GATA1 transcription factor targets the gene expression of B19 virus in HEK293 cell line

B19 virus (B19V) is a single-strand DNA virus that has specific tropism to erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs). The virus enters the cells via P antigen and coreceptors and induces infection and cell apoptosis. GATA1 has a high expression in EPC and is a critical transcription factor for the cells development and differentiation. As human EPCs are the main target of the virus infection that have high expression of GATA-1 as the critical transcription factor, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GATA1 cotransfection with B19V genome on the expression of the viral mRNAs in HEK293 as nonpermissive cell line to the virus that had no mRNA expression of GATA-1.

HEK293 cells were transfected with pHI0 plasmid containing the B19V genome and the plasmid of the GATA1 genome. The quantity of B19V mRNAs (NS1, 7.5 kDa, and 11 kDa) expression was evaluated after 24 h of transfection.

The results showed a statistically significant increase in fold change expression of (NS1 ∽12.3, VP1 ∽27.6, 11kb protein ∽38) in cotransfected cells with GATA1 and B19 plasmids compare to control group (P<0.05).

This research showed transfected cells with GATA1 had elevation in the expression of the B19V genes mRNAs in a nonpermissive cell. This result may show the role of GATA1 as a critical transcription factor in support of the virus infection in EPCs. This suggests that GATA1 may potentially sport B19V replication or gene expression.