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Biomedical subjects

A T Panganiban

Publications and source records attributed to A T Panganiban.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Duplication of the primary encapsidation and dimer linkage region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA results in the appearance of monomeric RNA in virions.

The dimerization initiation site (DIS) and the dimer linkage sequences (DLS) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 have been shown to mediate in vitro dimerization of genomic RNA. However, the precise role of the DIS-DLS region in virion assembly and RNA dimerization in virus particles has not been fully elucidated, since deletion or mutation of the DIS-DLS region also abolishes the packaging ability of genomic RNA. To characterize the DIS-DLS region without altering packaging ability, we generated mutant constructs carrying a duplication of approximately 1,000 bases including the encapsidation signal and DIS-DLS (E/DLS) region. We found that duplication of the E/DLS region resulted in the appearance of monomeric RNA in virus particles. No monomers were observed in virions of mutants carrying the E/DLS region only at ectopic positions. Monomers were not observed when pol or env regions were duplicated, indicating an absolute need for two intact E/DLS regions on the same RNA for generating particles with monomeric RNA. These monomeric RNAs were most likely generated by intramolecular interaction between two E/DLS regions on one genome. Moreover, incomplete genome dimerization did not affect RNA packaging and virion formation. Examination of intramolecular interaction between E/DLS regions could be a convenient tool for characterizing the E/DLS region in virion assembly and RNA dimerization within virus particles.

Blotting, Western↗

Functional interaction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu and Gag with a novel member of the tetratricopeptide repeat protein family.

Viral protein U (Vpu) is a protein encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that promotes the degradation of the virus receptor, CD4, and enhances the release of virus particles from cells. We isolated a cDNA that encodes a novel cellular protein that interacts with Vpu in vitro, in vivo, and in yeast cells. This Vpu-binding protein (UBP) has a molecular mass of 41 kDa and is expressed ubiquitously in human tissues at the RNA level. UBP is a novel member of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein family containing four copies of the 34-amino-acid TPR motif. Other proteins that contain TPR motifs include members of the immunophilin superfamily, organelle-targeting proteins, and a protein phosphatase. UBP also interacts directly with HIV-1 Gag protein, the principal structural component of the viral capsid. However, when Vpu and Gag are coexpressed, stable interaction between UBP and Gag is diminished. Furthermore, overexpression of UBP in virus-producing cells resulted in a significant reduction in HIV-1 virion release. Taken together, these data indicate that UBP plays a role in Vpu-mediated enhancement of particle release.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The HIV-1 matrix domain of Gag is required for Vpu responsiveness during particle release.

HIV-1 viral protein U (Vpu) facilitates virus particle release. To determine whether Gag is sufficient for generation of a target for Vpu-mediated particle release, we expressed HIV-1 Gag protein in the absence of the other viral genes. The resulting particles were still Vpu responsive. Mutational analysis of Gag indicated that the matrix domain (MA) is required for Vpu responsiveness. However, additional mutations in other domains of Gag, which affect the formation of stable virus particles, also abrogate Vpu responsiveness on total Gag release. Coexpression of the wild-type gag gene and a gag mutant lacking the MA domain renders the MA- mutant Vpu responsive. This indicates that Gag molecules lacking MA are still incorporated into particles through association with wild-type Gag molecules and that the resulting composite particles are sufficient for Vpu-mediated exit.

Binding Sites↗

Ultrastructure of HIV-1 genomic RNA.

The HIV-1 RNA genome is a dimer which consists of two identical strands of RNA linked near their 5' ends by a dimer linkage structure (DLS). We have structurally characterized full-length HIV-1 genomic RNA isolated from HIV-1 virions by electron microscopy. As in other retroviruses, the HIV-1 RNA genome contains a central dimer linkage structure and additional loop structures within each monomer subunit. In contrast to the DLS of other retroviruses, the DLS region of HIV-1 contains a loop of 323 +/- 44 nucleotides. The free 5' ends of the two RNA strands were not visualized, suggesting that the 5' end regions are involved in interstrand complementary base pairing. Computer modeling identified a single stable structure that was consistent with the electron microscopy data. In this model, the two RNA strands are linked at their 5' ends by two contact points derived from "kissing-loop" interactions between r-u5 and SL1 stem-loops and their counterparts on the second strand. These interactions may contribute to the formation of stable HIV-1 RNA dimers in vivo.

Animals↗

Pleiotropic mutations in the HIV-1 matrix protein that affect diverse steps in replication.

The matrix domain of the Gag precursor protein, and the mature matrix protein, which is derived from processing of the Gag precursor, functions in several steps of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) life cycle. We made numerous mutations throughout the matrix protein and identified three mutants in the N-terminal portion of the matrix that drastically diminish the ability of the virus to replicate. Each of these replication-defective mutants was unable to acquire efficiently the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1. To determine whether these same mutations affect other steps in viral replication we pseudotyped mutant particles with the envelope glycoprotein from an amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Each of these mutants was also hampered in other steps in virus replication. Two mutants were defective in entry or uncoating, and the third was hampered in a step following reverse transcription. Since viral replication was analyzed under conditions in which the nuclear localization function of the matrix protein is not required, the matrix protein may be required for an additional replication step following reverse transcription.

Animals↗

Distinct functions and requirements for the Cys-His boxes of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein during RNA encapsidation and replication.

The process of retroviral RNA encapsidation involves interaction between trans-acting viral proteins and cis-acting RNA elements. The encapsidation signal on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA is a multipartite structure composed of functional stem-loop structures. The nucleocapsid (NC) domain of the Gag polyprotein precursor contains two copies of a Cys-His box motif that have been demonstrated to be important in RNA encapsidation. To further characterize the role of the Cys-His boxes of the HIV-1 NC protein in RNA encapsidation, the relative efficiency of RNA encapsidation for virus particles that contained mutations within the Cys-His boxes was measured. Mutations that disrupted the first Cys-His box of the NC protein resulted in virus particles that encapsidated genomic RNA less efficiently and subgenomic RNA more efficiently than did wild-type virus. Mutations within the second Cys-His box did not significantly affect RNA encapsidation. In addition, a full complement of wild-type NC protein in virus particles is not required for efficient RNA encapsidation or virus replication. Finally, both Cys-His boxes of the NC protein play additional roles in virus replication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Position dependence of functional hairpins important for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA encapsidation in vivo.

At least two hairpins in the 5' untranslated leader region, stem-loops 1 and 3 (SL1 and SL3), contribute to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA encapsidation in vivo. We used a competitive assay, which measures the relative encapsidation efficiency of mutant viral RNA in the presence of competing wild-type RNA, to compare the contributions of SL1, SL3, and two adjacent secondary structures, SL2 and SL4, to encapsidation. SL2 is not required for RNA encapsidation, while SL1, SL3, and SL4 all contribute approximately equally to encapsidation. To determine whether these hairpins function in a position-dependent manner, we interchanged the positions of two of these stem-loop structures. This resulted in substantial diminution of encapsidation, indicating that the secondary structures that comprise E, the encapsidation signal, function only in their correct contexts. Mutation of nucleotides flanking SL1 and SL3 had little effect on encapsidation. We also showed that SL1, while present on both genomic and subgenomic viral RNAs, nonetheless contributes to selective encapsidation of genomic RNA. Taken together, these data are consistent with the formation of a higher-order RNA structure, partially composed of SL1, SL3, and SL4, that functions to effect concurrent encapsidation of full-length RNA and exclusion of subgenomic RNA. Finally, it has been reported that E is required for efficient translation of Gag mRNA in vivo. However, we have found that a variety of mutants, including a mutant lacking the entire region encompassing SL1, SL2, and SL3, still produce RNAs that are efficiently translated. These data indicate that E is unlikely to contribute to efficient Gag mRNA translation in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA outside the primary encapsidation and dimer linkage region affects RNA dimer stability in vivo.

To characterize the cis-acting determinants that function in RNA dimer formation and maintenance, we examined the stability of RNA dimers isolated from virus particles containing mutations in the encapsidation region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The genomic RNAs of all mutants containing lesions in elements required for in vitro dimerization exhibited thermal stability similar to that of wild-type (WT) HIV-1. These data indicate that the eventual formation of stable dimeric RNA in vivo is not absolutely dependent on the elements that promote dimer formation in vitro. Surprisingly, mutants that lacked a large segment of the middle portion of the genome, outside the likely primary dimer linkage region, formed RNA dimers that were measurably more stable than WT. In addition, the insertion of one or multiple copies of a foreign gene, which resulted in a series of vectors that approached RNA length similar to that of WT RNA, still exhibited augmented dimer stability. These results suggest that there are regions in the HIV-1 genome outside the primary dimer initiation and dimer linkage regions that can negatively affect dimer stability.

Base Sequence↗

Efficient encapsidation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vectors and further characterization of cis elements required for encapsidation.

To determine whether there is a cis-acting effect of translational expression of gag on RNA encapsidation, we compared the encapsidation of wild-type RNA with that of a mutant in which the translation of gag was ablated. This comparison indicated that there is not such a cis effect. To determine what is necessary and sufficient for encapsidation, we measured the relative encapsidation efficiencies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vector RNAs containing mutations in domains proximal to the canonical encapsidation signal or containing large deletions in the remainder of the genome. These data indicate that TAR and two additional regions are required for encapsidation and that the 5' end of the genome is sufficient for encapsidation. The Rev-responsive element is required mainly for efficient RNA transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. A foreign sequence was found to have a negative effect on encapsidation upon placement within the parental vector. Interestingly, this negative effect was compounded by multiple copies of the sequence.

Base Sequence↗

HIV-1 particle release mediated by Vpu is distinct from that mediated by p6.

Vpu and the C-terminal peptide of Gag (p6) are both HIV-1-encoded proteins that augment the release of virus particles from cells. We examined the functional relationship between these proteins and their activities during particle release. Our results indicate that efficient HIV-1 particle release from HeLa and Jurkat cells depends on the presence of Vpu. However, Vpu is dispensable for efficient release from Cos cells. In contrast, p6 is required for efficient release from Cos cells but not from Jurkat or HeLa cells. These data suggest that Vpu and p6 have distinct activities in virus exit from different cell lines. Intracellular proteolytic processing of Gag precursor protein is more complete in Cos cells than in HeLa cells. However, this processing has little or no effect on Vpu- or p6-mediated particle release. p6 is required for incorporation of yet another virus protein (Vpr) into cells but our data suggest that Vpr plays no role in p6-dependent particle release. Vpu also facilitates the degradation of CD4 in virus producing cells but, in contrast to particle release, the ability of Vpu to facilitate the degradation of CD4 is not cell line-dependent.

Animals↗

Examination of TAR-independent Trans activation by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat in human glial cells.

Astrocytic glial cells derived from central nervous system (CNS) can support human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in cell culture, may be infected in tissue culture, and are thought to be a large HIV-1 reservoir in vivo. The Tat protein of HIV-1 interacts with a cis-acting target sequence referred to as TAR. However, Tat can also stimulate gene expression directed from some heterologous promoters and, in certain circumstances, an HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) that lacks the TAR element. Therefore, we attempted to investigate Tat trans activation of HIV-1 LTR in the astrocytic glial cells. Using transfection of LTR-reporter gene constructs and HIV-1 proviral constructs, we demonstrate TAR-dependent replication in astrocytic cells. We also examined the expression of HIV-1 env gene from an LTR that lacks TAR element. In a previous study (Kim and Panganiban: J Virol 67:3739-3747, 1993), we observed that env expression is trans activated only by the full-length Tat protein through a TAR-independent manner in HeLa cells. However, in astrocytic glial cells, the trans activation of env expression from the LTR-lacking TAR element was mediated by the first exon peptide of Tat as well as the full-length Tat peptide through a post-transcriptional mechanism rather than a transcriptional one. This result suggests that cell type-specific factor(s) is involved in the TAR-independent Tat responsiveness.

Astrocytoma↗

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 encapsidation site is a multipartite RNA element composed of functional hairpin structures.

We analyzed the leader region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA to decipher the nature of the cis-acting E/psi element required for encapsidation of viral RNA into virus particles. Our data indicate that, for RNA encapsidation, there are at least two functional subregions in the leader region. One subregion is located at a position immediately proximal to the major splice donor, and the second is located between the splice donor and the beginning of the gag gene. This suggests that at least two discrete cis-acting elements are recognition signals for encapsidation. To determine whether specific putative RNA secondary structures serve as the signal(s) for encapsidation, we constructed primary base substitution mutations that would be expected to destabilize these potential structures and second-site compensatory mutations that would restore secondary structure. Analysis of these mutants allowed the identification of two discrete hairpins that facilitate RNA encapsidation in vivo. Thus, the HIV-1 E/psi region is a multipartite element composed of specific and functional RNA secondary structures. Compensation of the primary mutations by the second-site mutations could not be attained in trans. This indicates that interstrand base pairing between these two stem regions within the hairpins does not appear to be the basis for HIV-1 RNA dimer formation. Comparison of the hypothetical RNA secondary structures from 10 replication-competent HIV-1 strains suggests that a subset of the hydrogen-bonded base pairs within the stems of the hairpins is likely to be required for function in cis.

Base Composition↗

Effects of second-site mutations on dominant interference by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein mutant.

We have demonstrated previously that a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein containing a Val-to-Glu substitution at the second amino acid of the transmembrane glycoprotein gp41 (termed the 41.2 mutant) dominantly interferes with wild-type envelope-mediated syncytium formation and virus infectivity. To understand the mechanism by which the 41.2 mutant exerts the dominant interfering phenotype and thereby determine further how the mutant might be used as an inhibitor of viral spread, additional mutations were made in the envelope gene, and the effects of these mutations on interference were determined. It was found that processing of the 41.2 mutant glycoprotein in gp120 and gp41 subunits and a functional CD4-binding domain are necessary for the interfering phenotype to be exhibited fully. However, neither a wild-type V3 loop nor the gp41 cytoplasmic tail is necessary for efficient interference. In addition, it was determined that the dominant interfering phenotype is not conferred exclusively by the glutamate substitution at amino acid 2 of gp41, since a substitution with a basic residue at this position also results in a dominant interfering envelope glycoprotein.

CD4 Antigens↗

The matrix region is responsible for the differential ability of two retroviruses to function as helpers for vector propagation.

We have investigated the ability of two related reticuloendotheliosis viruses to propagate a spleen necrosis virus (SNV) based retroviral vector in canine osticosarcoma (D17) cells. Reticuloendotheliosis virus strain A (REV-A) consistently propagated the vector more efficiently than SNV in cell culture. To identify the area of the viral genome responsible for the superior helper function of REV-A, we constructed chimeric viruses between SNV and REV-A. Analysis of helper function indicated that a virus comprised of the SNV genome, but containing the matrix region of REV-A, could propagate the vector as well as REV-A. Although REV-A is also a superior virus for vector propagation in chicken embryo fibroblast cells, the region of the viral genome that confers superior helper function does not map to the gag region of REV-A in this cell type.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Efficient insertion from an internal long terminal repeat (LTR)-LTR sequence on a reticuloendotheliosis virus vector is imprecise and cell specific.

To examine the fidelity and efficiency of integration from a covalently closed long terminal repeat (LTR)-LTR sequence in vivo, we isolated individual spleen necrosis virus proviruses that arose following infection of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) and sequenced the provirus-cell DNA junctions. Some but not all CEF preparations allowed efficient insertion from the internal sequence. Moreover, in contrast to integration from the normal ends of the viral DNA, which occurs with precision with respect to the viral DNA, insertion from the internal sequence was not precise. In particular, there were short deletions of variable size from the viral DNA and these proviruses were not flanked by short direct repeats. Although this imprecise insertion can be efficient in CEFs, such integration is very inefficient in two other cell types (D17 and QT47) that support the replication of reticuloendotheliosis viruses. Thus, it is possible that there is a cell-specific factor(s) in CEFs required for efficient but imprecise insertion or, alternatively, D17 and QT47 cells contain a factor that abrogates integration from an internal LTR-LTR junction. Virus particles released from CEFs do not efficiently use the LTR-LTR junction following infection of D17 cells. Therefore, if there is a CEF-specific factor required for insertion, it does not appear to be transferred through particles.

Animals↗

Simian immunodeficiency virus RNA is efficiently encapsidated by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 particles.

Packaging of retroviral RNA is attained through the specific recognition of a cis-acting encapsidation site (located near the 5' end of the viral RNA) by components of the Gag precursor protein. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) are two lentiviruses that lack apparent sequence similarity in their putative encapsidation regions. We used SIV vectors to determine whether HIV-1 particles can recognize the SIV encapsidation site and functionally propagate SIV nucleic acid. SIV nucleic acid was replicated by HIV-1 proteins. Thus, efficient lentivirus pseudotyping can take place at the RNA level. Direct examination of the RNA contents of virus particles indicated that encapsidation of this heterologous RNA is efficient. Characterization of deletion mutants in the untranslated leader region of SIV RNA indicates that only a very short region at the 5' end of the SIV RNA is needed for packaging. Comparison of this region with the corresponding region of HIV-1 reveals that both are marked by secondary structures that are likely to be similar. Thus, it is likely that a similar higher-order RNA structure is required for encapsidation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The full-length Tat protein is required for TAR-independent, posttranscriptional trans activation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gene expression.

Tat is a protein that dramatically increases the expression of all genes expressed from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat through interaction with a cis-acting target sequence referred to as TAR (for trans-acting responsive region). The tat gene is divided into two coding exons which, when translated, result in the synthesis of an 86-amino-acid protein. However, the 72-amino-acid segment encoded by the first coding exon of tat is sufficient to encode a fully active Tat protein in known assays. We examined expression of the env gene from an LTR that lacks TAR (designated dTAR-env). Surprisingly, only the full-length Tat peptide trans activated expression of the env gene from dTAR-env. Comparison of RNA and protein expression of the env gene in the presence of Tat indicated that the mechanism of trans activation is posttranscriptional rather than transcriptional. To test whether the TAR-independent Tat function is specific to the HIV-1 env gene, we analyzed expression of heterologous genes from the long terminal repeat lacking TAR. These heterologous genes were not trans activated by Tat in the absence of a TAR element, which suggests that the second-exon peptide of Tat has a sequence-specific role in TAR-independent trans activation of the HIV-1 env gene. Analysis of a mutant in the 5' end of the env gene was used to identify a cis-acting sequence required for Tat responsiveness.

Base Sequence↗