Ubiquitination of HTLV-I Tax in response to DNA damage regulates nuclear complex formation and nuclear export

PCBP1 interacts with the HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein to potentiate NF-κB activation

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. The HTLV-1 Tax constitutively activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to promote the survival and transformation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Despite extensive study of Tax, how Tax interacts with host factors to regulate NF-κB activation and HTLV-1-driven cell proliferation is not entirely clear. Here, we showed that overexpression of Poly (rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) promoted Tax-mediated IκB kinase (IKK)-NF-κB signaling activation, whereas knockdown of PCBP1 attenuated Tax-dependent IKK-NF-κB activation. However, Tax activation of HTLV-1 long terminal repeat was unaffected by PCBP1. Furthermore, depletion of PCBP1 led to apoptosis and reduced proliferation of HTLV-1-transformed cells. Mechanistically, PCBP1 interacted and co-localized with Tax in the cytoplasm, and PCBP1 KH3 domain was indispensable for the interaction between PCBP1 and Tax. Moreover, PCBP1 facilitated the assembly of Tax/IKK complex. Collectively, our results demonstrated that PCBP1 may exert an essential effect in Tax/IKK complex combination and subsequent NF-κB activation, which provides a novel insight into the pathogenetic mechanisms of HTLV-1.

Mechanisms of Innate Immune Sensing of HTLV-1 and Viral Immune Evasion

Human T lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) was the first identified oncoretrovirus, which infects and establishes a persistent infection in approximately 10-20 million people worldwide. Although only ~5% of infected individuals develop pathologies such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) or a neuroinflammatory disorder termed HTLV-1-asssociated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), asymptomatic carriers are more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Furthermore, ATLL patients are severely immunosuppressed and prone to other malignancies and other infections. The HTLV-1 replication cycle provides ligands, mainly nucleic acids (RNA, RNA/DNA intermediates, ssDNA intermediates, and dsDNA), that are sensed by different pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to trigger immune responses. However, the mechanisms of innate immune detection and immune responses to HTLV-1 infection are not well understood. In this review, we highlight the functional roles of different immune sensors in recognizing HTLV-1 infection in multiple cell types and the antiviral roles of host restriction factors in limiting persistent infection of HTLV-1. We also provide a comprehensive overview of intricate strategies employed by HTLV-1 to subvert the host innate immune response that may contribute to the development of HTLV-1-associated diseases. A more detailed understanding of HTLV-1-host pathogen interactions may inform novel strategies for HTLV-1 antivirals, vaccines, and treatments for ATLL or HAM/TSP.

Ubiquitin-Modified Proteome of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Host Cells Reveals Insights into Virus-Host Interaction and Pathogenesis

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has posed a serious threat to global public health. The mechanism of pathogenesis and the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection are largely unknown. In the present study, we applied a quantitative proteomic technology to identify and quantify the ubiquitination changes that occur in both the virus and the Vero E6 cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection. By applying label-free, quantitative liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry proteomics, 8943 lysine ubiquitination sites on 3086 proteins were identified, of which 138 sites on 104 proteins were quantified as significantly upregulated, while 828 sites on 447 proteins were downregulated at 72 h post-infection. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate host immune responses through the ubiquitination of important proteins, including USP5, IQGAP1, TRIM28, and Hsp90. Ubiquitination modification was also observed on 11 SAR-CoV-2 proteins, including proteins involved in virus replication and inhibition of the host innate immune response. Our study provides new insights into the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the host as well as potential targets for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by HTLV-1 Tax

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a neoplasm of CD4+CD25+ T cells that occurs in 2-5% of infected individuals after decades of asymptomatic latent infection. Multiple HTLV-1-encoded regulatory proteins, including Tax and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ), play key roles in viral persistence and latency. The HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein interacts with a plethora of host cellular proteins to regulate viral gene expression and also promote the aberrant activation of signaling pathways such as NF-κB to drive clonal proliferation and survival of T cells bearing the HTLV-1 provirus. Tax undergoes various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination that regulate its function and subcellular localization. Tax shuttles in different subcellular compartments for the activation of anti-apoptotic genes and deregulates the cell cycle with the induction of DNA damage for the accumulation of genomic instability that can result in cellular immortalization and malignant transformation. However, Tax is highly immunogenic and therefore HTLV-1 has evolved numerous strategies to tightly regulate Tax expression while maintaining the pool of anti-apoptotic genes through HBZ. In this review, we summarize the key findings on the oncogenic mechanisms used by Tax that set the stage for the development of ATLL, and the strategies used by HTLV-1 to tightly regulate Tax expression for immune evasion and viral persistence.

