Biochemical and functional interactions between HIV-1 Tat protein and TAR RNA.
HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) is an unusual transcriptional activator in being an RNA-binding protein rather than a DNA-binding protein. Recent findings have greatly advanced our understanding of the transcriptional function(s) of this protein. Here we review how Tat interacts with trans-activation responsive RNA and how this interaction contributes to transcription. We discuss the biological implications of recent studies showing an association of Tat with cellular kinases(s) and protein acetylases. Evidence for nontranscriptional activities of the Tat protein is also summarized.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000378:metabolism*; D016325:HIV Long Terminal Repeat; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D000099253:Trans-Activation Responsive RNA-Binding Protein