The polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1 interacts with the nuclear matrix regulatory protein YY1

Polyomavirus reaches the nucleus in a still encapsidated form, and the vira l genome is readily found in association with the nuclear matrix, This asso ciation is thought to be essential for viral replication. In order to ident ify the protein(s) involved in the virus-nuclear matrix interaction, we foc used on the possible roles exerted by the multifunctional cellular nuclear matrix protein Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and by the viral major capsid protein VP1, In the present work we report on the in vivo association between YY1 and VP 1, Using the yeast two-hybrid system we demonstrate that the VPI and YY1 pr oteins physically interact through the D-E region of VP1 and the activation domain of YY1. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.