title: Characterization and molecular basis of the oligomeric structure of HIV-1 nef protein.
abstract: The Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) is an important determinant for the onset of AIDS disease. The self-association properties of HIV-1 Nef are analyzed by chemical cross-linking, dynamic light scattering, equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation, and NMR spectroscopy. The experimental data show that the HIV-1 Nef core domain forms stable homo-dimers and trimers in solution, but not higher oligomers. These Nef homomers are not covalently linked by disulfide bridges, and the equilibrium between these forms is dependent on the Nef concentration. We further provide the molecular basis for the Nef core dimers and trimers obtained by analysis of crystallographic models. Oligomerization of biological polypeptides is a common tool used to trigger events in cellular signaling and endocytosis, both of which are targeted by Nef. The quaternary structure of Nef may be of physiological importance and may help to connect its cellular targets or to increase affinity of the viral molecule for its ligands. The herein described models for Nef dimers and trimers will allow further mutational studies to elucidate their role in vivo. These results provide novel insight into the structural and functional relationships of this important viral protein. Moreover, the oligomer interface may represent a novel target for the design of antiviral agents.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Biochimie Structurale, UMR C5048 CNRS, U414 INSERM, Université Montpellier I, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arold
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hoh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Domergue
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birck
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Delsuc
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jullien
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dumas
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015693:Gene Products, nef / Q000737:chemistry*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014461:Ultracentrifugation; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D015693:Gene Products, nef; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus