Mechanisms involved in the establishment of HCMV latency are poorly understood, however, work in our laboratory has demonstrated the ULb' encoded protein, pUL138, as the first viral determinant to function in the establishment of HCMV latency in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). This work characterizes the transcripts that encode pUL138, identifies three novel ULb' proteins (pUL133, pUL135, and pUL136) and represents the first demonstration of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) mediated expression of pUL138. pUL138 is encoded on three polycistronic transcripts of 3.6-, 2.7- and 1.4-kb in length. pUL133, pUL135 and truncated pUL136, are expressed on the 3.6-, 2.7- and 1.4-kb transcripts, respectively, in addition to pUL138. We demonstrate that pUL138 expression is inducible from the IRES on the 3.6- and 2.7-kb transcripts under conditions of cellular stress, whereas pUL138 expression from the 1.4-kb transcript is inhibited under these same conditions. Differential utilization of the UL138 transcripts and their respective encoded proteins may regulate the outcome of viral infection in a cell type or cell context dependent manner. The interaction of these proteins during HCMV latency is the focus of ongoing research. In addition, this work represents preliminary data regarding the type I interferon (IFN) response during HCMV during productive infection in MRC5 fibroblasts and during the establishment of HCMV latency in CD34+ HPCs.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has an internal ribosomal binding site (IRES) located near the 5ʹ end of its genome. The HCV IRES is capable of direct binding to the 40S small ribosomal unit and eukaryotic initiation factor eIF3, and can initiate translation after the assembly of the whole 80S ribosome. Various molecular types can act as IRES inhibitors. Small molecule compounds seem to be the most promising agent for use in the clinic. The main objective of the thesis was to develop a system for searching for small molecule compound inhibitors of HCV IRES in a library of chemical compounds. Several variants of vector carrying bicistronic cassettes were prepared. After validating their functionality by transient transfection of mammalian cell cultures, mammalian stable cell lines were established. These stable cell lines will allow for automatization of the search for small molecule compound inhibitors of HCV IRES. Our second objective was to study the variability of HCV IRES sequences in patient samples. The samples were analysed by temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). Select specimen were sequenced, cloned into a vector with bicistronic cassette and analysed by flow cytometry. In this was we evaluated the effect of specific mutations in the HCV IRES sequence on the level of IRES dependent...

Candida albicans belongs to serious human opportunistic pathogens, causing severe health complications to immunocompromised patients. To my best knowledge, it is the only organism that survives with unmethylated cap structures found on the 5'ends of mRNA molecules. Using functional assay, I demonstrated that orf19.7626 codes for C. albicans translation initiation factor 4E (Ca4E). We couldn't prove our hypothesis, that Ca4E could be responsible for the unmethylated cap recognition in our model organism S. cerevisiae. Candida sp. possesses also another rather unusual feature - ambiguous CUG codon. In most of the cases, CUG is decoded as a serine, but sometimes also as a leucine. This gives rise to a so called "statistical proteome". One CUG codon is also part of the mRNA coding for Ca4E protein, therefore two versions of Ca4E-Ca4ELeu and Ca4ESer -might occur in C. albicans simultaneously. Both of them are able to rescue deletion of S. cerevisiae eIF4E gene, but they confer temperature sensitivity to the heterologous host. This phenotype is more pronounced with the Ca4ELeu version. We observed milder temperature sensitive phenotype after co-expression of Ca4E together with C. albicans eIF4G (Ca4G). Conformational coupling between eIF4E and eIF4G leads to enhanced affinity of eIF4E to the cap...

