This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Reach, M Articles by Young, C S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Reach, M Articles by Young, C S

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Virol. 1990 December; 64(12): 5851-5860

The upstream factor-binding site is not essential for activation of transcription from the adenovirus major late promoter.

Department of Microbiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032.

ABSTRACT

An adenovirus major late promoter (MLP) has been constructed with a 4-bp alteration in the sequence which binds the transcription factor known as USF or MLTF. This upstream element has often been considered necessary and sufficient for maximal transcription of the MLP. A duplex oligonucleotide containing the mutant sequence was not capable of binding specific proteins in a band shift assay, nor was it capable of inhibiting such binding by the wild-type sequence. In an in vitro assay, the mutant sequence was incapable of inhibiting transcription from a duplex sequence containing the MLP, whereas the wild-type sequence could. These two pieces of evidence suggest that the sequence is functionally impaired. Surprisingly, a virus containing the mutant MLP had a normal replication phenotype. On more detailed examination however, we show that the mutant viral MLP was deficient in transcription at 9 h postinfection but that the rate of transcription was close to normal by 20 h postinfection. An inverted CAAT box located immediately upstream of the USF-binding element was not previously thought to be of importance to the functioning of the MLP. However, a single point mutation in the CAAT box, placed in the USF mutant background, had a marked effect upon transcription from the MLP. This result suggests that the MLP may exhibit functional redundancy in which either the USF-binding site or the CAAT box can serve as an upstream promoter element. Neither of the mutant viruses displayed any change in the levels of the divergent IVa2 transcription unit, suggesting that the levels of divergent transcription are not determined by competition for limiting transcription factors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Ali, H., LeRoy, G., Bridge, G., Flint, S. J. (2007). The Adenovirus L4 33-Kilodalton Protein Binds to Intragenic Sequences of the Major Late Promoter Required for Late Phase-Specific Stimulation of Transcription. J. Virol. 81: 1327-1338 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gustin, K. E., Imperiale, M. J. (1998). Encapsidation of Viral DNA Requires the Adenovirus L1 52/55-Kilodalton Protein. J. Virol. 72: 7860-7870 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Fessler, S. P., Young, C. S. H. (1998). Control of Adenovirus Early Gene Expression during the Late Phase of Infection. J. Virol. 72: 4049-4056 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Song, B., Young, C. S. H. (1998). Functional Analysis of the CAAT Box in the Major Late Promoter of the Subgroup C Human Adenoviruses. J. Virol. 72: 3213-3220 [Abstract] [Full Text]