal. Such signal sequences are characteristic of proteins that undergo nuclear export. Examination of Mta localization in a heterokaryon assay provided evidence that Mta shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Our experiments indicate that Mta functions in RNA processing and transport and mediates cytoplasmic accumulation of a number of EBV early mRNAs.

Aberrant intracellular localization of Varicella-Zoster virus regulatory proteins during latency

Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a herpesvirus that becomes latent in sensory neurons after primary infection (chickenpox) and subsequently may reactivate to cause zoster. The mechanism by which this virus maintains latency, and the factors involved, are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate, by immunohistochemical analysis of ganglia obtained at autopsy from seropositive patients without clinical symptoms of VZV infection that viral regulatory proteins are present in latently infected neurons. These proteins, which localize to the nucleus of cells during lytic infection, predominantly are detected in the cytoplasm of latently infected neurons. The restriction of regulatory proteins from the nucleus of latently infected neurons might interrupt the cascade of virus gene expression that leads to a productive infection. Our findings raise the possibility that VZV has developed a novel mechanism for maintenance of latency that contrasts with the transcriptional repression that is associated with latency of herpes simplex virus, the prototypic alpha herpesvirus.

Activation of the human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat by varicella-zoster virus IE4 protein requires nuclear factor-kappaB and involves both the amino-terminal and the carboxyl-terminal cysteine-rich region

Varicella-zoster virus open reading frame 4-encoded protein (IE4) possesses transactivating properties for varicella-zoster virus genes as well as for those of heterologous viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Mechanisms of HIV-1 LTR (long terminal repeat) transactivation were investigated in HeLa cells transiently transfected with an IE4 expression plasmid and a CAT reporter gene under the control of the HIV-1 LTR. These results demonstrated that IE4-mediated transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR in HeLa cells required transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Using the gel retardation assay, it was shown that transfection of the IE4 expression vector in HeLa cells was not associated with induction of NF-kappaB under the p50.p65 heterodimeric form and that no direct binding of IE4 to the kappaB sites could be detected. Both Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses suggested that the ability of IE4 to activate transcription through kappaB motives was not connected with its capacity to override the inhibitory activities of IkappaB-alpha or p105. Finally, in vitro protein-protein interactions involving IE4 and basal transcription factors such as TATA-binding protein and transcription factor IIB were carried out. A direct interaction between IE4 and TATA-binding protein or transcription factor IIB components of the basal complex of transcription was evidenced, as well as binding to the p50 and p65 NF-kappaB subunits. Mutagenesis analysis of IE4 indicated that the COOH-terminal cysteine-rich and arginine-rich regions (residues 82-182) were critical for transactivation, whereas the first 81 amino acids appeared dispensable. Moreover, the arginine-rich region is required for the in vitro binding activity, whereas the COOH-terminal end did not appear essential.