<p>Signaling pathways converge on the translation machinery and influence protein synthesis globally or specifically on certain classes of transcripts. The experiments described in this thesis focus on regulation of translation initiation through the cap-binding protein eIF4E. </p><p>Aberrant regulation of eIF4E has important roles in several pathologies and, most notably, in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the understanding of the molecular con-sequences of changes in eIF4E activity remains incomplete. We employ a cell-free system to demonstrate that eIF4E function is required for efficient cap-dependent translation but inhibitory for translation of both cellular and viral RNAs relying on cap-independent mechanisms. Furthermore, we show that phosphorylation of eIF4E favors cap-independent translation in vitro. </p><p>To verify that our findings in the cell-free system are representative of an in vivo system, we also analyzed growth of an oncolytic poliovirus, relying purely on cap-independent translation, in the context of varying activity of signaling pathways. Data obtained from this virus helps to confirm that phosphorylation of eIF4E does indeed result in increased cap-independent translation. Additionally, these experiments provide important information for the clinical application of this oncolytic poliovirus, as they help to explain virus specificity and might allow for rational patient selection.</p> / Dissertation

XIAP and Bcl-xL are critical anti-apoptotic molecules that directly inhibit caspases and block mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, respectively. In addition to preventing apoptosis, both XIAP and Bcl-xL can be generated by cap-independent translation via the utilization of an IRES in the 5'-UTR of their mRNAs. In recent years it has been shown that activation of S6K2 induces the translational upregulation of these two apoptotic regulators. Here I have determined that activation of S6K2 enhances IRES-mediated translation of XIAP and Bcl-xL by inducing the degradation of PDCD4, which I have identified as a novel regulator of XIAP and Bcl-xL IRES elements. Furthermore, I have shown that PDCD4 is a positive modulator of the Apaf-1 IRES element. The concurrent regulation of XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 by PDCD4 suggests a model in which the level of PDCD4 expression alters the apoptotic threshold by specifically impacting IRES-mediated translation of the XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 mRNAs.

XIAP and Bcl-xL are critical anti-apoptotic molecules that directly inhibit caspases and block mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, respectively. In addition to preventing apoptosis, both XIAP and Bcl-xL can be generated by cap-independent translation via the utilization of an IRES in the 5'-UTR of their mRNAs. In recent years it has been shown that activation of S6K2 induces the translational upregulation of these two apoptotic regulators. Here I have determined that activation of S6K2 enhances IRES-mediated translation of XIAP and Bcl-xL by inducing the degradation of PDCD4, which I have identified as a novel regulator of XIAP and Bcl-xL IRES elements. Furthermore, I have shown that PDCD4 is a positive modulator of the Apaf-1 IRES element. The concurrent regulation of XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 by PDCD4 suggests a model in which the level of PDCD4 expression alters the apoptotic threshold by specifically impacting IRES-mediated translation of the XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 mRNAs.

XIAP and Bcl-xL are critical anti-apoptotic molecules that directly inhibit caspases and block mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, respectively. In addition to preventing apoptosis, both XIAP and Bcl-xL can be generated by cap-independent translation via the utilization of an IRES in the 5'-UTR of their mRNAs. In recent years it has been shown that activation of S6K2 induces the translational upregulation of these two apoptotic regulators. Here I have determined that activation of S6K2 enhances IRES-mediated translation of XIAP and Bcl-xL by inducing the degradation of PDCD4, which I have identified as a novel regulator of XIAP and Bcl-xL IRES elements. Furthermore, I have shown that PDCD4 is a positive modulator of the Apaf-1 IRES element. The concurrent regulation of XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 by PDCD4 suggests a model in which the level of PDCD4 expression alters the apoptotic threshold by specifically impacting IRES-mediated translation of the XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 mRNAs.

The RNA-binding protein HuR controls key cellular processes by binding target mRNAs and regulating them at various post-transcriptional levels. HuR can function as an Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) trans-acting factor that regulates the IRES-mediated translation of XIAP. Since XIAP and Bcl-xL expression was reported to be co-regulated, we investigated whether HuR is also a regulat or of Bcl-xL expression. We found that HuR binds the 3’end of the Bcl-xL 5’UTR in-vitro. In U2OS cells, we showed that loss of HuR by siRNA significantly increased Bcl-xL protein expression while Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 levels remained unchanged. We found that the HuR-dependent Bcl-xL increase was through translation, shown by polysome profiling. Possible transcriptional, stability and splicing changes were eliminated. At the physiological level HuR levels did not impact cell survival but altered mitochondrial morphology, partially through Bcl-xL. Thus, HuR may be involved in maintaining proper mitochondrial function by controlling Bcl-xL expression.

