scholarly journals A Conserved uORF Regulates APOBEC3G Translation and Is Targeted by HIV-1 Vif Protein to Repress the Antiviral Factor

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Camille Libre ◽  
Tanja Seissler ◽  
Santiago Guerrero ◽  
Julien Batisse ◽  
Cédric Verriez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Leaky Scanning ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Translation Inhibition ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

The HIV-1 Vif protein is essential for viral fitness and pathogenicity. Vif decreases expression of cellular restriction factors APOBEC3G (A3G), A3F, A3D and A3H, which inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing hypermutation during reverse transcription. Vif counteracts A3G at several levels (transcription, translation, and protein degradation) that altogether reduce the levels of A3G in cells and prevent its incorporation into viral particles. How Vif affects A3G translation remains unclear. Here, we uncovered the importance of a short conserved uORF (upstream ORF) located within two critical stem-loop structures of the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) of A3G mRNA for this process. A3G translation occurs through a combination of leaky scanning and translation re-initiation and the presence of an intact uORF decreases the extent of global A3G translation under normal conditions. Interestingly, the uORF is also absolutely required for Vif-mediated translation inhibition and redirection of A3G mRNA into stress granules. Overall, we discovered that A3G translation is regulated by a small uORF conserved in the human population and that Vif uses this specific feature to repress its translation.

scholarly journals A conserved uORF impacts APOBEC3G translation and is essential for translational inhibition by the HIV-1 Vif protein

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Libre ◽  
Tanja Seissler ◽  
Santiago Guerrero ◽  
Julien Batisse ◽  
Cédric Verriez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Leaky Scanning ◽  
Initiation Mechanism ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTThe HIV-1 Vif protein is essential for viral fitness and pathogenicity. Vif decreases expression of cellular cytosine deaminases APOBEC3G (A3G), A3F, A3D and A3H, which inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing hypermutations during reverse transcription. Vif counteracts A3G by several non-redundant mechanisms (transcription, translation and protein degradation) that concur in reducing the levels of A3G in cell and in preventing its incorporation into viral particles. How Vif affects A3G translation remains unclear. Here, we uncovered the importance of a short conserved uORF (upstream ORF) located within two critical stem-loop structures of the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of A3G mRNA. Extensive mutagenesis of A3G 5′-UTR, combined with an analysis of their translational effect in transfected cells, indicated that the uORF represses A3G translation and that A3G mRNA is translated through a dual leaky-scanning and re-initiation mechanism. Interestingly, the uORF is also mandatory for the Vif-mediated repression of A3G translation. Furthermore, we showed that the redirection of A3G mRNA into stress granules was dependent not only on Vif, but also on the uORF. Overall, we discovered that A3G translation is regulated by a small uORF conserved in the human population and that Vif uses this specific motif to repress its translation.

scholarly journals Divergence in dimerization and activity of primate APOBEC3C

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Gaba ◽  
Mark A Hix ◽  
Sana Suhail ◽  
Ben Flath ◽  
Brock Boysan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
World Monkey ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Cytidine Deaminases ◽  
Host Restriction ◽  
Dimerization Interface ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

The APOBEC3 (A3) family of single-stranded DNA cytidine deaminases are host restriction factors that inhibit lentiviruses, such as HIV-1, in the absence of the Vif protein that causes their degradation. Deamination of cytidine in HIV-1 (-)DNA forms uracil that causes inactivating mutations when uracil is used as a template for (+)DNA synthesis. For APOBEC3C (A3C), the chimpanzee and gorilla orthologues are more active than human A3C, and the Old World Monkey A3C from rhesus macaque (rh) is not active against HIV-1. Multiple integrated analyses determined why rhA3C was not active against HIV-1 and how to increase this activity. Biochemical, virological, and coevolutionary analyses combined with molecular dynamics simulations showed that the key amino acids needed to promote rhA3C antiviral activity also promoted dimerization. Although rhA3C shares a similar dimer interface with hominid A3C, the key amino acid contacts were different. Overall, our results determine the basis for why rhA3C is less active than human A3C, establish the amino acid network for dimerization and increased activity, and track the loss and gain of A3C antiviral activity in primates. The coevolutionary analysis of the A3C dimerization interface provides a basis from which to analyze dimerization interfaces of other A3 family members.

scholarly journals Constitutive Siglec-1 expression confers susceptibility to HIV-1 infection of human dendritic cell precursors

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (43) ◽  
pp. 21685-21693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Ruffin ◽  
Ester Gea-Mallorquí ◽  
Flavien Brouiller ◽  
Mabel Jouve ◽  
Aymeric Silvin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Dendritic Cell ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Functional Feature ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Intracellular Compartments ◽  
Functional Features ◽  
Hiv 1

The human dendritic cell (DC) lineage has recently been unraveled by high-dimensional mapping, revealing the existence of a discrete new population of blood circulating DC precursors (pre-DCs). Whether this new DC population possesses specific functional features as compared to the other blood DC subset upon pathogen encounter remained to be evaluated. A unique feature of pre-DCs among blood DCs is their constitutive expression of the viral adhesion receptor Siglec-1. Here, we show that pre-DCs, but not other blood DC subsets, are susceptible to infection by HIV-1 in a Siglec-1–dependent manner. Siglec-1 mediates pre-DC infection of CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic strains. Infection of pre-DCs is further enhanced in the presence of HIV-2/SIVmac Vpx, indicating that Siglec-1 does not counteract restriction factors such as SAMHD1. Instead, Siglec-1 promotes attachment and fusion of viral particles. HIV-1–infected pre-DCs produce new infectious viral particles that accumulate in intracellular compartments reminiscent of the virus-containing compartment of macrophages. Pre-DC activation by toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands induces an antiviral state that inhibits HIV-1 fusion and infection, but Siglec-1 remains functional and mediates replication-independent transfer of HIV-1 to activated primary T lymphocytes. Altogether, Siglec-1–mediated susceptibility to HIV-1 infection of pre-DCs constitutes a unique functional feature that might represent a preferential relationship of this emerging cell type with viruses.

scholarly journals Unpaired Guanosines in the 5′ Untranslated Region of HIV-1 RNA Act Synergistically To Mediate Genome Packaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga A. Nikolaitchik ◽  
Xayathed Somoulay ◽  
Jonathan M. O. Rawson ◽  
Jennifer A. Yoo ◽  
Vinay K. Pathak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Rna Packaging ◽  
Genome Packaging ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Rna Genome ◽  
Genome Encapsidation ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The viral protein Gag selects full-length HIV-1 RNA from a large pool of mRNAs as virion genome during virus assembly. Currently, the precise mechanism that mediates the genome selection is not understood. Previous studies have identified several sites in the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of HIV-1 RNA that are bound by nucleocapsid (NC) protein, which is derived from Gag during virus maturation. However, whether these NC binding sites direct HIV-1 RNA genome packaging has not been fully investigated. In this report, we examined the roles of single-stranded exposed guanosines at NC binding sites in RNA genome packaging using stable cell lines expressing competing wild-type and mutant HIV-1 RNAs. Mutant RNA packaging efficiencies were determined by comparing their prevalences in cytoplasmic RNA and in virion RNA. We observed that multiple NC binding sites affected RNA packaging; of the sites tested, those located within stem-loop 1 of the 5′ UTR had the most significant effects. These sites were previously reported as the primary NC binding sites by using a chemical probe reverse-footprinting assay and as the major Gag binding sites by using an in vitro assay. Of the mutants tested in this report, substituting 3 to 4 guanosines resulted in <2-fold defects in packaging. However, when mutations at different NC binding sites were combined, severe defects were observed. Furthermore, combining the mutations resulted in synergistic defects in RNA packaging, suggesting redundancy in Gag-RNA interactions and a requirement for multiple Gag binding on viral RNA during HIV-1 genome encapsidation. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 must package its RNA genome during virus assembly to generate infectious viruses. To better understand how HIV-1 packages its RNA genome, we examined the roles of RNA elements identified as binding sites for NC, a Gag-derived RNA-binding protein. Our results demonstrate that binding sites within stem-loop 1 of the 5′ untranslated region play important roles in genome packaging. Although mutating one or two NC-binding sites caused only mild defects in packaging, mutating multiple sites resulted in severe defects in genome encapsidation, indicating that unpaired guanosines act synergistically to promote packaging. Our results suggest that Gag-RNA interactions occur at multiple RNA sites during genome packaging; furthermore, there are functionally redundant binding sites in viral RNA.

scholarly journals Interactions of host APOBEC3 restriction factors with HIV-1 in vivo: implications for therapeutics

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Albin ◽  
Reuben S. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Cytidine Deaminases ◽  
Virion Infectivity Factor ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Viral Cdna ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Apobec3 Proteins ◽  
In Vivo Effects ◽  
Hiv 1

Restriction factors are natural cellular proteins that defend individual cells from viral infection. These factors include the APOBEC3 family of DNA cytidine deaminases, which restrict the infectivity of HIV-1 by hypermutating viral cDNA and inhibiting reverse transcription and integration. HIV-1 thwarts this restriction activity through its accessory protein virion infectivity factor (Vif), which uses multiple mechanisms to prevent APOBEC3 proteins such as APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F from entering viral particles. Here, we review the basic biology of the interactions between human APOBEC3 proteins and HIV-1 Vif. We also summarise, for the first time, current clinical data on the in vivo effects of APOBEC3 proteins, and survey strategies and progress towards developing therapeutics aimed at the APOBEC3–Vif axis.

scholarly journals Vif of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus from Domestic Cats Protects against APOBEC3 Restriction Factors from Many Felids

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (14) ◽  
pp. 7312-7324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Zielonka ◽  
Daniela Marino ◽  
Henning Hofmann ◽  
Naoya Yuhki ◽  
Martin Löchelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Cytidine Deaminases ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Specific Restriction ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT To get more insight into the role of APOBEC3 (A3) cytidine deaminases in the species-specific restriction of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) of the domestic cat, we tested the A3 proteins present in big cats (puma, lion, tiger, and lynx). These A3 proteins were analyzed for expression and sensitivity to the Vif protein of FIV. While A3Z3s and A3Z2-Z3s inhibited Δvif FIV, felid A3Z2s did not show any antiviral activity against Δvif FIV or wild-type (wt) FIV. All felid A3Z3s and A3Z2-Z3s were sensitive to Vif of the domestic cat FIV. Vif also induced depletion of felid A3Z2s. Tiger A3s showed a moderate degree of resistance against the Vif-mediated counter defense. These findings may imply that the A3 restriction system does not play a major role to prevent domestic cat FIV transmission to other Felidae. In contrast to the sensitive felid A3s, many nonfelid A3s actively restricted wt FIV replication. To test whether VifFIV can protect also the distantly related human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), a chimeric HIV-1.VifFIV was constructed. This HIV-1.VifFIV was replication competent in nonpermissive feline cells expressing human CD4/CCR5 that did not support the replication of wt HIV-1. We conclude that the replication of HIV-1 in some feline cells is inhibited only by feline A3 restriction factors and the absence of the appropriate receptor or coreceptor.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Adapts To Replicate in Cells Expressing Common Marmoset APOBEC3G and BST2

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 725-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Fernández-Oliva ◽  
Andrés Finzi ◽  
Hillel Haim ◽  
Luis Menéndez-Arias ◽  
Joseph Sodroski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Common Marmoset ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Common Marmosets ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown that a major block to HIV-1 replication in common marmosets operates at the level of viral entry and that this block can be overcome by adaptation of the virus in tissue-cultured cells. However, our current studies indicate that HIV-1 encounters additional postentry blocks in common marmoset peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Here, we show that the common marmoset APOBEC3G (A3G) and BST2 proteins block HIV-1 in cell cultures. Using a directed-evolution method that takes advantage of the natural ability of HIV-1 to mutate during replication, we have been able to overcome these blocks in tissue-cultured cells. In the adapted viruses, specific changes were observed ingag,vif,env, andnef. The contribution of these changes to virus replication in the presence of the A3G and BST2 restriction factors was studied. We found that certain amino acid changes in Vif and Env that arise during adaptation to marmoset A3G and BST2 allow the virus to replicate in the presence of these restriction factors. The changes in Vif reduce expression levels and encapsidation of marmoset APOBEC3G, while the changes in Env increase viral fitness and discretely favor cell-to-cell transmission of the virus, allowing viral escape from these restriction factors.IMPORTANCEHIV-1 can infect only humans and chimpanzees. The main reason for this narrow tropism is the presence in many species of dominant-acting factors, known as restriction factors, that block viral replication in a species-specific way. We have been exploring the blocks to HIV-1 in common marmosets, with the ultimate goal of developing a new animal model of HIV-1 infection in these monkeys. In this study, we observed that common marmoset APOBEC3G and BST2, two known restriction factors, are able to block HIV-1 in cell cultures. We have adapted HIV-1 to replicate in the presence of these restriction factors and have characterized the mechanisms of escape. These studies can help in the development of a novel animal model forin vivoinfection of marmosets with HIV-1-like viruses.

scholarly journals APOBEC3 versus Retroviruses, Immunity versus Invasion: Clash of the Titans

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Sheehy ◽  
Julie Erthal
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Defense Proteins ◽  
Tremendous Amount ◽  
Unexpected Findings ◽  
And Function ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

Since the identification of APOBEC3G (A3G) as a potent restriction factor of HIV-1, a tremendous amount of effort has led to a broadened understanding of both A3G and the APOBEC3 (A3) family to which it belongs. In spite of the fine-tuned viral counterattack to A3 activity, in the form of the HIV-1 Vif protein, enthusiasm for leveraging the Vif : A3G axis as a point of clinical intervention remains high. In an impressive explosion of information over the last decade, additional A3 family members have been identified as antiviral proteins, mechanistic details of the restrictive capacity of these proteins have been elucidated, structure-function studies have revealed important molecular details of the Vif : A3G interaction, and clinical cohorts have been scrutinized for correlations between A3 expression and function and viral pathogenesis. In the last year, novel and unexpected findings regarding the role of A3G in immunity have refocused efforts on exploring the potential of harnessing the natural power of this immune defense. These most recent reports allude to functions of the A3 proteins that extend beyond their well-characterized designation as restriction factors. The emerging story implicates the A3 family as not only defense proteins, but also as participants in the broader innate immune response.

scholarly journals Vif Proteins from Diverse Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Lineages Have Distinct Binding Sites in A3C

