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Histone acetyltransferase activity of CBP is controlled by cycle-dependent kinases and oncoprotein E1A

S Ait-Si-Ali1, S Ramirez, F X Barre

  • 1Laboratoire Oncogénèse, Différenciation et Transduction du Signal, CNRS UPR 9079, Villejuif, France.

Nature
|November 21, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Viral protein E1A hijacks cell cycle progression by binding retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and CBP/p300. Phosphorylation of CBP/p300 enhances its activity, mimicking E1A

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Viral oncoproteins like E1A manipulate the host cell cycle.
  • Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and CBP/p300 are key regulators of the G1/S cell cycle transition.
  • Rb acts as a co-repressor, recruiting histone deacetylases, while CBP/p300 acts as a co-activator, possessing histone acetyltransferase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation of CBP/p300 activity during the cell cycle.
  • To determine if CBP/p300 is subject to phosphorylation at the G1/S boundary.
  • To compare the effects of viral protein E1A on CBP/p300 activity with endogenous regulatory mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Cell cycle analysis
  • Protein immunoprecipitation
  • Western blotting
  • Enzyme activity assays

Main Results:

  • CBP/p300 is phosphorylated at the G1/S boundary.
  • Phosphorylation of CBP/p300 leads to increased histone acetyltransferase activity.
  • Viral protein E1A mimics this phosphorylation-dependent activation of CBP/p300.
  • E1A binding to Rb and CBP/p300 facilitates cell cycle progression into S phase.

Conclusions:

  • CBP/p300 activity is regulated by phosphorylation at the G1/S transition.
  • Viral protein E1A exploits this regulatory mechanism to drive cells into S phase.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending viral oncogenesis and cell cycle control.

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