En dépit des avancées considérables dans les traitements pharmacologiques et chirurgicaux de l'ischémie critique des membres inférieurs et de l'insuffisance cardiaque ischémique, ces pathologies demeurent un problème majeur de santé publique. La thérapie génique angiogénique est apparue comme une approche attractive pour restaurer la perfusion du tissu ischémique alors que le transfert de gènes non angiogéniques permet de rétablir la fonction contractile cardiaque. Cependant la thérapie génique utilisant un seul gène thérapeutique a produit jusque là des résultats modestes en clinique; la thérapie combinée apparaît alors comme une stratégie plus prometteuse. L'efficacité de la thérapie génique nécessite des vecteurs de transfert de gènes optimisés, notamment pour fonctionner dans des conditions de stress où la traduction de la majorité des ARNm cellulaires est bloquée. En réponse au stress, un petit nombre d'ARNm est traduit par un mécanisme alternatif impliquant des IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site), éléments structurels des ARNm pouvant être considérés comme des activateurs traductionnels. Les IRES constituent de plus des outils biotechnologiques permettant de construire des cassettes d'expression dites "multicistroniques" exprimant des combinaisons de molécules thérapeutiques. La première étape de ma thèse a porté sur l'étude de la régulation de l'IRES du FGF1 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 1), identifié au laboratoire pour sa forte activité dans les cellules musculaires qui en fait un outil de choix pour le transfert de gènes dans le muscle squelettique ou cardiaque. Cette partie plus fondamentale nous a amenés à identifier deux protéines liées à l'IRES et au promoteur : hnRNPM et p54nrb. L'inhibition et la surexpression de ces protéines ont permis de démontrer qu'elles activent la traduction IRES-dépendante au cours de la différenciation myoblastique, et ce, de façon promoteur-dépendante. La seconde étape a été de développer, grâce à l'IRES du FGF1, un AAV (adeno-associated vector) exprimant deux facteurs angiogéniques ayant une activité synergique: FGF2 et Cyr61. Ce vecteur viral a été testé dans un modèle murin d'ischémie de la patte. Les résultats ont montré que l'AAV FGF2-Cyr61 présente un bénéfice thérapeutique important lorsqu'il est injecté à un animal ischémique, mais produit un effet délétère s'il est injecté plusieurs semaines avant la mise en place de l'ischémie. La troisième étape qui est le cœur de cette thèse a été de développer une série de lentivecteurs mono-, bi- et tricistroniques exprimant différentes molécules pro-angiogéniques et cardio-protectrices : FGF2, Cyr61, apeline et SERCA2a. Ces vecteurs ont été injectés en phase aiguë de l'infarctus du myocarde chez la souris afin d'étudier leur potentiel thérapeutique sur l'insuffisance cardiaque chronique qui se développe après plusieurs semaines. Les résultats indiquent que le lentivecteur apeline-FGF2-SERCA2a engendre un bénéfice thérapeutique significativement supérieur à celui des autres lentivecteurs testés. En particulier, les analyses échocardiographiques et d'immuno-histochimie ont permis de mettre en évidence une amélioration de la fonction contractile, une augmentation de l'angiogenèse et une diminution du remodelage cardiaque. Cette combinaison présente donc un potentiel prometteur en vue d'un essai clinique. D'autre part, une autre combinaison produisant trois facteurs sécrétés, apeline, FGF2 et Cyr61, démontre une activité très significative sur la tubulogenèse de cellules endothéliales in vitro à partir de milieux conditionnés de cardiomyocytes transduits. Ce résultat a ouvert la perspective d'augmenter l'effet thérapeutique de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM) lors de l'ischémie cardiaque, en modifiant génétiquement ces CSM à l'aide du lentivecteur angiogénique apeline-FGF2-Cyr61. / Despite of considerable advances in the pharmacological and surgical treatments of critical limb ischemia and ischemic heart failure, these pathologies remain an important problem of public health. Angiogenic gene therapy appears as an attractive approach to