The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vpu is encoded exclusively by HIV-1 and related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The transmembrane domain of the protein has dual functions: it counteracts the human restriction factor tetherin and forms a cation channel. Since these two functions are causally unrelated it remains unclear whether the channel activity has any relevance for viral release and replication. Here we examine structure and function correlates of different Vpu homologs from HIV-1 and SIV to understand if ion channel activity is an evolutionary conserved property of Vpu proteins. An electrophysiological testing of Vpus from different HIV-1 groups (N and P) and SIVs from chimpanzees (SIVcpz), and greater spot-nosed monkeys (SIVgsn) showed that they all generate channel activity in HEK293T cells. This implies a robust and evolutionary conserved channel activity and suggests that cation conductance may also have a conserved functional significance.

Ion channel activity of Vpu proteins is conserved throughout evolution of HIV-1 and SIV / T. Greiner, S. Bolduan, B. Hertel, C. Groß, K. Hamacher, U. Schubert, A. Moroni, G. Thiel. - In: VIRUSES. - ISSN 1999-4915. - 8:12(2016).

Ion channel activity of Vpu proteins is conserved throughout evolution of HIV-1 and SIV

A. Moroni
Penultimo
;
2016

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vpu is encoded exclusively by HIV-1 and related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The transmembrane domain of the protein has dual functions: it counteracts the human restriction factor tetherin and forms a cation channel. Since these two functions are causally unrelated it remains unclear whether the channel activity has any relevance for viral release and replication. Here we examine structure and function correlates of different Vpu homologs from HIV-1 and SIV to understand if ion channel activity is an evolutionary conserved property of Vpu proteins. An electrophysiological testing of Vpus from different HIV-1 groups (N and P) and SIVs from chimpanzees (SIVcpz), and greater spot-nosed monkeys (SIVgsn) showed that they all generate channel activity in HEK293T cells. This implies a robust and evolutionary conserved channel activity and suggests that cation conductance may also have a conserved functional significance.
viroporin; virus channel evolution; Vpu channel function; Vpu transmembrane domain; infectious diseases; virology
Settore BIO/04 - Fisiologia Vegetale
2016
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/482633
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