Stimulation of RNA polymerase II elongation by hepatitis delta antigen

Science. 2001 Jul 6;293(5527):124-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1057925. Epub 2001 May 31.

Abstract

Transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is negatively regulated by the human factors DRB-sensitivity inducing factor (DSIF) and negative elongation factor (NELF). A 66-kilodalton subunit of NELF (NELF-A) shows limited sequence similarity to hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), the viral protein required for replication of hepatitis delta virus (HDV). The host RNAPII has been implicated in HDV replication, but the detailed mechanism and the role of HDAg in this process are not understood. We show that HDAg binds RNAPII directly and stimulates transcription by displacing NELF and promoting RNAPII elongation. These results suggest that HDAg may regulate RNAPII elongation during both cellular messenger RNA synthesis and HDV RNA replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Consensus Sequence / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hepatitis Antigens / chemistry
  • Hepatitis Antigens / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus* / chemistry
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus* / genetics
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus* / metabolism
  • Hepatitis delta Antigens
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
  • RNA, Viral / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Templates, Genetic
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antigens
  • Hepatitis delta Antigens
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA, Viral
  • Transcription Factors
  • hepatitis delta virus large antigen
  • negative elongation factor
  • RNA Polymerase II