restore ischemic tissue perfusion whereas non-angiogenic gene transfer allows improvement of cardiac contractile function. However, gene therapy using only one therapeutic gene has delivered poor results in clinical studies; combined gene therapy appears then as a more promising strategy. Gene therapy efficacy needs optimized gene transfer vectors, particularly in stress conditions where translation of the majority of cellular mRNAs is blocked. In response to stress, a small number of mRNAs is translated by an alternative mechanism involving IRESs (Internal Ribosome Entry Sites), structural elements of mRNAs that can be considered as translational enhancers. Moreover IRESs constitute biotechnological tools to design "multicistronic" cassettes, expressing combinations of therapeutic molecules. The first step of my thesis has been to study the regulation of the FGF1 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 1) IRES identified in the lab for its strong activity in muscular cells. This feature makes it a choice tool for gene transfer in skeletal or cardiac muscle. This more fundamental part led us to identify two proteins associated to the FGF1 IRES and promoter: hnRNPM and p54nrb. Knock-down or overexpression of these proteins showed that they activate IRES-dependent translation during myoblast differentiation, and in a promoter-dependent manner. The second step has been to develop, using the FGF1 IRES, an AAV (adeno-associated vector) expressing two angiogenic factors showing a synergistic activity: FGF2 and Cyr61. This viral vector has been assessed in a murin model of hind limb ischemia. Results show that the AAV expressing FGF2 and Cyr61 generates an important therapeutic benefit when injected to an ischemic animal, but produces a deleterious effect when injected several weeks before the development of ischemia. The third step, which is the heart of this thesis, was to develop a series of mono-, bi- and tricistronic lentivectors expressing different pro-angiogenic and cardio-protective molecules: FGF2, Cyr61, Apelin and Serca2a. Those vectors have been injected in acute phase of myocardium infarction in mice, in order to study their therapeutic potential on chronic heart failure developping after a few weeks. Results indicate that the Apelin-FGF2-Serca2a lentivector generates a therapeutic benefit significantly higher than the other tested lentivectors. In particular, echocardiography and immunohistochemistry analyses enabled us to highlight an improvement of contractile function, angiogenesis and a decrease of heart failure. This therapeutic combination presents a promising potential for clinical trial. Furthermore, another combination producing three secreted factors, Apelin, FGF2 and Cyr61, shows a significant stimulation of endothelial cell tubulogenesis in vitro from transduced cardiomyocytes conditioned medium. This result opens the perspective of enhancing the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells in heart ischemia, by genetically modifying those MSCs with the Apelin-FGF2-Cyr61 angiogenic lentivector.

XIAP and Bcl-xL are critical anti-apoptotic molecules that directly inhibit caspases and block mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, respectively. In addition to preventing apoptosis, both XIAP and Bcl-xL can be generated by cap-independent translation via the utilization of an IRES in the 5'-UTR of their mRNAs. In recent years it has been shown that activation of S6K2 induces the translational upregulation of these two apoptotic regulators. Here I have determined that activation of S6K2 enhances IRES-mediated translation of XIAP and Bcl-xL by inducing the degradation of PDCD4, which I have identified as a novel regulator of XIAP and Bcl-xL IRES elements. Furthermore, I have shown that PDCD4 is a positive modulator of the Apaf-1 IRES element. The concurrent regulation of XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 by PDCD4 suggests a model in which the level of PDCD4 expression alters the apoptotic threshold by specifically impacting IRES-mediated translation of the XIAP, Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 mRNAs.