The Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Protein ICP4 Acts as both an Activator and a Repressor of Host Genome Transcription during Infection.

ABSTRACT: Infection by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) impacts nearly all steps of host cell gene expression. The regulatory mechanisms by which this occurs, and the interplay between host and viral factors, have yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated how the occupancy of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) on the host genome changes during HSV-1 infection and is impacted by the viral immediate early protein ICP4. Pol II ChIP-seq experiments revealed ICP4-dependent decreases and increases in Pol II levels across the bodies of hundreds of genes. Our data suggest ICP4 represses host transcription by inhibiting recruitment of Pol II and activates host genes by promoting release of Pol II from promoter proximal pausing into productive elongation. Consistent with this, ICP4 was required for the decrease in le

SUBMITTER: Rivas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8462455 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature