scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Escapes from RNA Interference-Mediated Inhibition

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 2601-2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atze T. Das ◽  
Thijn R. Brummelkamp ◽  
Ellen M. Westerhout ◽  
Monique Vink ◽  
Mandy Madiredjo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Short-term assays have suggested that RNA interference (RNAi) may be a powerful new method for intracellular immunization against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, RNAi has not yet been shown to protect cells against HIV-1 in long-term virus replication assays. We stably introduced vectors expressing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against the HIV-1 genome into human T cells by retroviral transduction. We report here that an siRNA directed against the viral Nef gene (siRNA-Nef) confers resistance to HIV-1 replication. This block in replication is not absolute, and HIV-1 escape variants that were no longer inhibited by siRNA-Nef appeared after several weeks of culture. These RNAi-resistant viruses contained nucleotide substitutions or deletions in the Nef gene that modified or deleted the siRNA-Nef target sequence. These results demonstrate that efficient inhibition of HIV-1 replication through RNAi is possible in stably transduced cells. Therefore, RNAi could become a realistic gene therapy approach with which to overcome the devastating effect of HIV-1 on the immune system. However, as is known for antiviral drug therapy against HIV-1, antiviral approaches involving RNAi should be used in a combined fashion to prevent the emergence of resistant viruses.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Escape from RNA Interference

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (21) ◽  
pp. 11531-11535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Boden ◽  
Oliver Pusch ◽  
Frederick Lee ◽  
Lynne Tucker ◽  
Bharat Ramratnam
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Viral Genome ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Sequence-specific degradation of mRNA by short interfering RNA (siRNA) allows the selective inhibition of viral proteins that are critical for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. The aim of this study was to characterize the potency and durability of virus-specific RNA interference (RNAi) in cell lines that stably express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the HIV-1 transactivator protein gene tat. We found that the antiviral activity of tat shRNA was abolished due to the emergence of viral quasispecies harboring a point mutation in the shRNA target region. Our results suggest that, in order for RNAi to durably suppress HIV-1 replication, it may be necessary to target highly conserved regions of the viral genome. Alternatively, similar to present antiviral drug therapy paradigms, DNA constructs expressing multiple siRNAs need to be developed that target different regions of the viral genome, thereby reducing the probability of generating escape mutants.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Escape Is Restricted When Conserved Genome Sequences Are Targeted by RNA Interference

2007 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 2895-2903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Jasmijn von Eije ◽  
Olivier ter Brake ◽  
Ben Berkhout
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism in which small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) mediate sequence-specific gene silencing by cleaving the targeted mRNA. RNAi can be used as an antiviral approach to silence the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) through stable expression of short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). We previously reported efficient HIV-1 inhibition by an shRNA against the nonessential nef gene but also described viral escape by mutation or deletion of the nef target sequence. The objective of this study was to obtain insight in the viral escape routes when essential and highly conserved sequences are targeted in the Gag, protease, integrase, and Tat-Rev regions of HIV-1. Target sequences were analyzed of more than 500 escape viruses that were selected in T cells expressing individual shRNAs. Viruses acquired single point mutations, occasionally secondary mutations, but—in contrast to what is observed with nef—no deletions were detected. Mutations occurred predominantly at target positions 6, 8, 9, 14, and 15, whereas none were selected at positions 1, 2, 5, 18, and 19. We also analyzed the type of mismatch in the siRNA-target RNA duplex, and G-U base pairs were frequently selected. These results provide insight into the sequence requirements for optimal RNAi inhibition. This knowledge on RNAi escape may guide the design and selection of shRNAs for the development of an effective RNAi therapy for HIV-1 infections.

scholarly journals RNA Interference Directed against Viral and Cellular Targets Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (24) ◽  
pp. 12963-12973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama M. Surabhi ◽  
Richard B. Gaynor
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression is regulated by both cellular transcription factors and Tat. The ability of Tat to stimulate transcriptional elongation is dependent on its binding to TAR RNA in conjunction with cyclin T1 and CDK9. A variety of other cellular factors that bind to the HIV-1 long terminal repeat, including NF-κB, SP1, LBP, and LEF, are also important in the control of HIV-1 gene expression. Although these factors have been demonstrated to regulate HIV-1 gene expression by both genetic and biochemical analysis, in most cases a direct in vivo demonstration of their role on HIV-1 replication has not been established. Recently, the efficacy of RNA interference in mammalian cells has been shown utilizing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to result in the specific degradation of host mRNAs and decreases the levels of their corresponding proteins. In this study, we addressed whether siRNAs directed against either HIV-1 tat or reverse transcriptase or the NF-κB p65 subunit could specifically decrease the levels of these proteins and thus alter HIV-1 replication. Our results demonstrate the specificity of siRNAs for decreasing the expression of these viral and cellular proteins and inhibiting HIV-1 replication. These studies suggest that RNA interference is useful in exploring the biological role of cellular and viral regulatory factors involved in the control of HIV-1 gene expression.

scholarly journals Viral RNA Is Required for the Association of APOBEC3G with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleoprotein Complexes

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 5870-5874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Khan ◽  
Sandra Kao ◽  
Eri Miyagi ◽  
Hiroaki Takeuchi ◽  
Ritu Goila-Gaur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Cytidine Deaminase ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Nucleoprotein Complexes ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT APOBEC3G (APO3G) is a host cytidine deaminase that is incorporated into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles. We report here that viral RNA promotes stable association of APO3G with HIV-1 nucleoprotein complexes (NPC). A target sequence located within the 5′-untranslated region of the HIV-1 RNA was identified to be necessary and sufficient for efficient APO3G packaging. Fine mapping revealed a sequence normally involved in viral genomic RNA dimerization and Gag binding to be important for APO3G packaging and association with viral NPC. Our data suggest that packaging of APO3G into HIV-1 NPC is enhanced by viral RNA.

scholarly journals Functional Analysis of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Rev Protein Oligomerization Interface

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 2935-2944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Thomas ◽  
Martin Oft ◽  
Herbert Jaksche ◽  
Georg Casari ◽  
Peter Heger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Surface Patch ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Rev Response Element ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) structural proteins requires the action of the viraltrans-regulatory protein Rev. Rev is a nuclear shuttle protein that directly binds to its cis-acting Rev response element (RRE) RNA target sequence. Subsequent oligomerization of Rev monomers on the RRE and interaction of Rev with a cellular cofactor(s) result in the cytoplasmic accumulation of RRE-containing viral mRNAs. Moreover, Rev by itself is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Although it has been demonstrated that Rev multimerization is critically required for Rev activity and hence for HIV-1 replication, the number of Rev monomers required to form atrans-activation-competent complex on the RRE is unknown. Here we report a systematic analysis of the putative multimerization domains within the Rev trans-activator protein. We identify the amino acid residues which are part of the proposed single hydrophobic surface patch in the Rev amino terminus that mediates intermolecular interactions. Furthermore, we show that the expression of a multimerization-deficient Rev mutant blocks HIV-1 replication in a trans-dominant (dominant-negative) fashion.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Induced Macrophage Gene Expression Includes the p21 Gene, a Target for Viral Regulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 4479-4491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Vázquez ◽  
Teresa Greenwell-Wild ◽  
Nancy J. Marinos ◽  
William D. Swaim ◽  
Salvador Nares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT In contrast to CD4+ T cells, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected macrophages typically resist cell death, support viral replication, and consequently, may facilitate HIV-1 transmission. To elucidate how the virus commandeers the macrophage's intracellular machinery for its benefit, we analyzed HIV-1-infected human macrophages for virus-induced gene transcription by using multiple parameters, including cDNA expression arrays. HIV-1 infection induced the transcriptional regulation of genes associated with host defense, signal transduction, apoptosis, and the cell cycle, among which the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A/p21) gene was the most prominent. p21 mRNA and protein expression followed a bimodal pattern which was initially evident during the early stages of infection, and maximum levels occurred concomitant with active HIV-1 replication. Mechanistically, viral protein R (Vpr) independently regulates p21 expression, consistent with the reduced viral replication and lack of p21 upregulation by a Vpr-negative virus. Moreover, the treatment of macrophages with p21 antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNAs reduced HIV-1 infection. In addition, the synthetic triterpenoid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligand, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO), which is known to influence p21 expression, suppressed viral replication. These data implicate p21 as a pivotal macrophage facilitator of the viral life cycle. Moreover, regulators of p21, such as CDDO, may provide an interventional approach to modulate HIV-1 replication.

scholarly journals Identification of a Key Target Sequence To Block Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication within thegag-pol Transframe Domain

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 4621-4633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shizuko Sei ◽  
Quan-en Yang ◽  
Dennis O'Neill ◽  
Kazuhisa Yoshimura ◽  
Kunio Nagashima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Viral Protease ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Although the full sequence of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome has been known for more than a decade, effective genetic antivirals have yet to be developed. Here we show that, of 22 regions examined, one highly conserved sequence (ACTCTTTGGCAACGA) near the 3′ end of the HIV-1 gag-poltransframe region, encoding viral protease residues 4 to 8 and a C-terminal Vpr-binding motif of p6Gag protein in two different reading frames, can be successfully targeted by an antisense peptide nucleic acid oligomer named PNAPR2. A disrupted translation of gag-pol mRNA induced at the PNAPR2-annealing site resulted in a decreased synthesis of Pr160Gag-Pol polyprotein, hence the viral protease, a predominant expression of Pr55Gag devoid of a fully functional p6Gag protein, and the excessive intracellular cleavage of Gag precursor proteins, hindering the processes of virion assembly. Treatment with PNAPR2abolished virion production by up to 99% in chronically HIV-1-infected H9 cells and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with clinical HIV-1 isolates with the multidrug-resistant phenotype. This particular segment of the gag-pol transframe gene appears to offer a distinctive advantage over other regions in invading viral structural genes and restraining HIV-1 replication in infected cells and may potentially be exploited as a novel antiviral genetic target.

scholarly journals Sequence Homology Required by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 To Escape from Short Interfering RNAs

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 571-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Sabariegos ◽  
Mireia Giménez-Barcons ◽  
Natalia Tàpia ◽  
Bonaventura Clotet ◽  
Miguel Angel Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting viral or cellular genes can efficiently inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. Nevertheless, the emergence of mutations in the gene being targeted could lead to the rapid escape from the siRNA. Here, we simulate viral escape by systematically introducing single-nucleotide substitutions in all 19 HIV-1 residues targeted by an effective siRNA. We found that all mutant viruses that were tested replicated better in the presence of the siRNA than in the presence of the wild-type virus. The antiviral activity of the siRNA was completely abolished by single substitutions in 10 (positions 4 to 11, 14, and 15) out of 16 positions tested (substitution at 3 of the 19 positions explored rendered nonviable viruses). With the exception of the substitution observed at position 12, substitutions at either the 5′ end or the 3′ end (positions 1 to 3, 16, and 18) were better tolerated by the RNA interference machinery and only in part affected siRNA inhibition. Our results show that optimal HIV-1 gene silencing by siRNA requires a complete homology within most of the target sequence and that substitutions at only a few positions at the 5′ and 3′ ends are partially tolerated.

scholarly journals N-Myristoyltransferase isozymes exhibit differential specificity for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag and Nef

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 288-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly E. Seaton ◽  
Charles D. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

Myristoylation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proteins Gag and Nef by N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is a key process in retroviral replication and virulence, yet remains incompletely characterized. Therefore, the roles of the two isozymes, NMT1 and NMT2, in myristoylating Gag and Nef were examined using biochemical and molecular approaches. Fluorescently labelled peptides corresponding to the N terminus of HIV-1 Gag or Nef were myristoylated by recombinant human NMT1 and NMT2. Kinetic analyses indicated that NMT1 and NMT2 had 30- and 130-fold lower K m values for Nef than Gag, respectively. Values for K cat indicated that, once Gag or Nef binds to the enzyme, myristoylation by NMT1 and NMT2 proceeds at comparable rates. Furthermore, the catalytic efficiencies for the processing of Gag by NMT1 and NMT2 were equivalent. In contrast, NMT2 had approximately 5-fold higher catalytic efficiency for the myristoylation of Nef than NMT1. Competition experiments confirmed that the Nef peptide acts as a competitive inhibitor for the myristoylation of Gag. Experiments using full-length recombinant Nef protein also indicated a lower K m for Nef myristoylation by NMT2 than NMT1. Small interfering RNAs were used to selectively deplete NMT1 and/or NMT2 from HEK293T cells expressing a recombinant Nef–sgGFP fusion protein. Depletion of NMT1 had minimal effect on the intracellular distribution of Nef–sgGFP, whereas depletion of NMT2 altered distribution to a diffuse, widespread pattern, mimicking that of a myristoylation-deficient mutant of Nef–sgGFP. Together, these findings indicate that Nef is preferentially myristoylated by NMT2, suggesting that selective inhibition of NMT2 may provide a novel means of blocking HIV virulence.

scholarly journals Selective Pressures of HLA Genotypes and Antiviral Therapy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Sequence Mutation at a Population Level

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1266-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Golo Ahlenstiel ◽  
Kirsten Roomp ◽  
Martin Däumer ◽  
Jacob Nattermann ◽  
Martin Vogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Protease Gene ◽  
Hla Genotypes ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was a comprehensive analysis of the immune-driven evolution of viruses of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clade B in a large patient cohort treated at a single hospital in Germany and its implications for antiretroviral therapy. We examined the association of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles with the emergence of mutations in the complete protease gene and the first 330 codons of the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene of HIV-1, studying their distribution and persistence and their impact on antiviral drug therapy. The clinical data for 179 HIV-infected patients, the results of HLA genotyping, and virus sequences were analyzed using a variety of statistical approaches. We describe new HLA-associated mutations in both viral protease and RT, several of which are associated with HLA-DRB1. The mutations reported are remarkably persistent within our cohort, developing more slowly in a minority of patients. Interestingly, several HLA-associated mutations occur at the same positions as drug resistance mutations in patient viruses, where the viral sequence was acquired before exposure to these drugs. The influence of HLA on thymidine analogue mutation pathways was not observed. We were able to confirm immune-driven selection pressure by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II alleles through the identification of HLA-associated mutations. HLA-B alleles were involved in more associations (68%) than either HLA-A (23%) or HLA-DRB1 (9%). As several of the HLA-associated mutations lie at positions associated with drug resistance, our results indicate possible negative effects of HLA genotypes on the development of HIV-1 drug resistance.

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