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (22) ◽  
pp. 10193-10208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeli Zhang ◽  
Qinyong Gu ◽  
Ananda Ayyappan Jaguva Vasudevan ◽  
Manimehalai Jeyaraj ◽  
Stanislaw Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Salt Bridge ◽  
Proteasomal Degradation ◽  
Sooty Mangabey ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Interaction Sites ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTLentiviruses have evolved the Vif protein to counteract APOBEC3 (A3) restriction factors by targeting them for proteasomal degradation. Previous studies have identified important residues in the interface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif and human APOBEC3C (hA3C) or human APOBEC3F (hA3F). However, the interaction between primate A3C proteins and HIV-1 Vif or natural HIV-1 Vif variants is still poorly understood. Here, we report that HIV-1 Vif is inactive against A3Cs of rhesus macaques (rhA3C), sooty mangabey monkeys (smmA3C), and African green monkeys (agmA3C), while HIV-2, African green monkey simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVagm), and SIVmac Vif proteins efficiently mediate the depletion of all tested A3Cs. We identified that residues N/H130 and Q133 in rhA3C and smmA3C are determinants for this HIV-1 Vif-triggered counteraction. We also found that the HIV-1 Vif interaction sites in helix 4 of hA3C and hA3F differ. Vif alleles from diverse HIV-1 subtypes were tested for degradation activities related to hA3C. The subtype F-1 Vif was identified to be inactive for degradation of hA3C and hA3F. The residues that determined F-1 Vif inactivity in the degradation of A3C/A3F were located in the C-terminal region (K167 and D182). Structural analysis of F-1 Vif revealed that impairing the internal salt bridge of E171-K167 restored reduction capacities to A3C/A3F. Furthermore, we found that D101 could also form an internal interaction with K167. Replacing D101 with glycine and R167 with lysine in NL4-3 Vif impaired its counteractivity to A3F and A3C. This finding indicates that internal interactions outside the A3 binding region in HIV-1 Vif influence the capacity to induce degradation of A3C/A3F.IMPORTANCEThe APOBEC3 restriction factors can serve as potential barriers to lentiviral cross-species transmissions. Vif proteins from lentiviruses counteract APOBEC3 by proteasomal degradation. In this study, we found that monkey-derived A3C, rhA3C and smmA3C, were resistant to HIV-1 Vif. This was determined by A3C residues N/H130 and Q133. However, HIV-2, SIVagm, and SIVmac Vif proteins were found to be able to mediate the depletion of all tested primate A3C proteins. In addition, we identified a natural HIV-1 Vif (F-1 Vif) that was inactive in the degradation of hA3C/hA3F. Here, we provide for the first time a model that explains how an internal salt bridge of E171-K167-D101 influences Vif-mediated degradation of hA3C/hA3F. This finding provides a novel way to develop HIV-1 inhibitors by targeting the internal interactions of the Vif protein.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Vif protein is stabilized by AKT-mediated phosphorylation to enhance APOBEC3G degradation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rameez Raja ◽  
Chenyao Wang ◽  
Akhil C Banerjea
Keyword(s):  
Cytosine Deaminase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Kinase Assay ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Dominant Negative Form ◽  
Successful Replication ◽  
Vif Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

HIV-1 virus has to counter anti-viral restriction factors for its successful replication after its entry in the cell. The host-pathogen dynamics operate as soon as HIV-1 interacts with the cell. HIV-1 Vif has been known for its role in degradation of APOBEC3G; a cytosine deaminase which leads to hyper mutations in the viral DNA leading to aberrant viral replication. The cellular proteins regulating the intracellular HIV-1 Vif protein levels can have profound impact on HIV-1 pathogenesis. MDM2 is known to induce degradation of Vif with subsequent effects on APOBEC3G. Here, we have identified AKT/PKB as one of the crucial regulators of HIV-1 Vif protein. The rationale for selecting Vif as a target substrate for AKT was the presence of RMRINT motif in it, which is similar to the AKT phosphorylation motif RxRxxS/T. Immunoprecipitation assay and Kinase assay revealed that AKT and Vif interact strongly with each other and Vif is phosphorylated at T20 position by AKT. This phosphorylation stabilizes HIV-1 Vif while Vif mutant T20A degrades faster. Moreover, use of dominant negative form of AKT (KD-AKT) and AKT inhibitors were found to destabilise Vif and increase its K48-ubiquitination profile. The consequences of this AKT-Vif interplay were also validated on APOBEC3G degradation, a target of Vif. AKT inhibition was found to restore APOBEC3G levels. This process can be interpreted as a strategy used by virus to prevent MDM2 mediated Vif degradation; AKT stabilises Mdm2, which then targets Vif for degradation but at the same time AKT stabilises Vif by phosphorylating it. Thus, AKT mediated stabilization of Vif might compensate for its degradation by MDM2. This study can have significant implications as HIV-1 Tat protein and growth factors like insulin activate PI3-K/AKT Kinase pathway and can potentially affect Vif and APOBEC3G protein levels and hence HIV-1 pathogenesis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document