The transactivating effect of HSV-1 ICP0 is enhanced by its interaction with the PCAF component of histone acetyltransferase

Arch Virol. 2009;154(11):1755-64. doi: 10.1007/s00705-009-0516-4. Epub 2009 Oct 7.

Abstract

ICP0 is a multifunctional protein that plays diverse roles in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. It can promote the lytic replication of HSV-1 and activate a variety of viral or cellular genes when introduced into cells by transfection or infection. However, the exact mechanism of ICP0 action is not fully understood. In the present study, we observed the co-localization of ICP0 and PCAF (P300/CBP-associated factor), a component of histone acetyltransferase (HAT), in the ND10 (nuclear dot 10) nuclear body. We further confirmed the interaction between ICP0 and PCAF via yeast two-hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation, and histone acetyltransferase assays. Analysis of the functional significance of this interaction suggested that PCAF improved the ability of ICP0 to activate transcription of viral genes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we observed ICP0-enhanced histone acetylation levels in both viral and cellular gene promoters. Our study suggests that ICP0 regulates transcription through specific interaction with PCAF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / physiology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Protein Binding
  • Transcriptional Activation / physiology*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Vero Cells
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors / genetics
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors
  • p300-CBP-associated factor
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Vmw110 protein, Human herpesvirus 1