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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

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Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells
Published on: November 12, 2015
Adenovirus small e1a alters global patterns of histone modification
Gregory A Horwitz1, Kangling Zhang, Matthew A McBrian
1Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Summary
Adenovirus e1a protein links to cell cycle progression by reducing histone H3 lysine 18 acetylation (H3K18ac). This finding suggests a role for H3K18 hypoacetylation in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Adenovirus e1a protein induces cell cycle progression by interacting with RB proteins and histone acetyltransferases p300/CBP.
- The precise mechanism by which e1a binding to p300/CBP facilitates cell cycle progression remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of the e1a interaction with p300 and CBP in promoting cell cycle passage.
- To investigate the impact of e1a on histone acetylation, specifically at histone H3 lysine 18 (H3K18).
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between adenovirus e1a protein, RB family proteins, and histone acetyltransferases p300/CBP.
- Quantified global histone H3 lysine 18 acetylation (H3K18ac) levels.
- Utilized knockdown of CBP and p300 to assess their role in H3K18ac.
- Examined H3K18ac levels in cells expressing SV40 T antigen and in prostate carcinoma tissues.
Main Results:
- The e1a interaction with p300/CBP led to a threefold reduction in global H3K18ac.
- Knockdown of CBP and p300 specifically caused H3K18 hypoacetylation, confirming their role in H3K18 acetylation.
- SV40 T antigen also induced H3K18 hypoacetylation.
- Global H3K18 hypoacetylation was observed in prostate carcinomas associated with poor prognosis.
Conclusions:
- The adenovirus e1a protein promotes cell cycle progression, at least in part, by reducing H3K18 acetylation.
- Global H3K18 hypoacetylation is a potential mechanism linked to oncogenic transformation and may serve as a biomarker for aggressive cancers.
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