AP-1 and ATF-2 are constitutively activated via the JNK pathway in Theileria parva-transformed T-cells.

Bovine T-cells infected by the protozoan parasite Theileria parva undergo lymphoblastoid transformation, and proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. While it has been established that the transcription factor NF-kappa B is constitutively activated in T. parva-infected T-cells, little is known about other transcription factors such as AP-1 and ATF-2. We demonstrated increased binding activity to the AP-1 and CREB/ATF-2 consensus binding sites and show that the AP-1 complex is composed of c-Jun, JunD, c-Fos, and ATF-2. The transcription factors c-Jun and ATF-2 are constitutively phosphorylated in a parasite-dependent manner. Both transcription factors can be phosphorylated by jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), but ATF-2 is also a substrate for p38. We determined whether p38 is activated in T. parva-infected cells. Immunoblot analysis and inhibitor studies indicate that JNK, but not p38, is involved in ATF-2 phosphorylation. Based on these results and previous studies, we conclude that parasite interference with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways is restricted to constitutive activation of JNK.