A multi-omics approach to Epstein-Barr virus immortalization of B-cells reveals EBNA1 chromatin pioneering activities targeting nucleotide metabolism

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Jan 26;17(1):e1009208. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009208. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immortalizes resting B-lymphocytes through a highly orchestrated reprogramming of host chromatin structure, transcription and metabolism. Here, we use a multi-omics-based approach to investigate these underlying mechanisms. ATAC-seq analysis of cellular chromatin showed that EBV alters over a third of accessible chromatin during the infection time course, with many of these sites overlapping transcription factors such as PU.1, Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs), and CTCF. Integration of RNA-seq analysis identified a complex transcriptional response and associations with EBV nuclear antigens (EBNAs). Focusing on EBNA1 revealed enhancer-binding activity at gene targets involved in nucleotide metabolism, supported by metabolomic analysis which indicated that adenosine and purine metabolism are significantly altered by EBV immortalization. We further validated that adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a direct and critical target of the EBV-directed immortalization process. These findings reveal that purine metabolism and ADA may be useful therapeutic targets for EBV-driven lymphoid cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Transformation, Viral*
  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / metabolism
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / metabolism*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Metabolome
  • Nucleotides / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Nucleotides
  • Viral Proteins
  • EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1