EBV miRNAs are potent effectors of tumor cell transcriptome remodeling in promoting immune escape.

The Epstein Barr virus (EBV) contributes to the tumor phenotype through a limited set of primarily non-coding viral RNAs, including 31 mature miRNAs. Here we investigated the impact of EBV miRNAs on remodeling the tumor cell transcriptome. Strikingly, EBV miRNAs displayed exceptionally abundant expression in primary EBV-associated Burkitt's Lymphomas (BLs) and Gastric Carcinomas (GCs).

Immune protection is dependent on the gut microbiome in a lethal mouse gammaherpesviral infection.

Immunopathogenesis in systemic viral infections can induce a septic state with leaky capillary syndrome, disseminated coagulopathy, and high mortality with limited treatment options. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) intraperitoneal infection is a gammaherpesvirus model for producing severe vasculitis, colitis and lethal hemorrhagic pneumonia in interferon gamma receptor-deficient (IFNγR) mice. In prior work, treatment with myxomavirus-derived Serp-1 or a derivative peptide S-7 (GTTASSDTAITLIPR) induced immune protection, reduced disease severity and improved survival after MHV-68 infection.

Identification of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 miRNA-mRNA hybrids reveals miRNA target conservation among gammaherpesviruses including host translation and protein modification machinery.

Gammaherpesviruses, including the human pathogens Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), establish lifelong latent infection in B cells and are associated with a variety of tumors. In addition to protein coding genes, these viruses encode numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) within their genomes. While putative host targets of EBV and KSHV miRNAs have been previously identified, the specific functions of these miRNAs during in vivo infection are largely unknown.

A Gammaherpesvirus MicroRNA Targets EWSR1 (Ewing Sarcoma Breakpoint Region 1) To Promote Latent Infection of Germinal Center B Cells.

Gammaherpesviruses, including the human pathogens Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), directly contribute to the genesis of multiple types of malignancies, including B cell lymphomas. , these viruses infect B cells and manipulate B cell biology to establish lifelong latent infection. To accomplish this, gammaherpesviruses employ an array of gene products, including microRNAs (miRNAs).

Connivance, Complicity, or Collusion? The Role of Noncoding RNAs in Promoting Gammaherpesvirus Tumorigenesis.

EBV and KSHV are etiologic agents of multiple types of lymphomas and carcinomas. The frequency of EBV or KSHV malignancies arising in immunocompromised individuals reflects the intricate evolutionary balance established between these viruses and their immunocompetent hosts. However, the specific mechanisms by which these pathogens drive tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.

Mouse Gamma Herpesvirus MHV-68 Induces Severe Gastrointestinal (GI) Dilatation in Interferon Gamma Receptor-Deficient Mice (IFNγR) That Is Blocked by Interleukin-10.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and infection cause gastrointestinal (GI) distension and, in severe cases, toxic megacolon with risk of perforation and death. Herpesviruses have been linked to severe GI dilatation. MHV-68 is a model for human gamma herpesvirus infection inducing GI dilatation in interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice but is benign in wildtype mice.

A method for the efficient and selective identification of 5-hydroxymethyluracil in genomic DNA.

Recently, 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5hmU) was identified in mammalian genomic DNA as an oxidative product of thymine by the ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins. While the biological role of this modification remains unclear, identifying its genomic location will assist in elucidating function. Here we present a rapid and robust method to selectively tag and enrich genomic regions containing 5hmU.

Base J glucosyltransferase does not regulate the sequence specificity of J synthesis in trypanosomatid telomeric DNA.

Telomeric DNA of trypanosomatids possesses a modified thymine base, called base J, that is synthesized in a two-step process; the base is hydroxylated by a thymidine hydroxylase forming hydroxymethyluracil (hmU) and a glucose moiety is then attached by the J-associated glucosyltransferase (JGT). To examine the importance of JGT in modifiying specific thymine in DNA, we used a Leishmania episome system to demonstrate that the telomeric repeat (GGGTTA) stimulates J synthesis in vivo while mutant telomeric sequences (GGGTTT, GGGATT, and GGGAAA) do not. Utilizing an in vitro GT assay we find that JGT can glycosylate hmU within any sequence with no significant change in Km or kcat, even mutant telomeric sequences that are unable to be J-modified in vivo.

Identification of the glucosyltransferase that converts hydroxymethyluracil to base J in the trypanosomatid genome.

O-linked glucosylation of thymine in DNA (base J) is an important regulatory epigenetic mark in trypanosomatids. β-d-glucopyranosyloxymethyluracil (base J) synthesis is initiated by the JBP1/2 enzymes that hydroxylate thymine, forming 5-hydroxymethyluracil (hmU). hmU is then glucosylated by a previously unknown glucosyltransferase.

JBP1 and JBP2 proteins are Fe2+/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases regulating hydroxylation of thymidine residues in trypanosome DNA.

We have recently demonstrated that O-linked glucosylation of thymine in trypanosome DNA (base J) regulates polymerase II transcription initiation. In vivo analysis has indicated that base J synthesis is initiated by the hydroxylation of thymidine by proteins (JBP1 and JBP2) homologous to the Fe(2+)/2-oxoglutarate (2-OG)-dependent dioxygenase superfamily where hydroxylation is driven by the oxidative decarboxylation of 2-OG, forming succinate and CO(2). However, no direct evidence for hydroxylase activity has been reported for the JBP proteins.

Haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor independent killing of African trypanosomes by human serum and trypanosome lytic factors.

The haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor (HpHbR) of African trypanosomes plays a critical role in human innate immunity against these parasites. Localized to the flagellar pocket of the veterinary pathogen Trypanosoma brucei brucei this receptor binds Trypanosome Lytic Factor-1 (TLF-1), a subclass of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) facilitating endocytosis, lysosomal trafficking and subsequent killing. Recently, we found that group 1 Trypanosoma brucei gambiense does not express a functional HpHbR.