title: Localization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag and Env at the plasma membrane by confocal imaging.
abstract: Budding of lentiviruses occurs at the plasma membrane, but the preceding steps involved in particle assembly are poorly understood. Since the Gag polyprotein mediates virion assembly and budding, studies on the localization of Gag within the cell should provide insight into the mechanism of particle assembly. Here, we utilize biochemical fractionation techniques as well as high-resolution confocal imaging of live cells to demonstrate that Gag is localized at the plasma membrane in a striking punctate pattern. Mutation of the N-terminal myristoylation site results in the formation of large cytosolic complexes, whereas mutation of the N-terminal basic residue cluster in the matrix domain redirects the Gag protein to a region partially overlapping the Golgi apparatus. In addition, we show that Gag and Env colocalize at the plasma membrane and that mistargeting of a mutant Gag to the Golgi apparatus alters the pattern of surface expression of Env.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hermida-Matsumoto
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Resh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D019556:COS Cells; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019814:Myristic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D011498:Protein Precursors; D013301:Streptolysins; C059767:p55 gag precursor protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; C025964:streptolysin O; D019814:Myristic Acid