TORC2, a coactivator of cAMP-response element-binding protein, promotes Epstein-Barr virus reactivation from latency through interaction with viral BZLF1 protein

J Biol Chem. 2009 Mar 20;284(12):8033-41. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M808466200. Epub 2009 Jan 21.

Abstract

Reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus from latency is dependent on expression of the viral BZLF1 protein. The BZLF1 promoter (Zp) normally exhibits only low basal activity but is activated in response to chemical inducers such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and calcium ionophore. We found here that Transducer of Regulated cAMP-response Element-binding Protein (CREB) (TORC) 2 enhances Zp activity 10-fold and more than 100-fold with co-expression of the BZLF1 protein. Mutational analysis of Zp revealed that the activation by TORC is dependent on ZII and ZIII cis elements, binding sites for CREB family transcriptional factors and the BZLF1 protein, respectively. Immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and reporter assay using Gal4-luc and Gal4BD-BZLF1 fusion protein indicate that TORC2 interacts with BZLF1, and that the complex is efficiently recruited onto Zp. These observations clearly indicate that TORC2 activates the promoter through interaction with the BZLF1 protein as well as CREB family transcriptional factors. Induction of the lytic replication resulted in the translocation of TORC2 from cytoplasm to viral replication compartments in nuclei, and furthermore, activation of Zp by TORC2 was augmented by calcium-regulated phosphatase, calcineurin. Silencing of endogenous TORC2 gene expression by RNA interference decreased the levels of the BZLF1 protein in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate/ionophore. Based on these results, we conclude that Epstein-Barr virus exploits the calcineurin-TORC signaling pathway through interactions between TORC and the BZLF1 protein in reactivation from latency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogens / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / physiology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Response Elements / physiology*
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Virus Activation / drug effects
  • Virus Activation / physiology*
  • Virus Latency / drug effects
  • Virus Latency / physiology*

Substances

  • BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • CREB1 protein, human
  • CRTC2 protein, human
  • Carcinogens
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate