HTLV-1-encoded p30II is a post-transcriptional negative regulator of viral replication.
Human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1) persists despite a vigorous virus-specific host immune response, and causes adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma in approximately 2% of infected individuals. Here we report that HTLV-1 has evolved a genetic function to restrict its own replication by a novel post-transcriptional mechanism. The HTLV-1-encoded p30(II) is a nuclear-resident protein that binds to, and retains in the nucleus, the doubly spliced mRNA encoding the Tax and Rex proteins. Because Tex and Rex are positive regulators of viral gene expression, their inhibition by p30(II) reduces virion production. p30(II) inhibits virus expression by reducing Tax and Rex protein expression.
Nicot
Christophe
C
Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 41/D804, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Dundr
Miroslav
M
Johnson
Julie M
JM
Fullen
Jake R
JR
Alonzo
Norma
N
Fukumoto
Risaku
R
Princler
Gerald L
GL
Derse
David
D
Misteli
Tom
T
Franchini
Genoveffa
G
D002460:Cell Line; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D016370:Gene Products, rex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D016355:Genes, pX; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*
D016370:Gene Products, rex; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; C072814:tof protein, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1