The role of the adenovirus E1a region in transformation and oncogenesis

Abstract

In this summary we report results on the mechanism of suppression of class-I major histocompatibility complex genes by adenovirus (Ad) E1A and the role of region EIA in transformation of primary rat cells. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Suppression of class-I gene activity by Ad12 is caused by the switching off of gene expression. (2) All class-I loci are affected to the same extent, (3) Introduction of region E1A of Ad5 in Ad12-transformed cells causes reappearance of class-I expression. (4) A transfected class-I H-2 gene is also differentially regulated by Ad5 or Ad12 EIA. (5) The immortalizing activity of E1A is localized in the aminoterminal part of the E1A protein. (6) Region E1B does not seem to play a major role in transformation. Hence, region E1A is probably mainly responsible for this property.