HIV-1 Nef co-localizes with the astrocyte-specific cytoskeleton protein GFAP in persistently nef-expressing human astrocytes.
In T-cells HIV-1 Nef exerts various functions and interacts with actin. In astrocytes interaction of Nef with cellular proteins is poorly understood. Therefore, human astrocytic cell clones stably transfected with nef-genes derived from HIV-1 Bru and its myristoylation-defective TH-variant were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy for expression of Nef and cytoskeleton proteins actin and GFAP, a marker for activated astrocytes. Myristoylated Nef was detected in cytoplasm, Golgi and plasmamembrane, while non-myristoylated Nef was exclusively cytoplasmic. Nef co-localised with GFAP in the perinuclear region of astrocytes. In contrast, Nef did not interact with actin filaments in human astrocytes. Nef/GFAP interaction could contribute to changes in morphology and activation state of astrocytes shown previously which are both critical for development of astrogliosis in HIV-1 infected brain.
Kohleisen
B
B
GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Molecular Virology, Neuherberg, Germany.
Hutzler
P
P
Shumay
E
E
Ovod
V
V
Erfle
V
V
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D015693:Gene Products, nef / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009227:Myristic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D000199:Actins; D015693:Gene Products, nef; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009227:Myristic Acids; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus