The RNA stability regulator HuR regulates L1 protein expression in vivo in differentiating cervical epithelial cells

Cumming, S.A., Chuen-Im, T., Zhang, J. and Graham, S.V. (2009) The RNA stability regulator HuR regulates L1 protein expression in vivo in differentiating cervical epithelial cells. Virology, 383(1), pp. 142-149. (doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.%U 10.003)

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 and L2 capsid protein expression is restricted to the granular layer of infected, stratified epithelia and is regulated at least partly at post-transcriptional levels. For HPV16, a 79 nt late regulatory element (LRE) is involved in this control. Using W12 cells as a model for HPV16-infected differentiating cervical epithelial cells we show that HuR, a key cellular protein that controls mRNA stability, binds the LRE most efficiently in nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts of differentiated cells. Further, HuR binds the 3' U-rich portion of the LRE directly in vitro. Overexpression of HuR in undifferentiated W12 cells results in an increase in L1 mRNA and protein levels while siRNA knock-clown of HuR in differentiated W12 cells depletes L1 expression. In differentiated cervical epithelial cells HuR may bind and stabilise L1 mRNAs aiding translation of L1 protein.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Graham, Professor Sheila and Cumming, Dr Sarah
• Authors: Cumming, S.A., Chuen-Im, T., Zhang, J., and Graham, S.V.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Virology
• ISSN: 0042-6822