Specific packaging of APOBEC3G into HIV-1 virions is mediated by the nucleocapsid domain of the gag polyprotein precursor.
In cells infected by HIV-1 mutants lacking a functional Vif protein, APOBEC3G is specifically packaged into progeny virions and then interferes with the process of virus infection. Here, we show that incorporation of APOBEC3G into HIV-1 virions is mediated by the specific interaction of APOBEC3G with the carboxy-terminal nucleocapsid/p6 domain of the Gag polyprotein precursor. As a result, HIV-1 virus-like particles that lack the nucleocapsid domain fail to package APOBEC3G. Surprisingly, RNA was also found to be essential for formation of the nucleocapsid--APOBEC3G complex in vitro, thus raising the possibility that RNA may form a bridge between these two proteins.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Alexandra
A
Schäfer
Hal P
HP
Bogerd
Bryan R
BR
Cullen
D000071480:APOBEC-3G Deaminase; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D003564:Cytidine Deaminase; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000378:metabolism*; D016346:Gene Products, vif / Q000235:genetics; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019251:Nucleocapsid / Q000378:metabolism; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology*; D019065:Virus Assembly; D054320:vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015683:Gene Products, gag; D016346:Gene Products, vif; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011506:Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D054320:vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; D000071480:APOBEC-3G Deaminase; C464924:APOBEC3G protein, human; D003564:Cytidine Deaminase