Nucleo-cytoplasmic redistribution of the HTLV-I Rex protein: alterations by coexpression of the HTLV-I p21x protein.
The function of the Rex protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) has been demonstrated to be very similar to the Rev protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Both of these retroviral regulatory proteins rescue unspliced viral RNAs from the nuclei of infected cells. The Rev protein of HIV-1 has been reported to shuttle between the nucleus/nucleolus and the cytoplasm. Here, we have found that Rex also relocated out of the nucleus in the presence of actinomycin D. This effect was demonstrated in dose- and time-course-dependent manners. In comparison with previous reports on HIV-1 Rev, these effects with Rex seemed to be similar, but less distinct, which may reflect precise differences in the subcellular localization and/or shuttling pathways of Rev and Rex. Interestingly, the endogenous truncated form of the Rex protein, p21x, significantly interfered with the intracellular translocation of Rex, when coexpressed in trans. As expression of p21x occurs in various HTLV-I-infected cells, p21x may play a role in the life-cycle of HTLV-I, through regulating the dynamic subcellular distribution of the viral trans-activator, Rex.
Kubota
S
S
Dorrance H. Hamilton Laboratories, Center for Human Retrovirology, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Hatanaka
M
M
Pomerantz
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000821:virology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000821:virology; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016370:Gene Products, rex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015682:Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015686:Gene Products, env; D016370:Gene Products, rex; D015682:Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C055265:gp21 protein, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; D003609:Dactinomycin