E2-responsive Elements Research Articles

R269C variant of ESR1: high prevalence and differential function in a subset of pancreatic cancers

BackgroundEstrogen receptor α (ESR1) plays a critical role in promoting growth of various cancers. Yet, its role in the development of pancreatic cancer is not well-defined. A less studied region of ESR1 is the hinge region, connecting the ligand binding and DNA domains. rs142712646 is a rare SNP in ESR1, which leads to a substitution of arginine to cysteine at amino acid 269 (R269C). The mutation is positioned in the hinge region of ESR1, hence may affect the receptor structure and function. We aimed to characterize the activity of R269C-ESR1 and study its role in the development of pancreatic cancer.MethodsTranscriptional activity was evaluated by E2-response element (ERE) and AP1 –luciferase reporter assays and qRT-PCR. Proliferation and migration were assessed using MTT and wound healing assays. Gene-expression analysis was performed using RNAseq.ResultsWe examined the presence of this SNP in various malignancies, using the entire database of FoundationOne and noted enrichment of it in a subset of pancreatic non-ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 2800) compared to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as well as other tumor types (0.53% vs 0.29%, p = 0.02). Studies in breast and pancreatic cancer cells indicated cell type-dependent activity of ESR1 harboring R269C. Thus, expression of R269C-ESR1 enhanced proliferation and migration of PANC-1 and COLO-357 pancreatic cancer cells but not of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, R269C-ESR1 enhanced E2-response elements (ERE) and AP1-dependent transcriptional activity and increased mRNA levels of ERE and AP1-regulated genes in pancreatic cancer cell lines, but had a modest effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Accordingly, whole transcriptome analysis indicated alterations of genes associated with tumorigenicity in pancreatic cancer cells and upregulation of genes associated with cell metabolism and hormone biosynthesis in breast cancer cells.ConclusionsOur study shed new light on the role of the hinge region in regulating transcriptional activity of the ER and indicates cell-type specific activity, namely increased activity in pancreatic cancer cells but reduced activity in breast cancer cells. While rare, the presence of rs142712646 may serve as a novel genetic risk factor, and a possible target for therapy in a subset of non-ductal pancreatic cancers.

Pregnenolone as a potential candidate for hormone therapy for female reproductive disorders targeting ERβ.

Many steroid hormones such as estrogen (E2) bind to their receptors for the regulation of biological processes. Pregnenolone (P5) is the precursor form of almost all steroid hormones and is often used to treat skin disorders and neurological complications. However, the mechanism and physiological function of P5 in reproductive organs are not well established. In this study, we investigated the effects of P5 on activation and expression of E2 receptor (ER) in the uteri and ovaries. To study the mechanism of P5 directly, Ishikawa cells were transfected with E2 response element (ERE)-luciferase plasmid and isoforms of ER. ERE-luciferase activity induced by P5 was similar to that induced by E2, and P5 showed high activity for ERβ without any relevance to P5-metabolizing hormones such as progesterone (P4) and E2. In an animal study, immature female rats treated with P5 showed upregulation of ERα and downregulation of ERβ in the uteri, which is the main organ expressing ERα. In ERβ-expressing organ ovaries, estrogen receptor 1, estrogen receptor 2, and P4 receptor were all downregulated by P5 and E2. Also, a decrease of ovarian cell proliferation and viability was observed in response to P5 relative to the control, suggesting that P5 may be a candidate for antiproliferative hormone of ovarian cancer. These findings suggest that P5 stimulates ERE promoter by ERβ-mediated signaling in the uteri and ovaries. Activation of ERβ by P5 may help in understanding the mechanism of ER-related female reproductive diseases such as endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

Inhibition of BET proteins impairs estrogen-mediated growth and transcription in breast cancers by pausing RNA polymerase advancement.

Estrogen (E2)-induced transcription requires coordinated recruitment of estrogen receptor α (ER) and multiple factors at the promoter of activated genes. However, the precise mechanism by which this complex stimulates the RNA polymerase II activity required to execute transcription is largely unresolved. We investigated the role of bromodomain (BRD) containing bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, in E2-induced growth and gene activation. JQ1, a specific BET protein inhibitor, was used to block BET protein function in two different ER-positive breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D). Real-time PCR and ChIP assays were used to measure RNA expression and to detect recruitment of various factors on the genes, respectively. Protein levels were measured by Western blotting. JQ1 suppressed E2-induced growth and transcription in both MCF7 and T47D cells. The combination of E2 and JQ1 down-regulated the levels of ER protein in MCF7 cells but the loss of ER was not responsible for JQ1-mediated inhibition of E2 signaling. JQ1 did not disrupt E2-induced recruitment of ER and co-activator (SRC3) at the E2-responsive DNA elements. The E2-induced increase in histone acetylation was also not altered by JQ1. However, JQ1 blocked the E2-induced transition of RNA polymerase II from initiation to elongation by stalling it at the promoter region of the responsive genes upstream of the transcription start site. This study establishes BET proteins as the key mediators of E2-induced transcriptional activation. This adds another layer of complexity to the regulation of estrogen-induced gene activation that can potentially be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

Preferential estrogen receptor β ligands reduce Bcl-2 expression in hormone-resistant breast cancer cells to increase autophagy.

Acquired resistance to selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERM) and downregulators (SERD) is a significant clinical problem in the treatment of estrogen (E2) receptor-positive (ER(+)) breast cancers. There are two ER subtypes, ERα and ERβ, which promote and inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, respectively. Although ER(+) breast cancers typically express a high ratio of ERα to ERβ, the acquisition of SERM resistance in vitro and in vivo is associated with increased relative expression of the ERβ. On some gene enhancers, ERβ has been shown to function in opposition to the ERα in the presence of E2. Here, we demonstrate that two different ERβ agonists, WAY-20070 and a novel "A-CD" estrogen called L17, produce a marked reduction in G(2)-M phase correlated with effects on cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression in a SERM/SERD-resistant breast cancer cell line. ERβ agonists recruited both the ERα and ERβ to the Bcl-2 E2-response element strongly reducing Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in an ERβ-dependent manner. L17 recruited RIP140 to the Bcl-2 promoter in cells overexpressing ERβ. Exposure to the ERβ ligands also resulted in increased processing of LC3-I to LC3-II, indicative of enhanced autophagic flux. The coaddition of ERβ agonist and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine resulted in a significant accumulation of sub-G1 DNA which was completely prevented by the addition of the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. We propose that combined therapies with an ERβ agonist and an inhibitor of autophagy may provide the basis for a novel approach to the treatment of SERM/SERD-resistant breast cancers.

Estrogen Activates an Oxidant‐Dependent Signaling Pathway Threatening VEGF Promoter Integrity in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (PAECs)

Uncertainty about the role of estrogen (E2) in lung vascular disease relates in part to the complex reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent signaling pathways used by the hormone. We examined pan-cellular, mitochondrial and nuclear ROS signaling in rat PAECs using fluorescence microscopy of dichlorofluorescein (DCF), MitoTracker CMH2XRos, and nuclear-targeted ro-GFP, respectively. E2 caused time and dose-dependent increases in DCF-detectable ROS burden. While mitochondrial ROS accumulation was minimal, the nuclear ROS burden rose markedly. PCR and ChIP assays showed that E2 caused formation of oxidized bases in, and recruitment of DNA repair enzymes to the E2 responsive element (ERE) of the VEGF promoter. The complex I inhibitor rotenone failed to suppress pan-cellular or nuclear ROS accumulation, but the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline, attenuated ROS accumulation in the nucleus, prevented oxidized base formation in the ERE of the VEGF promoter, and suppressed E2-mediated induction of VEGF mRNA expression. These findings suggest E2 activates a nuclear ROS signaling pathway in PAECs, possibly linked to gene expression through a DNA bound histone demethylase, that oxidatively threatens a promoter sequence of an E2-inducible nuclear gene critically involved in maintenance of lung vascular structure. Supported by NIH.

Varied Mechanisms of Oestradiol-Mediated Regulation of Dopamine β-Hydroxylase Transcription

Experiments performed in vivo and in cell culture have demonstrated that oestradiol induces dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) gene transcription. In the present study, we examined oestrogen-responsive elements of the rat DBH gene promoter aiming to characterise the mechanisms of oestradiol-induced DBH transcription. Various mutations and deletions of DBH promoter reporter constructs were tested for responsiveness to 17β-oestradiol (E(2) ). Mutation of the half palindromic oestrogen response element (ERE) at position -759 reduced the response to E(2) in PC12 cells co-transfected with oestrogen receptor (ER) α, indicating a functional role for this motif. In cells co-transfected with ERβ, mutations at the -759 site were unresponsive to E(2) . To characterise the additional E(2) responsive elements, mediated by ERα, the DBH promoter was truncated to the proximal 249 or 200 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. Despite either truncation, 10 nm E(2) still elicited an approximately two-fold induction of DBH promoter activity. Mutation of a possible ERE-like sequence at -59 had no effect. The lack of a functional ERE in the proximal region of the rat DBH promoter despite E(2) -mediated DBH promoter activity, suggests regulation by a nonclassical mechanism, such as a membrane-initiated signalling pathway. Moreover, the induction of DBH promoter activity and the rise in DBH mRNA levels were observed within hours. To determine whether membrane-initiated E(2) signalling is involved in rat DBH gene transcription, a membrane impermeable E(2) conjugate, β-oestradiol-6-(O-carboxy-methyl) oxime-bovine serum albumin (E(2) BSA), was used. Incubation with E(2) -BSA induced luciferase activity and elicited a significant rise in DBH mRNA levels in the ERα transfected cells. The findings indicate two different mechanisms whereby DBH transcription is regulated by E(2) in the presence of ERα. The results implicate both genomic and membrane-initiated mechanisms, mediated by ERα, in E(2) -induced DBH gene transcription.

A pitfall in the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for node- and hormone receptor-positive patients with breast cancer: the paradoxical role of Bcl-2 oncoprotein (review).

The survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in node-positive patients with breast cancer compared with surgery alone has been established. The survival benefit differs considerably between hormone receptor-positive and -negative patients, and it is believed that the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy can be increased by hormonal therapy with tamoxifen. In the present review, we discuss the rationale behind the effectiveness of combination treatment with anticancer drugs and tamoxifen in terms of the paradoxical role of Bcl-2 in apoptosis in breast cancer. The survival benefit between receptor-positive and -negative patients was assessed using previous reports of randomized controlled studies for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in node-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen induces the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2, by its effect on estradiol (E2), via an E2-response element in the promotor region of Bcl-2. The efficicacy of chemoendocrine therapy was assessed in terms of the influence of tamoxifen on the effect of anticancer drugs. Adjuvant chemotherapy, including anthracycline and non-anthracycline based regimens, has an overall survival benefit in node-positive breast cancer, with a 23.5% reduction in the annual odds of recurrence and a 15% reduction in mortality (P<0.00001). A comparison of the reduction of the relative risk indicates that the survival benefit in receptor-negative patients is superior to that in receptor-positive patients by approximately 3-fold. Further, in contrast to receptor-negative patients, there is no additional benefit from paclitaxel over doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) in receptor-positive patients. The possible reasons that the chemotherapy benefit in receptor-positive patients is small and marginal are the following: i) concurrent treatment or pretreatment with tamoxifen can increase plasma E2 levels in premenopausal patients, thereby inducing Bcl-2 in residual cancer cells, which might decrease drug-sensitivity in combination with chemotherapy; ii) induction of Bcl-2 might be involved predominantly in the resistance to taxanes, the cytotoxic action of which targets Bcl-2. Co-treatment or pretreatment with tamoxifen for adjuvant therapy might decrease the efficacy of anticancer drugs, an effect that is mediated by induction of Bcl-2, especially in premenopausal patients with node-positive breast cancer. Treatment with anticancer drugs should be followed by treatment with tamoxifen to produce a survival benefit from combination therapy in receptor-positive patients.

Regulation of human cbfa1 gene transcription in osteoblasts by selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

Cbfa1, a transcription factor critical for bone formation, plays a key role in osteoblast recruitment and differentiation. We have cloned and characterized a 3.0 KB 5′-flanking region of the human cbfa1 gene isolated from a P1 human genomic library. DNA sequencing revealed several known canonical nuclear transcription factor binding sites, including two AP1 and six OSE2 binding sites in the proximal promoter region. Although no estrogen (E2)-response element (ERE) binding sites were identified, E2 has been shown to regulate gene activity via AP1 promoter sites. We examined the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on human cbfa1 gene promoter activity using cell-based luciferase reporter transcriptional assays. Three characterized SERMs, tamoxifen, raloxifene, and ICI 178,180, all upregulated cbfa1–luciferase (cbfa1Luc) gene activity 5- to 10-fold in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was mediated by both ERα and ERβ. Mutational analysis demonstrated that the minimal promoter region for basal of SERM-activated transcription was mapped to adjacent AP1-like and OSE2 binding sites within −93 and +7 of the transcription start condon. Further, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrate that ICI 178,180 increased binding of AP1 and OSE2 site by ERα and cbfa1, respectively. These studies suggest that SERMs can modulate bone-specific cbfa1 gene expression in a human osteosarcoma cell line.

Transcriptional activation of cathepsin D gene expression by 17β-estradiol: mechanism of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated inhibition

17β-estradiol (E2) induces cathepsin D gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and this response is inhibited by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD). Analysis of the cathepsin D gene promoter initially identified a pentanucleotide GCGTG core dioxin responsive element (DRE) that blocked E2 action by inhibiting formation of a transcriptionally active estrogen receptor (ER)-Sp1 complex. A second functional downstream inhibitory DRE (iDRE2) (−130 to −126) has now been identified in the cathepsin D gene promoter and inhibition of E2-induced transactivation involves inhibitory AhR crosstalk with the E2-responsive adenovirus major late promoter element (MLPE) at −124 to −104 in the cathepsin D gene promoter. The MLPE site primarily binds USF1/USF2 and ERα, and gel mobility shift and DNA footprinting assays show that the AhR complex decreases binding of these transcription factors to the MLPE.

A Therapeutic Target for Hormone-independent Estrogen Receptor-positive Breast Cancers

The action of the steroid hormone estradiol (E2) is mediated via interaction with a specific receptor (ER) that initiates a series of events downstream, leading to the modulation of hormone-responsive genes and cell proliferation. Antihormones also bind, but do not confer the active configuration to ER, thereby, blocking the transmission of E2-ER-initiated signals for cell proliferation. Although these compounds qualify for successful therapy of ER-positive [ER (+)] breast cancer patients, only a fraction of patients responds to antihormone treatment. In this study, the functional status of ER is determined to identify alternative targets for therapy of antihormone-resistant ER (+) breast cancers. The interaction of ER with a specific DNA sequence, designated as E2 response element (ERE), was targeted to assess the functional state of ER. ER-ERE complex formation was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and by a newly developed technique, based on the preferential binding of DNA-protein complex to a nitrocellulose membrane (NMBA) that measures both total and functional fraction of ER. The NMBA assay identified functional variants of ER among ER (+) breast cancer cell lines and breast tumor biopsy specimens. ER of (21PT) cells did not bind E2 and these cells were tamoxifen (TAM) resistant. However 21PT cells were sensitive to a calmodulin (CaM) antagonist, W7, that blocked ERE-ER complex formation. ER variants of the 21PT type were detected among breast cancer biopsy specimens, emphasizing the significance of an alternative therapeutic target for TAM-resistant ER (+) human breast cancers with compounds such as W7.

Adeno-associated virus Rep78 binds to E2-responsive element 1 of bovine papillomavirus type 1.

Adeno-associated virus type-2 (AAV-2) is a helper-dependent parvovirus that has been implicated in the inhibition of replication and oncogenic transformation of bovine papillomavirus type-1 (BPV-1) and other transforming DNA viruses. Previous studies have suggested that the Rep78 protein of AAV-2 is a key player mediating this effect. In this report we have analyzed the effect of AAV-2 Rep78 protein on the regulation of gene expression of a reporter gene under the control of the long control region (LCR) of BPV-1. Our results show that Rep78 is capable of down-regulating the promoter activity of the LCR in vivo in tissue culture cells. Inhibition of LCR activity in vivo suggested the need for Rep78 to bind to a region of the LCR promoter spanning the E2-responsive elements of BPV-1. This observation was further confirmed in vitro with gel shift assays showing specific binding of Rep78 to DNA oligonucleotides containing E2-responsive element 1 (E2RE1) sequences of BPV-1 LCR. Our results expand the understanding of the mechanism of trans-regulation mediated by Rep78 and involving this protein and DNA sequences with complex secondary structure.

Adeno-Associated Virus Rep78 Binds to E2-Responsive Element 1 of Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1

Adeno-Associated Virus Rep78 Binds to E2-Responsive Element 1 of Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1

Differential expression of estrogen receptor-beta (ER beta) in human pituitary tumors: functional interactions with ER alpha and a tumor-specific splice variant.

The mitogenic and regulatory effects of estrogen (E2) in adenohypophysial cells are known to be mediated through the nuclear estrogen receptor (ER alpha). Expression of ER alpha and several of its messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) alternate splice variants has been shown to be restricted to prolactinomas and gonadotroph tumors. However, little is known about gene expression patterns of the novel nuclear hormone receptor ER beta in the neoplastic pituitary. ER beta has high homology to ER alpha in the DNA- and ligand-binding domains, but encodes a distinct transcriptional activating function-1 (AF-1) domain. Using RT-PCR analysis of total RNA from 38 human pituitary adenomas, we found that ER beta messenger RNA was coexpressed with ER alpha and its splice variants in 60% of prolactinomas, 100% of mixed GH/PRL tumors, and 29% of gonadotroph tumors. ER beta gene expression was not limited to ER alpha-positive tumor subtypes, however, and was also found in 100% of null cell tumors, 80% of somatotroph tumors, and 60% of corticotroph tumors. Because ER beta is coexpressed with ER alpha and its splice variants in prolactinomas and gonadotroph tumors, we functionally characterized the potential interactions between ER beta and ER alpha. We also examined the potential cooperative effects on ER beta-mediated gene expression of a tumor-specific truncated delta 5ER alpha splice variant that has been shown to be coexpressed in the majority of ER alpha-positive tumors. This exon 5 splice variant encodes the AF-1 domain as well as regions critical for DNA binding and nuclear localization, but lacks the ligand-binding and AF-2 domains. Mammalian expression vectors encoding ER alpha, delta 5ER alpha, and/or ER beta complementary DNAs were transiently transfected along with an E2 response element promoter-luciferase (ERELuc) reporter into human ER alpha/ER beta-negative osteosarcoma U2-OS cells. ER beta was less potent than ER alpha in activating E2-stimulated ERELuc activity (4-vs. 14-fold relative to basal control levels). However, when delta 5ER alpha was coexpressed with ER beta or ER alpha, E2-stimulated ERELuc activity was markedly increased to 8- and 57-fold, respectively, relative to basal control levels when each full-length isoform was expressed alone. Finally, coexpression of ER beta with ER alpha did not significantly alter the E2-stimulated ERELuc activity induced by ER alpha alone. Cotreatment with tamoxifen markedly inhibited all E2-stimulated ERELuc responses to baseline levels. Together, these data suggest that ER beta has a minor role in mediating E2 responses in ER alpha-positive tumors, but may be the main mediator of E2-stimulated gene expression when expressed alone in somatotroph, corticotroph, and null cell tumors. This low, but significant, level of ER beta trans-activation potential may be enhanced by coexpression of delta 5ER alpha in neoplastic pituitary. Therefore, E2-mediated gene expression in normal and neoplastic pituitary appears to be highly dependent on the expression of ER alpha and ER beta isoforms, which have varying transcriptional activities.

Enhanced transcriptional activation by E2 proteins from the oncogenic human papillomaviruses.

A systematic comparison of transcriptional activation by papillomavirus E2 proteins revealed that the E2 proteins from high-risk human papillomaviruses (human papillomavirus type 16 [HPV-16] and HPV-18) are much more active than are the E2 proteins from low-risk HPVs (HPV-6b and HPV-11). Despite the tropism of HPVs for particular epithelial cell types, this difference in transcriptional activation was observed in a number of different epithelial and nonepithelial cells. The enhanced activities of the E2 proteins from high-risk HPVs did not result from higher steady-state levels of protein in vivo, and in vitro DNA-binding assays revealed similar binding properties for these two classes of E2 proteins. These results demonstrate that the E2 proteins from high-risk HPVs have an intrinsically enhanced potential to activate transcription from promoters with E2-responsive elements. We found that there are also substantial differences between the activation properties of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 E2 protein and those of either of the two classes of HPV E2 proteins, especially with regard to requirements for particular configurations of E2 binding sites in the target promoter. Our results indicate that there are at least three distinct functional classes of E2 proteins and that these classes of E2 proteins may perform different roles during the respective viral life cycles.

The AF-2 Region of the Retinoic Acid Receptor α Mediates Retinoic Acid Inhibition of Estrogen Receptor Function in Breast Cancer Cells

The growth of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells is inhibited by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). In the present study, estrogen (E2) induction of pS2 mRNA levels was significantly reduced within 6 h following cotreatment with RA. In transient transfection experiments, RA repressed transactivation from a vitellogenin E2-responsive element by approximately 50% and wild-type RA receptor alpha (RARalpha) or RARbeta enhanced this inhibition. Transfection of truncated RARalpha mutants terminating before or at amino acid 412 markedly decreased RA inhibition of E2-induced reporter gene activity. Expression of RARs with deletions of amino acids 413 and 414 in the transactivation-2 (AF-2) domain also reduced RA inhibition, while deletions and point mutations beyond amino acid 414 behaved like the wild-type RARalpha. RA-treated MCF-7 cells transfected with an RARalpha AF-2 region mutant were twice as sensitive to growth inhibition as untransfected and vector-transfected control cells. Thus, the AF-2 domain in the C terminus of the RARalpha mediates RA inhibition of ER-induced transcription in breast cancer cells. In addition, transcriptional interference between RARs and ERs may contribute to RA inhibition of ER-positive breast cancer cell growth.

Cooperative DNA binding of the bovine papillomavirus E2 transcriptional activator is antagonized by truncated E2 polypeptides

Cooperative DNA binding of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E2 transcriptional activator (E2-TA) is thought to play a role in the transcriptional synergism of multiple E2-responsive DNA elements (J. Ham, N. Dostatni, J.-M. Gauthier, and M. Yaniv, Trends Biochem. Sci. 16:440-444, 1991). Binding-equilibrium considerations show that such involvement is unlikely, thereby suggesting that the E2-TA cooperative capacity may have evolved to play other, different roles. The role of cooperative interactions in the antagonistic activity of BPV-1-positive and BPV-1-negative E2 regulatory proteins was investigated by an in vitro quantitative gel shift assay. Viral repressor E2-TR, a truncated peptide encompassing the activator DNA-binding domain, possesses a small but measurable cooperative capacity. Furthermore, the minimal E2 DNA-binding domain interacts with the activator in a positive, heterocooperative manner. As a result, the in vitro competition of full-length and truncated E2 peptides appears to be (macroscopically) noncooperative. This heterocooperative effect is probably dominant in latently infected G0-G1 cells, in which repressor E2-TR is 10- to 20-fold more abundant than the activator. The data are discussed considering the possible role of homo- and heterocooperative DNA binding in E2-conditional gene expression.

Characterization of the cis elements involved in basal and E2-transactivated expression of the bovine papillomavirus P2443 promoter

Transcriptional transactivation and repression by the viral E2 proteins are important regulatory mechanisms for the papillomaviruses. In the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1), several viral promoters can be transactivated by E2 through E2-dependent enhancer elements located in the viral long control region (LCR), including promoters involved in E2 expression itself. This report demonstrates that the BPV-1 P2443 promoter is transactivated by E2-responsive elements in the LCR and that this promoter is responsible for a major part of the expression of the E2 and E5 gene products. Characterization of the cis elements involved in P2443 regulation indicated that the single E2-binding site directly upstream of P2443 is not required for either the E2 transactivation or for any E2 repression of the basal or transactivated activity of this promoter. Therefore, cooperative interactions between E2 bound at the LCR and E2 bound near P2443 do not have any role in the regulation of this promoter. Further definition of the cis regulatory elements of this promoter indicated that a binding site for the transcriptional factor Sp1 exists directly upstream of the P2443 TATA box and is critical for the basal level of transcription from this promoter. Disruption of this Sp1 site eliminated P2443 promoter activity in transient expression assays for E2 and E5 and resulted in a loss of transforming activity when introduced into the full viral genome.

Replication of bovine papillomavirus type 1 DNA initiates within an E2-responsive enhancer element

When bovine papillomavirus transforms cells in vitro, it maintains its genome as a multicopy nuclear plasmid. Plasmid DNA extracted from such transformed cells was analyzed by the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique of Brewer and Fangman (B. Brewer and W. Fangman, Cell 51:463-471, 1987). The replication intermediates detected in these assays were found to be the sums of the oligomeric and monomeric forms of the replicating plasmids. The multimeric DNAs were shown by field inversion gel electrophoresis and partial restriction digestion to be head-to-tail concatemers of the monomeric forms. Furthermore, the multimers progressed in size by steps of one monomer, indicating that they did not arise by replication segregation mistakes of the unit length, which would predict a ladder spaced by integrals of two monomers. To map the plasmid DNA replication origin, the replication intermediates of the monomers were isolated by successive sucrose gradient centrifugation and then examined by the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis method. The patterns detected show that bovine papillomavirus type 1 replicates in these cells bidirectionally and that one replication origin site in the viral genome is utilized. By employing several restriction enzymes and specific viral DNA probes to dissect the replication intermediates, we were able to map the origin of initiation site with some precision. The initiation site, which maps to bovine papillomavirus type 1 DNA position 7730 +/- 100 bp, places the origin within that region of the viral upstream regulatory region which contains the major cluster of transcription factor E2-binding sites, E2RE1. Thus, the actual viral plasmid origin of replication maps near, but outside, genetic elements previously shown to be important for plasmid maintenance.

Efficient activation of transcription in yeast by the BPV1 E2 protein

The full-length gene product encoded by the E2 open reading frame (ORF) of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) is a transcriptional transactivator. It is believed to mediate its effect on the BPV1 long control region (LCR) by binding to motifs with the consensus sequence ACCN6GGT. The minimal functional cis active site, called the E2 response element (E2RE), in mammalian cells comprises two copies of this motif. Here we have shown that E2 can function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by placing an E2RE upstream of a synthetic yeast assay promoter which consists of a TATA motif and an mRNA initiation site, spaced correctly. This E2RE-minimal promoter is only transcriptionally active in the presence of E2 protein and the resulting mRNA is initiated at the authentic start site. This is the first report of a mammalian viral transactivator functioning in yeast. The level of activation by E2 via the E2RE was the same as observed with the highly efficient authentic PGK promoter where the upstream activation sequence is composed of three distinct elements. Furthermore a single E2 motif which is insufficient in mammalian cells as an activation site was as efficiently utilized in yeast as the E2RE (2 motifs). Previous studies have shown that mammalian cellular activators can function in yeast and our data now extend this to viral-specific activators. Our data indicate however that while the mechanism of transactivation is broadly conserved there may be significant differences at the detailed level.

Multiple cooperative interactions constrain BPV-1 E2 dependent activation of transcription

Transcription directed by the BPV-1 long control region (LCR) is conditional upon activation by the virally encoded E2 protein. Within the 1.0 kb LCR there are five separate regions, A to E, that contain E2 responsive enhancers. The smallest functional region, A, is only 38 bp and contains two copies of the consensus sequence ACC(N)6GGT that is known to function as an E2 binding site in vitro. We show that a pair of these constitutes a minimal functional E2 responsive enhancer element but that the strength of enhancer activity is dramatically reduced both by increasing the spacing between them and by removing the dual elements from the proximity of other key promoter elements. Furthermore, pairs of dual elements activated transcription to varying levels depending upon their spatial arrangement and promoter proximity. We have also identified a low level constitutive enhancer in the D region which lacks an E2 consensus binding site but which can be activated by E2. We show that the activation potential of this constitutive enhancer is increased by association with a single E2 binding site suggesting some cooperation/interaction between viral and cellular enhancer proteins.