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Updated: Sep 12, 2026

Genome-wide Analysis using ChIP to Identify Isoform-specific Gene Targets
Published on: July 7, 2010
RBP-J kappa repression activity is mediated by a co-repressor and antagonized by the Epstein-Barr virus transcription
L Waltzer1, P Y Bourillot, A Sergeant
1Unit de Virologie Humaine, ENS-INSERM U412, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France.
Abstract:
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein EBNA2 is a transcriptional activator that can be targeted to its DNA responsive elements by direct interaction with the cellular protein RBP-J kappa. RBP-J kappa is a ubiquitous factor, highly conserved between man, mouse and Drosophila, whose function in mammalian cells is largely unknown. Here we provide evidence that RBP-J kappa is a transcriptional repressor and, more importantly, that RBP-J kappa repression is mediated by a co-repressor. The function of the co-repressor could be counterbalanced by making a fusion protein (RBP-VP16) between RBP-J kappa and the VP16 activation domain. This RBP-VP16-mediated activation could be strongly increased by an EBNA2 protein deprived of its activation domain, but not by an EBNA2 protein incapable of making physical contact with RBP-J kappa. Our results suggest that EBNA2 activates transcription by both interfering with the function of a co-repressor recruited by RBP-J kappa and providing an activation domain.
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