Expression Level of HIV-1 Vif Can Be Fluctuated by Natural Nucleotide Variations in the vif-Coding and Regulatory SA1D2prox Sequences of the Proviral Genome.

ABSTRACT: Vif is required for HIV-1 replication in natural target cells by counteracting host restriction factors, APOBEC3 (A3) proteins. We recently demonstrated that Vif expression level can be changed by naturally occurring single-nucleotide variations within SA1D2prox of the HIV-1 genome. We also found that levels for vif/vpr mRNAs are inversely correlated. While amino acid sequence per se is critical for functionality, Vif expression level modulated by signal sequences in its coding region is likely to be important as well. There are two splicing sites in the region involved in vpr expression. To reveal possible fluctuations of Vif-expression level, we examined SA1D2prox and vif gene by chimeric approaches using HIV-1 subtypes B and C with distinct anti-A3 activity.

SUBMITTER: Doi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6893887 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature