Fig. 1: Identification of an OCR in the middle of the HTLV-1 proviral genome with a suppressive function on the promoter activity of the HTLV-1 5′-LTR.
From: Intragenic viral silencer element regulates HTLV-1 latency via RUNX complex recruitment
a, Plasma viral RNA levels in HTLV-1- or HIV-1-infected individuals. Viral RNA copy numbers were evaluated by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and ddPCR for HTLV-1 and HIV-1, respectively. b, The transcriptional activity of HTLV-1 or HIV-1 5′-LTRs was assessed by luciferase (LUC) reporter assay in Jurkat T cells with their respective trans-activators (Tax and Tat). c–e, ATAC-seq signals in the provirus region (5′-LTR, OCR, CTCF, enhancer (Enh.) and 3′-LTR) of HTLV-1-infected Jurkat T cell clones (wt39 and wt51) and PBMCs from two patients with ATL (c), HIV-1-infected T cell lines (J1.1 and ACH2) with or without TNF stimulation (d) and PBMCs from three HIV-1-infected individuals (people living with HIV-1, PLWH) (e). f,g, Effect of the OCR or three randomly selected proviral regions on the 5′-LTR or the 3′-LTR promoter activity. Jurkat T cells were used for luciferase reporter assay 48 h after transfection (f). The directionality of the OCR did not change the effect on the 5′-LTR or the 3′-LTR promoter activity (g). At least two independent experiments were performed. The bars and error bars represent the mean ± s.d. of results in triplicate experiments. P values were calculated using a two-sided, unpaired Student’s t-test (NS, not significant).
