The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 reprograms transcription by mimicry of high mobility group A proteins.

ABSTRACT: Viral proteins reprogram their host cells by hijacking regulatory components of protein networks. Here we describe a novel property of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) that may underlie the capacity of the virus to promote a global remodeling of chromatin architecture and cellular transcription. We found that the expression of EBNA1 in transfected human and mouse cells is associated with decreased prevalence of heterochromatin foci, enhanced accessibility of cellular DNA to micrococcal nuclease digestion and decreased average length of nucleosome repeats, suggesting de-protection of the nucleosome linker regions. This is a direct effect of EBNA1 because targeting the viral protein to heterochromatin promotes large-scale chromatin decondensation with slow kinetics and

SUBMITTER: Coppotelli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3597695 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature