Immediate early gene 2 of human cytomegalovirus increases interleukin 2 receptor-alpha gene expression

Previously, we demonstrated that the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early 2 (IE2) gene product upregulates interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (IL-2R alpha) gene expression. To further define this effect, we used a series of IL-2R alpha promoter truncations to identify that the primary site of CMV IE2 act ivity was in the region between -281 and -273 of the IL-2R alpha promoter, an area without known transcription factor activity, Deletion of known tran scription factor enhancer elements resulted in a similar decrease in IE2-dr iven promoter activation. This unique sequence from the IL-2R alpha promote r was shown to drive a minimal promoter in the presence of IE2. These studi es identify a new transcription factor binding site in the IL-2R alpha prom oter, which may be specifically responsive to the CMV IE2 gene product. The se studies also suggest that one mechanism whereby CMV infection may result in organ transplant rejection is through increased IL-2R alpha expression.