Comparison of Vpu sequences from diverse geographical isolates of HIV type 1 identifies the presence of highly variable domains, additional invariant amino acids, and a signature sequence motif common to subtype C isolates.
We compared the Vpu sequences from 101 strains of HIV-1 isolated from diverse geographical regions and various subtypes in order to identify regions of high variability, and those amino acid residues that were highly conserved or invariant. In addition to the highly conserved casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylation sites, our analysis identified additional invariant residues in the transmembrane domain and in the first and second alpha-helical domains. Our analysis revealed that all subtype C sequences had a conserved LRLL motif at the C terminus that was also found in A/C intersubtype recombinants. While our analysis demonstrated the conservation of CKII domains in HIV-1 group M and O isolates, the number of potential CKII phosphorylation sites was variable in SIVcpz sequences. The results of this study will provide a basis for future mutagenesis studies to examine the role of certain amino acid residues in the structure and function of Vpu.
McCormick-Davis
C
C
Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160, USA.
Dalton
S B
SB
Singh
D K
DK
Stephens
E B
EB
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016338:Genes, vpu; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000821:virology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C514859:vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins