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Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells
Published on: November 12, 2015
Targeting Cell Cycle Facilitates E1A-Independent Adenoviral Replication
Maximilian Ehrenfeld1, Felicia Segeth2,3, Klaus Mantwill1
1Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
DNA replication of E1-deleted first-generation adenoviruses (AdV) in cultured cancer cells has been reported repeatedly and it was suggested that certain cellular proteins could functionally compensate for E1A, leading to the expression of the early region 2 (E2)-encoded proteins and subsequently virus replication. Referring to this, the observation was named E1A-like activity. In this study, we investigated different cell cycle inhibitors with respect to their ability to increase viral DNA replication of dl70-3, an E1-deleted adenovirus. Our analyses of this issue revealed that in particular inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6i) increased E1-independent adenovirus E2-expression and viral DNA replication. Detailed analysis of the E2-expression in dl70-3 infected cells by RT-qPCR showed that the increase in E2-expression originated from the E2-early promoter. Mutations of the two E2F-binding sites in the E2-early promoter (pE2early-LucM) caused a significant reduction in E2-early promoter activity in trans-activation assays. Accordingly, mutations of the E2F-binding sites in the E2-early promoter in a virus named dl70-3/E2Fm completely abolished CDK4/6i induced viral DNA replication. Thus, our data show that E2F-binding sites in the E2-early promoter are crucial for E1A independent adenoviral DNA replication of E1-deleted vectors in cancer cells. IMPORTANCE E1-deleted AdV vectors are considered replication deficient and are important tools for the study of virus biology, gene therapy, and large-scale vaccine development. However, deletion of the E1 genes does not completely abolish viral DNA replication in cancer cells. Here, we report, that the two E2F-binding sites in the adenoviral E2-early promoter contribute substantially to the so-called E1A-like activity in tumor cells. With this finding, on the one hand, the safety profile of viral vaccine vectors can be increased and, on the other hand, the oncolytic property for cancer therapy might be improved through targeted manipulation of the host cell.
Insights
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors enhance replication of E1-deleted adenoviruses in cancer cells by activating the E2-early promoter via E2F-binding sites. This finding improves the safety of viral vectors and may enhance cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Virology
- Cancer Biology
- Gene Therapy Vectors
Background:
- E1-deleted adenoviruses (AdV) show E1A-like activity, enabling replication in cancer cells through compensatory cellular proteins.
- This E1A-like activity involves expression of early region 2 (E2)-encoded proteins, crucial for viral DNA replication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell cycle inhibitors for their ability to enhance viral DNA replication of E1-deleted adenovirus dl70-3.
- To elucidate the role of E2F-binding sites in the E2-early promoter in E1A-independent adenovirus replication.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of infected cancer cells with cell cycle inhibitors, specifically cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i).
- Analysis of viral E2-expression using RT-qPCR and promoter activity assays (pE2early-LucM).
- Construction and testing of a mutated virus (dl70-3/E2Fm) with altered E2F-binding sites.
Main Results:
- CDK4/6 inhibition significantly increased E1-independent adenovirus E2-expression and viral DNA replication.
- Increased E2-expression was traced to the E2-early promoter, dependent on E2F-binding sites.
- Mutating E2F-binding sites in the virus abolished CDK4/6i-induced viral DNA replication.
Conclusions:
- E2F-binding sites within the adenoviral E2-early promoter are essential for E1A-independent DNA replication of E1-deleted vectors in cancer cells.
- Findings suggest strategies to enhance the safety of viral vaccine vectors and improve oncolytic properties for cancer therapy.
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