NF-κB signaling mechanisms in HTLV-1-induced adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a complex deltaretrovirus linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a fatal CD4 +  malignancy in 3-5% of infected individuals. The HTLV-1 Tax regulatory protein plays indispensable roles in regulating viral gene expression and activating cellular signaling pathways that drive the proliferation and clonal expansion of T cells bearing HTLV-1 proviral integrations. Tax is a potent activator of NF-κB, a key signaling pathway that is essential for the survival and proliferation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. However, constitutive NF-κB activation by Tax also triggers a senescence response, suggesting the possibility that only T cells capable of overcoming NF-κB-induced senescence can selectively undergo clonal expansion after HTLV-1 infection. Tax expression is often silenced in the majority of ATLL due to genetic alterations in the tax gene or DNA hypermethylation of the 5'-LTR. Despite the loss of Tax, NF-κB activation remains persistently activated in ATLL due to somatic mutations in genes in the T/B-cell receptor (T/BCR) and NF-κB signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the key events driving Tax-dependent and -independent mechanisms of NF-κB activation during the multistep process leading to ATLL.

The Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Transactivator CIITA Inhibits the Persistent Activation of NF-κB by the Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Tax-1 Oncoprotein

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax-1, a key protein in HTLV-1-induced T cell transformation, deregulates diverse cell signaling pathways. Among them, the NF-κB pathway is constitutively activated by Tax-1, which binds to NF-κB proteins and activates the IκB kinase (IKK). Upon phosphorylation-dependent IκB degradation, NF-κB migrates into the nucleus, mediating Tax-1-stimulated gene expression. We show that the transcriptional regulator of major histocompatibility complex class II genes CIITA (class II transactivator), endogenously or ectopically expressed in different cells, inhibits the activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway by Tax-1 and map the region that mediates this effect. CIITA affects the subcellular localization of Tax-1, which is mostly retained in the cytoplasm, and this correlates with impaired migration of RelA into the nucleus. Cytoplasmic and nuclear mutant forms of CIITA reveal that CIITA exploits different strategies to suppress Tax-1-mediated NF-κB activation in both subcellular compartments. CIITA interacts with Tax-1 without preventing Tax-1 binding to both IKKγ and RelA. Nevertheless, CIITA affects Tax-1-induced IKK activity, causing retention of the inactive p50/RelA/IκB complex in the cytoplasm. Nuclear CIITA associates with Tax-1/RelA in nuclear bodies, blocking Tax-1-dependent activation of NF-κB-responsive genes. Thus, CIITA inhibits cytoplasmic and nuclear steps of Tax-1-mediated NF-κB activation. These results, together with our previous finding that CIITA acts as a restriction factor inhibiting Tax-1-promoted HTLV-1 gene expression and replication, indicate that CIITA is a versatile molecule that might also counteract Tax-1 transforming activity. Unveiling the molecular basis of CIITA-mediated inhibition of Tax-1 functions may be important in defining new strategies to control HTLV-1 spreading and oncogenic potential.

IMPORTANCE

HTLV-1 is the causative agent of human adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL). The viral transactivator Tax-1 plays a central role in the onset of ATLL, mostly by deregulating the NF-κB pathway. We demonstrate that CIITA, a key regulator of adaptive immunity, suppresses Tax-1-dependent activation of NF-κB by acting at several levels: it retains most of Tax-1 and RelA in the cytoplasm and inhibits their residual functional activity in the nucleus. Importantly, this inhibition occurs in cells that are targets of HTLV-1 infection. These findings are of interest in the field of virology because they expand the current knowledge of the functional relationship between viral products and cellular interactors and provide the basis for a better understanding of the molecular countermeasures adopted by the host cell to antagonize HTLV-1 spreading and transforming properties. Within this framework, our results may contribute to the establishment of novel strategies against HTLV-1 infection and virus-dependent oncogenic transformation.

Regulation of HTLV-1 tax stability, cellular trafficking and NF-κB activation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a complex retrovirus that infects CD4+ T cells and causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in 3%–5% of infected individuals after a long latent period. HTLV-1 Tax is a trans-activating protein that regulates viral gene expression and also modulates cellular signaling pathways to enhance T-cell proliferation and cell survival. The Tax oncoprotein promotes T-cell transformation, in part via constitutive activation of the NF-κB transcription factor; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Ubiquitination is a type of post-translational modification that occurs in a three-step enzymatic cascade mediated by E1, E2 and E3 enzymes and regulates protein stability as well as signal transduction, protein trafficking and the DNA damage response. Emerging studies indicate that Tax hijacks the ubiquitin machinery to activate ubiquitin-dependent kinases and downstream NF-κB signaling. Tax interacts with the E2 conjugating enzyme Ubc13 and is conjugated on C-terminal lysine residues with lysine 63-linked polyubiquitin chains. Tax K63-linked polyubiquitination may serve as a platform for signaling complexes since this modification is critical for interactions with NEMO and IKK. In addition to NF-κB signaling, mono- and polyubiquitination of Tax also regulate its subcellular trafficking and stability. Here, we review recent advances in the diverse roles of ubiquitin in Tax function and how Tax usurps the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to promote oncogenesis.

The MHC-II transactivator CIITA, a restriction factor against oncogenic HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 retroviruses: similarities and differences in the inhibition of Tax-1 and Tax-2 viral transactivators

The activation of CD4(+) T helper cells is strictly dependent on the presentation of antigenic peptides by MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules. MHC-II expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by the AIR-1 gene product CIITA (class II transactivator). Thus, CIITA plays a pivotal role in the triggering of the adaptive immune response against pathogens. Besides this well known function, we recently found that CIITA acts as an endogenous restriction factor against HTLV-1 (human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1) and HTLV-2 oncogenic retroviruses by targeting their viral transactivators Tax-1 and Tax-2, respectively. Here we review our findings on CIITA-mediated inhibition of viral replication and discuss similarities and differences in the molecular mechanisms by which CIITA specifically counteracts the function of Tax-1 and Tax-2 molecules. The dual function of CIITA as a key regulator of adaptive and intrinsic immunity represents a rather unique example of adaptation of host-derived factors against pathogen infections during evolution.

The four and a half LIM family members are novel interactants of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax oncoprotein

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). The viral regulatory protein Tax1 plays a pivotal role in T-cell transformation and ATL development. Previous studies in our laboratory, using the yeast 2-hybrid approach to screen a T-cell library for Tax1-interacting partners, identified the cellular Four and a Half Lim domain protein 3 (FHL3) as a possible Tax1-interacting candidate. FHL3 is a member of the FHL family of proteins, which function as transcriptional coactivators and cytoskeleton regulators and have a role in cancer progression and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and functional interaction between Tax1 and members of the FHL family of proteins. We show that Tax1 and FHL3 interact both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, both FHL1 and -2 also interact with Tax1. We have demonstrated that FHL3 enhances Tax1-mediated activation of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) without affecting basal activity and that FHL1 to -3 regulate NF-κB activation by Tax1 in a cell-specific manner. In addition, we have found that the interaction between Tax1 and FHL1 to -3 affects the localization of these proteins, leading to their redistribution in cells. Tax1 also affected FHL3 cytoskeleton function by increasing FHL3-mediated cell spreading. Overall, our results suggest that the interaction between Tax1 and the FHL family alters both the transactivating activity and the subcellular localization of Tax1 and provide new insights into molecular mechanisms that underlie the oncogenic nature of this HTLV-1 protein.

Wip1 and p53 contribute to HTLV-1 Tax-induced tumorigenesis

Background

Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infects 20 million individuals world-wide and causes Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL), a highly aggressive T-cell cancer. ATLL is refractory to treatment with conventional chemotherapy and fewer than 10% of afflicted individuals survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. HTLV-1 encodes a viral oncoprotein, Tax, that functions in transforming virus-infected T-cells into leukemic cells. All ATLL cases are believed to have reduced p53 activity although only a minority of ATLLs have genetic mutations in their p53 gene. It has been suggested that p53 function is inactivated by the Tax protein.

Results

Using genetically altered mice, we report here that Tax expression does not achieve a functional equivalence of p53 inactivation as that seen with genetic mutation of p53 (i.e. a p53^−/− genotype). Thus, we find statistically significant differences in tumorigenesis between Tax⁺p53^+/+versus Tax⁺p53^−/− mice. We also find a role contributed by the cellular Wip1 phosphatase protein in tumor formation in Tax transgenic mice. Notably, Tax⁺Wip1^−/− mice show statistically significant reduced prevalence of tumorigenesis compared to Tax⁺Wip1^+/+ counterparts.

Conclusions

Our findings provide new insights into contributions by p53 and Wip1 in the in vivo oncogenesis of Tax-induced tumors in mice.

