title: Localization of HIV RNA in mitochondria of infected cells: potential role in cytopathogenicity.
abstract: The intracellular distribution of HIV-1 RNA transcripts in infected cells was studied using in situ hybridization detected by electron microscopy and cellular fractionation. Although viral RNA and core protein could be detected throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus, viral RNA was found in significantly increased amounts in mitochondria relative to the cytoplasm and nucleus. In contrast, cellular poly(A) RNA or viral gag proteins were not increased in the mitochondria. A cell line containing an integrated latent genome that could be induced to express viral RNA after phorbol ester stimulation showed an increase in viral RNA accumulation in mitochondria parallel with the increase in HIV expression levels. Concomitant with HIV expression, there was a decrease in mitochondrial viability. Using immunofluorescent markers to detect probes to HIV RNA transcripts and antibodies to mitochondrial proteins simultaneously in single cells, there was an inverse relationship between the amount of viral RNA and mitochondrial integrity. High levels of viral RNA in mitochondria were found in acutely (but not chronically) infected cells. We propose that HIV RNA import into mitochondria can compromise mitochondrial function.
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01605.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Somasundaran
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zapp
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Byron
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bassell
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C022616:thiazolyl blue