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A cellular repressor regulates transcription initiation from the minute virus of mice P38 promoter

A Krauskopf1, Y Aloni

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics and Virology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Nucleic Acids Research
|March 11, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Minute virus of mice (MVM) transcription is regulated by a novel inhibitory element. This element binds a cellular protein, repressing viral gene expression during infection.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Virology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The P38 promoter of minute virus of mice (MVM) is activated by the viral nonstructural protein NS1 via the downstream promoter element (DPE).
  • Understanding viral gene regulation is crucial for deciphering infection dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel regulatory elements controlling MVM P38 promoter transcription.
  • To investigate the mechanism of transcriptional inhibition of the MVM P38 promoter.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro transcription assays using whole-cell extracts.
  • Deletion analysis of the MVM P38 promoter region.
  • Gel retardation assays to identify protein-DNA interactions.

Main Results:

  • A distinct downstream promoter element, independent of the DPE, was identified that inhibits MVM P38 transcription.
  • Deletion of a 34 bp region between +95 and +129 relieved transcriptional inhibition.
  • Gel retardation assays confirmed the specific binding of a cellular protein to this inhibitory element, demonstrating promoter specificity and orientation dependence.

Conclusions:

  • A cellular repressor binds to a specific element downstream of the MVM P38 promoter, inhibiting transcription.
  • This finding reveals a novel mechanism for regulating viral gene expression, potentially crucial for the temporal control of MVM infection.
  • The interaction highlights the interplay between viral promoters and host cellular factors in viral replication.

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