HTLV tax: a fascinating multifunctional co-regulator of viral and cellular pathways

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has been identified as the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The virus infects between 15 and 20 million people worldwide of which approximately 2-5% develop ATL. The past 35 years of research have yielded significant insight into the pathogenesis of HTLV-1, including the molecular characterization of Tax, the viral transactivator, and oncoprotein. In spite of these efforts, the mechanisms of oncogenesis of this pleiotropic protein remain to be fully elucidated. In this review, we illustrate the multiple oncogenic roles of Tax by summarizing a recent body of literature that refines our understanding of cellular transformation. A focused range of topics are discussed in this review including Tax-mediated regulation of the viral promoter and other cellular pathways, particularly the connection of the NF-κB pathway to both post-translational modifications (PTMs) of Tax and subcellular localization. Specifically, recent research on polyubiquitination of Tax as it relates to the activation of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex is highlighted. Regulation of the cell cycle and DNA damage responses due to Tax are also discussed, including Tax interaction with minichromosome maintenance proteins and the role of Tax in chromatin remodeling. The recent identification of HTLV-3 has amplified the importance of the characterization of emerging viral pathogens. The challenge of the molecular determination of pathogenicity and malignant disease of this virus lies in the comparison of the viral transactivators of HTLV-1, -2, and -3 in terms of transformation and immortalization. Consequently, differences between the three proteins are currently being studied to determine what factors are required for the differences in tumorogenesis.

Human T cell leukemia virus type 2 tax-mediated NF-κB activation involves a mechanism independent of Tax conjugation to ubiquitin and SUMO

Permanent activation of the NF-κB pathway by the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax (Tax1) viral transactivator is a key event in the process of HTLV-1-induced T lymphocyte immortalization and leukemogenesis. Although encoding a Tax transactivator (Tax2) that activates the canonical NF-κB pathway, HTLV-2 does not cause leukemia. These distinct pathological outcomes might be related, at least in part, to distinct NF-κB activation mechanisms. Tax1 has been shown to be both ubiquitinated and SUMOylated, and these two modifications were originally proposed to be required for Tax1-mediated NF-κB activation. Tax1 ubiquitination allows recruitment of the IKK-γ/NEMO regulatory subunit of the IKK complex together with Tax1 into centrosome/Golgi-associated cytoplasmic structures, followed by activation of the IKK complex and RelA/p65 nuclear translocation. Herein, we compared the ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and acetylation patterns of Tax2 and Tax1. We show that, in contrast to Tax1, Tax2 conjugation to endogenous ubiquitin and SUMO is barely detectable while both proteins are acetylated. Importantly, Tax2 is neither polyubiquitinated on lysine residues nor ubiquitinated on its N-terminal residue. Consistent with these observations, Tax2 conjugation to ubiquitin and Tax2-mediated NF-κB activation is not affected by overexpression of the E2 conjugating enzyme Ubc13. We further demonstrate that a nonubiquitinable, non-SUMOylable, and nonacetylable Tax2 mutant retains a significant ability to activate transcription from a NF-κB-dependent promoter after partial activation of the IKK complex and induction of RelA/p65 nuclear translocation. Finally, we also show that Tax2 does not interact with TRAF6, a protein that was shown to positively regulate Tax1-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway.

Low nuclear body formation and tax SUMOylation do not prevent NF-kappaB promoter activation

Background

The Tax protein encoded by Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a powerful activator of the NF-κB pathway, a property critical for HTLV-1-induced immortalization of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Tax permanently stimulates this pathway at a cytoplasmic level by activating the IκB kinase (IKK) complex and at a nuclear level by enhancing the binding of the NF-κB factor RelA to its cognate promoters and by forming nuclear bodies, believed to represent transcriptionally active structures. In previous studies, we reported that Tax ubiquitination and SUMOylation play a critical role in Tax localization and NF-κB activation. Indeed, analysis of lysine Tax mutants fused or not to ubiquitin or SUMO led us to propose a two-step model in which Tax ubiquitination first intervenes to activate IKK while Tax SUMOylation is subsequently required for promoter activation within Tax nuclear bodies. However, recent studies showing that ubiquitin or SUMO can modulate Tax activities in either the nucleus or the cytoplasm and that SUMOylated Tax can serve as substrate for ubiquitination suggested that Tax ubiquitination and SUMOylation may mediate redundant rather than successive functions.

Results

In this study, we analyzed the properties of a new Tax mutant that is properly ubiquitinated, but defective for both nuclear body formation and SUMOylation. We report that reducing Tax SUMOylation and nuclear body formation do not alter the ability of Tax to activate IKK, induce RelA nuclear translocation, and trigger gene expression from a NF-κB promoter. Importantly, potent NF-κB promoter activation by Tax despite low SUMOylation and nuclear body formation is also observed in T cells, including CD4⁺ primary T lymphocytes. Moreover, we show that Tax nuclear bodies are hardly observed in HTLV-1-infected T cells. Finally, we provide direct evidence that the degree of NF-κB activation by Tax correlates with the level of Tax ubiquitination, but not SUMOylation.

Conclusions

These data reveal that the formation of Tax nuclear bodies, previously associated to transcriptional activities in Tax-transfected cells, is dispensable for NF-κB promoter activation, notably in CD4⁺ T cells. They also provide the first evidence that Tax SUMOylation is not a key determinant for Tax-induced NF-κB activation.

Human T-lymphotropic virus proteins and post-translational modification pathways

Cell life from the cell cycle to the signaling transduction and response to stimuli is finely tuned by protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). PTMs alter the conformation, the stability, the localization, and hence the pattern of interactions of the targeted protein. Cell pathways involve the activation of enzymes, like kinases, ligases and transferases, that, once activated, act on many proteins simultaneously, altering the state of the cell and triggering the processes they are involved in. Viruses enter a balanced system and hijack the cell, exploiting the potential of PTMs either to activate viral encoded proteins or to alter cellular pathways, with the ultimate consequence to perpetuate through their replication. Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is known to be highly oncogenic and associates with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and other inflammatory pathological conditions. HTLV-1 protein activity is controlled by PTMs and, in turn, viral activity is associated with the modulation of cellular pathways based on PTMs. More knowledge is acquired about the PTMs involved in the activation of its proteins, like Tax, Rex, p12, p13, p30, HTLV-I basic leucine zipper factor and Gag. However, more has to be understood at the biochemical level in order to counteract the associated fatal outcomes. This review will focus on known PTMs that directly modify HTLV-1 components and on enzymes whose activity is modulated by viral proteins.

The multifaceted oncoprotein Tax: subcellular localization, posttranslational modifications, and NF-κB activation

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I-associated myelopathy. Constitutive NF-κB activation by the viral oncoprotein Tax plays a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of cellular proliferation, transformation, and inhibition of apoptosis. In an attempt to provide a general view of the molecular mechanisms of constitutive Tax-induced NF-κB activation, we summarize in this review the recent body of literature that supports a major role for Tax posttranslational modifications, chiefly ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, in the NF-κB activity of Tax. These modifications indeed participate in the control of Tax subcellular localization and modulate its protein-protein interaction potential. Tax posttranslational modifications, which highlight the ability of HTLV-I to optimize its limited viral genome size, might represent an attractive target for the design of new therapies for ATL.

An RNA interference screen identifies the Deubiquitinase STAMBPL1 as a critical regulator of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 tax nuclear export and NF-κB activation

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein actively shuttles between the nucleus, where it interacts with transcriptional and splicing regulatory proteins, and the cytoplasm, where it activates NF-κB. Posttranslational modifications of Tax such as ubiquitination regulate its subcellular localization and hence its function; however, the regulation of Tax trafficking and NF-κB activation by host factors is poorly understood. By screening a deubiquitinating (DUB) enzyme small interfering RNA (siRNA) library, we identified the metalloprotease STAM-binding protein-like 1 (STAMBPL1) as a positive regulator of Tax-mediated NF-κB activation. Overexpression of wild-type STAMBPL1, but not a catalytically inactive mutant, enhanced Tax-mediated NF-κB activation, whereas silencing of STAMBPL1 with siRNA impaired Tax activation of both the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways. STAMBPL1 regulated Tax-induced NF-κB signaling indirectly by controlling Tax nuclear/cytoplasmic transport and was required for DNA damage-induced Tax nuclear export. Together, these results reveal that the deubiquitinase STAMBPL1 is a key regulator of Tax trafficking and function.

Regulation of the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of viral and cellular proteins by ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-related modifiers

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of many cellular proteins is regulated by nuclear import/export signals as well as post-translational modifications such as covalent conjugation of ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-related modifiers (SUMOs). Ubiquitination and SUMOylation are rapid and reversible ways to modulate the intracellular localisation and function of substrate proteins. These pathways have been co-opted by some viruses, which depend on the host cell machinery to transport their proteins in and out of the nucleus. In this review, we will summarise our current knowledge on the ubiquitin/SUMO-regulated nuclear/subnuclear trafficking of cellular proteins and describe examples of viral exploitation of these pathways.

The Sumo-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4 regulates the localization and function of the HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax

The Really Interesting New Gene (RING) Finger Protein 4 (RNF4) represents a class of ubiquitin ligases that target Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)-modified proteins for ubiquitin modification. To date, the regulatory function of RNF4 appears to be ubiquitin-mediated degradation of sumoylated cellular proteins. In the present study, we show that the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) oncoprotein Tax is a substrate for RNF4 both in vivo and in vitro. We mapped the RNF4-binding site to a region adjacent to the Tax ubiquitin/SUMO modification sites K280/K284. Interestingly, RNF4 modification of Tax protein results in relocalization of the oncoprotein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Overexpression of RNF4, but not the RNF4 RING mutant, resulted in cytoplasmic enrichment of Tax. The RNF4-induced nucleus-to-cytoplasm relocalization was associated with increased NF-κB-mediated and decreased cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB)-mediated Tax activity. Finally, depletion of RNF4 by RNAi prevented the DNA damage-induced nuclear/cytoplasmic translocation of Tax. These results provide important new insight into STUbL-mediated pathways that regulate the subcellular localization and functional dynamics of viral oncogenes.

C7a, a biphosphinic cyclopalladated compound, efficiently controls the development of a patient-derived xenograft model of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a highly aggressive disease that occurs in individuals infected with the human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Patients with aggressive ATLL have a poor prognosis because the leukemic cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapy. We have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a biphosphinic cyclopalladated complex {Pd₂ [S₍₋₎C², N-dmpa]₂ (μ-dppe)Cl₂}, termed C7a, in a patient-derived xenograft model of ATLL, and investigated the mechanism of C7a action in HTLV-1-positive and negative transformed T cell lines in vitro. In vivo survival studies in immunocompromised mice inoculated with human RV-ATL cells and intraperitoneally treated with C7a led to significantly increased survival of the treated mice. We investigated the mechanism of C7a activity in vitro and found that it induced mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, caspase activation, nuclear condensation and DNA degradation. These results suggest that C7a triggers apoptotic cell death in both HTLV-1 infected and uninfected human transformed T-cell lines. Significantly, C7a was not cytotoxic to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and HTLV-1-infected individuals. C7a inhibited more than 60% of the ex vivo spontaneous proliferation of PBMC from HTLV-1-infected individuals. These results support a potential therapeutic role for C7a in both ATLL and HTLV-1-negative T-cell lymphomas.

Move or die: the fate of the Tax oncoprotein of HTLV-1

The HTLV-1 Tax protein both activates viral replication and is involved in HTLV-1-mediated transformation of T lymphocytes. The transforming properties of Tax include altering the expression of select cellular genes via activation of cellular pathways and perturbation of both cell cycle control mechanisms and apoptotic signals. The recent discovery that Tax undergoes a hierarchical sequence of posttranslational modifications that control its intracellular localization provides provocative insights into the mechanisms regulating Tax transcriptional and transforming activities.

Intracellular localization and cellular factors interaction of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Tax proteins: similarities and functional differences

Human T-lymphotropic viruses type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) present very similar genomic structures but HTLV-1 is more pathogenic than HTLV-2. Is this difference due to their transactivating Tax proteins, Tax-1 and Tax-2, which are responsible for viral and cellular gene activation? Do Tax-1 and Tax-2 differ in their cellular localization and in their interaction pattern with cellular factors? In this review, we summarize Tax-1 and Tax-2 structural and phenotypic properties, their interaction with factors involved in signal transduction and their localization-related behavior within the cell. Special attention will be given to the distinctions between Tax-1 and Tax-2 that likely play an important role in their transactivation activity.

A CRM1-dependent nuclear export pathway is involved in the regulation of MutLα subcellular localization

MutLα plays an essential role in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and is additionally involved in other cellular mechanisms such as the regulation of cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis. Therefore, not only germline MMR gene defects but also the subcellular localization of MutLα might be of importance for the development of Lynch syndrome. Recently, we showed that MutLα contains functional nuclear import sequences and is most frequently localized in the nucleus. Here, we demonstrate that MutLα can move bidirectionally towards the nuclear membrane. Using MutLα transfected HEK293T cells we observed a significant shift of MLH1 and PMS2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after irradiation or cisplatin treatment. We analyzed both proteins for potential nuclear export sequences (NES) and identified one functional Rev-type NES (⁵⁷⁸LFDLAMLAL) in the C-terminal part of MLH1 that facilitates export via the CRM1/exportin pathway. Moreover, an MLH1-NES mutation detected in a patient with Lynch syndrome showed normal MMR activity but led to significantly impaired cytoplasmic transport after actinomycin D treatment. These results indicate that MutLα is able to shuttle from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, probably signaling DNA damages to downstream pathways. In conclusion, not only a defective MMR but also impaired nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling might result in the onset of Lynch syndrome.

SMYD3 interacts with HTLV-1 Tax and regulates subcellular localization of Tax

HTLV-1 Tax deregulates signal transduction pathways, transcription of genes, and cell cycle regulation of host cells, which is mainly mediated by its protein-protein interactions with host cellular factors. We previously reported an interaction of Tax with a histone methyltransferase (HMTase), SUV39H1. As the interaction was mediated by the SUV39H1 SET domain that is shared among HMTases, we examined the possibility of Tax interaction with another HMTase, SMYD3, which methylates histone H3 lysine 4 and activates transcription of genes, and studied the functional effects. Expression of endogenous SMYD3 in T cell lines and primary T cells was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis. Co-immuno-precipitaion assays and in vitro pull-down assay indicated interaction between Tax and SMYD3. The interaction was largely dependent on the C-terminal 180 amino acids of SMYD3, whereas the interacting domain of Tax was not clearly defined, although the N-terminal 108 amino acids were dispensable for the interaction. In the cotransfected cells, colocalization of Tax and SMYD3 was indicated in the cytoplasm or nuclei. Studies using mutants of Tax and SMYD3 suggested that SMYD3 dominates the subcellular localization of Tax. Reporter gene assays showed that nuclear factor-κB activation promoted by cytoplasmic Tax was enhanced by the presence of SMYD3, and attenuated by shRNA-mediated knockdown of SMYD3, suggesting an increased level of Tax localization in the cytoplasm by SMYD3. Our study revealed for the first time Tax-SMYD3 direct interaction, as well as apparent tethering of Tax by SMYD3, influencing the subcellular localization of Tax. Results suggested that SMYD3-mediated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Tax provides one base for the pleiotropic effects of Tax, which are mediated by the interaction of cellular proteins localized in the cytoplasm or nucleus.

Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1): Molecular Biology and Oncogenesis

Human T lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) are complex deltaretroviruses that do not contain a proto-oncogene in their genome, yet are capable of transforming primary T lymphocytes both in vitro and in vivo. There are four known strains of HTLV including HTLV type 1 (HTLV-1), HTLV-2, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. HTLV-1 is primarily associated with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-2 is rarely pathogenic and is sporadically associated with neurological disorders. There have been no diseases associated with HTLV-3 or HTLV-4 to date. Due to the difference in the disease manifestation between HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, a clear understanding of their individual pathobiologies and the role of various viral proteins in transformation should provide insights into better prognosis and prevention strategies. In this review, we aim to summarize the data accumulated so far in the transformation and pathogenesis of HTLV-1, focusing on the viral Tax and HBZ and citing appropriate comparisons to HTLV-2.

Induction of reactive oxygen species by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 tax correlates with DNA damage and expression of cellular senescence marker

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax affects cellular genomic stability and senescence. As yet, the mechanism(s) for these events caused by Tax is incompletely understood. Here, we show that Tax expression in primary human cells induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which elicits DNA damage and the expression of senescence marker. Treatment with a ROS scavenger or knockdown of Tax expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated Tax-induced DNA damage and the expression of senescence marker. Our data suggest that ROS induction explains Tax-induced cellular DNA damage and cellular senescence.

Distinct functions of HTLV-1 Tax1 from HTLV-2 Tax2 contribute key roles to viral pathogenesis

While the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), to date, its close relative HTLV-2 is not associated with ATL or other types of malignancies. Accumulating evidence shows that HTLV-1 Tax1 and HTLV-2 Tax2 have many shared activities, but the two proteins have a limited number of significantly distinct activities, and these distinctions appear to play key roles in HTLV-1 specific pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the functions of Tax1 associated with cell survival, cell proliferation, persistent infection as well as pathogenesis. We emphasize special attention to distinctions between Tax1 and Tax2.

HTLV gene regulation: because size matters, transcription is not enough

Despite being discovered in animals in the early 20th century, the scientific interest in retroviruses was boosted with the discovery of human retroviruses (human T-leukemia/lymphoma virus [HTLV] and HIV), which are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. HTLV was identified more than 25 years ago as the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It was then shown to be a complex retrovirus, given that it not only encodes the characteristic retroviral Gag, Pol and Env proteins, but also regulatory and accessory proteins. Since the first studies documenting the role of these proteins in viral expression, the picture has become increasingly more complex. Indeed, owing to the limited size of its genome that contains overlapping open-reading frames, HTLV has evolved unique ways to regulate its expression. Retroviral expression was originally thought to be mainly controlled through the regulation of transcription from the 5 long-terminal repeats, but we now know that the 3 long-terminal repeats also serve as promoters. Regulation of splicing and mRNA export, and post-translational modifications of viral protein also play a major role. This review discusses the latest insights gained into the field of HTLV gene expression.

HTLV-1-Tax and ICAM-1 act on T-cell signal pathways to polarize the microtubule-organizing center at the virological synapse

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) spreads directly between lymphocytes and other cells via a specialized cell-cell contact, termed the virological synapse. The formation of the virological synapse is accompanied by the orientation of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in the infected T cell toward the cell contact region with the noninfected target cell. We previously demonstrated that the combination of intracellular Tax protein expression and the stimulation of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the cell surface is sufficient to trigger MTOC polarization in the HTLV-1-infected T cell. However, the mechanism by which Tax and ICAM-1 cause the MTOC polarization is not fully understood. Here we show that the presence of Tax at the MTOC region and its ability to stimulate cyclic AMP-binding protein-dependent pathways are both required for MTOC polarization in the HTLV-1-infected T cell at the virological synapse. Furthermore, we show that the MTOC polarization induced by ICAM-1 engagement depends on activation of the Ras-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that efficient MTOC polarization at the virological synapse requires Tax-mediated stimulation of T-cell activation pathways in synergy with ICAM-1 cross-linking. The results also reveal differences in the signaling pathways used to trigger MTOC polarization between the immunologic synapse and the virological synapse.

Dimerization and a novel Tax speckled structure localization signal are required for Tax nuclear localization

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 oncoprotein Tax has pleiotropic activities, a subset of which likely leads to immortalization of T cells. Tax is expressed and known to function in both the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm. Tax has defined nuclear localization (NLS) and nuclear export signals that enable shuttling between the two compartments. In this study, we identified a novel region in Tax that targets the protein to discrete nuclear foci that we have previously termed Tax speckled structures (TSS). We demonstrated that the identified region is both necessary and sufficient for directing proteins to TSS. This novel TSS localization signal (TSLS), spanning amino acids 50 to 75, is separable from and adjacent to the NLS of Tax. Coexpression of a Tax NLS mutant and a Tax TSLS mutant rescued the nuclear entry and subnuclear TSS targeting of both proteins, demonstrating that these signals are independent domains. Our analysis also revealed that Tax proteins deficient for dimerization fail to localize to the nucleus. Consequently, when we restored dimerization via induction of a heterologous "dimerizer" domain, nuclear localization was rescued. Thus, we defined additional domains in Tax specific for nuclear localization and subnuclear targeting. Our results reveal a more complex network for regulation of Tax subcellular localization and subsequent function.

Physical and in silico approaches identify DNA-PK in a Tax DNA-damage response interactome

Background

We have initiated an effort to exhaustively map interactions between HTLV-1 Tax and host cellular proteins. The resulting Tax interactome will have significant utility toward defining new and understanding known activities of this important viral protein. In addition, the completion of a full Tax interactome will also help shed light upon the functional consequences of these myriad Tax activities. The physical mapping process involved the affinity isolation of Tax complexes followed by sequence identification using tandem mass spectrometry. To date we have mapped 250 cellular components within this interactome. Here we present our approach to prioritizing these interactions via an in silico culling process.

Results

We first constructed an in silico Tax interactome comprised of 46 literature-confirmed protein-protein interactions. This number was then reduced to four Tax-interactions suspected to play a role in DNA damage response (Rad51, TOP1, Chk2, 53BP1). The first-neighbor and second-neighbor interactions of these four proteins were assembled from available human protein interaction databases. Through an analysis of betweenness and closeness centrality measures, and numbers of interactions, we ranked proteins in the first neighborhood. When this rank list was compared to the list of physical Tax-binding proteins, DNA-PK was the highest ranked protein common to both lists. An overlapping clustering of the Tax-specific second-neighborhood protein network showed DNA-PK to be one of three bridge proteins that link multiple clusters in the DNA damage response network.

Conclusion

The interaction of Tax with DNA-PK represents an important biological paradigm as suggested via consensus findings in vivo and in silico. We present this methodology as an approach to discovery and as a means of validating components of a consensus Tax interactome.

The HTLV-1 Tax interactome

The Tax1 oncoprotein encoded by Human T-lymphotropic virus type I is a major determinant of viral persistence and pathogenesis. Tax1 affects a wide variety of cellular signalling pathways leading to transcriptional activation, proliferation and ultimately transformation. To carry out these functions, Tax1 interacts with and modulates activity of a number of cellular proteins. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge of the Tax1 interactome and propose a rationale for the broad range of cellular proteins identified so far.