Degree
Master of Science
Program
Microbiology and Immunology
Supervisor
Dr. Joe Mymryk
Abstract
The human adenovirus (HAdV) E1A protein is the first protein produced post-HAdV infection, and serves two main functions. The first is to modulate host and viral transcription. The second is to induce host cell cycle progression to S phase, to promote an optimal environment for viral replication. E1A performs its functions by binding and manipulating over 50 cellular factors. Interestingly, I found that E1A is capable of interacting with the poorly characterized human DNA replication-related element-binding factor (hDREF). hDREF is a transcription factor associated with the expression of several genes related to the cell cycle. I hypothesized that the interaction between E1A and hDREF would contribute to adenovirus induced transcriptional modulation and viral replication in HAdV-5 infected host cells.
Utilizing co-immunoprecipitation experiments, I discovered that E1A can bind hDREF through residues 15-26. Using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), I found that hDREF also increases expression of HAdV-5 E3 and E4 genes, which are trans-activated by E1A. Finally, hDREF expression increases HAdV-5 replication. Further studies will reveal whether or not the E1A-hDREF interaction is specifically responsible for these observed results.
Recommended Citation
James, Kris M., "The Interaction of the Human Adenovirus E1A Protein with the Human DREF Transcription Factor" (2013). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 1546.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/1546