title: IRF regulation of HIV-1 long terminal repeat activity.
abstract: Interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRF) constitute a family of transcriptional activators and repressors implicated in multiple biologic processes, including regulation of immune responses and host defense, cytokine signalling, cell growth regulation, and hematopoietic development. All members are characterized by well-conserved DNA binding domains at the N-terminal region that recognize similar DNA sequences termed IRF-binding element/IFN-stimulated response element (IRF-E/ISRE) present on the promoter of the IFN-alpha/beta genes and of some IFN-stimulated genes (ISG). Recently, a sequence homologous to the ISRE has been identified downstream of the 5' human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR). This sequence is a binding site for IRF-1 and IRF-2. Deletion of the LTR-ISRE results in impaired LTR promoter activity and decreased synthesis of viral RNA and proteins. Here, we briefly summarize characteristics of IRF-1 and IRF-2 binding to the HIV-1 LTR-ISRE and the data obtained to date on the functionality of this cis-element and on the role of IRF in the regulation of HIV-1 LTR transcriptional activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Rome, Italy. battist@iss.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battistini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sgarbanti
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ensoli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hiscott
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D016325:HIV Long Terminal Repeat; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1; D050836:Interferon Regulatory Factor-2; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D020218:Response Elements; D017385:Sequence Homology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C494257:IRF1 protein, human; C494229:IRF2 protein, human; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1; D050836:Interferon Regulatory Factor-2; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors