title: Nuclear import of HIV-1 intracellular reverse transcription complexes is mediated by importin 7.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), like other lentiviruses, can infect non-dividing cells. This property depends on the active nuclear import of its intracellular reverse transcription complex (RTC). We have studied nuclear import of purified HIV-1 RTCs in primary macrophages and found that importin 7, an import receptor for ribosomal proteins and histone H1, is involved in the process. Nuclear import of RTCs requires, in addition, energy and the components of the Ran system. Depletion of importin 7 from cultured cells by small interfering RNA inhibits HIV-1 infection. These results provide a new insight into the molecular mechanism for HIV-1 nuclear import and reveal potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: The Wohl Virion Centre, Windeyer Institute, University College London Medical School, 46 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JF, UK. a.fassati@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ariberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fassati
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Görlich
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Lyubov
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zaytseva
authors.forename: José-Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mingot
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D028884:Karyopherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D020931:ran GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D004279:DNA, Viral; D028884:Karyopherins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase; D020931:ran GTP-Binding Protein