title: Vpx association with mature core structures of HIV-2.
abstract: Vpx is a virion-incorporated protein encoded by HIV-2 and certain strains of SIV which is necessary for efficient infection of lymphocytes and macrophages. To determine the location of Vpx within the HIV-2 particle, core structures were obtained from mature HIV-2 virions. Analysis of purified cores reveal the presence of monomeric Vpx as well as a nondenaturable and nonreducible higher order Vpx complex. Characterization of the core-associated Vpx complex suggests it to be a Vpx homodimer, indicative of high concentrations of Vpx. The incorporation and concentration of Vpx in HIV-2 cores support the hypothesis that it functions within the viral preintegration complex.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Molecular Medicine and Basic Science, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1124 Columbia Street, Seattle, Washington, 98104, USA.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Kewalramani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emerman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C074286:VPX protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 2; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins