Retroviral restriction by APOBEC proteins.
A powerful mechanism of vertebrate innate immunity has been discovered in the past year, in which APOBEC proteins inhibit retroviruses by deaminating cytosine residues in nascent retroviral cDNA. To thwart this cellular defence, HIV encodes Vif, a small protein that mediates APOBEC degradation. Therefore, the balance between APOBECs and Vif might be a crucial determinant of the outcome of retroviral infection. Vertebrates have up to 11 different APOBEC proteins, with primates having the most. APOBEC proteins include AID, a probable DNA mutator that is responsible for immunoglobulin-gene diversification, and APOBEC1, an RNA editor with antiretroviral activities. This APOBEC abundance might help to tip the balance in favour of cellular defences.
Harris
Reuben S
RS
University of Minnesota, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Department, 321 Church Street South East, 6-155 Jackson Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. rsh@umn.edu
Liddament
Mark T
MT
D000071479:APOBEC-1 Deaminase; D000071480:APOBEC-3G Deaminase; D003564:Cytidine Deaminase / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016346:Gene Products, vif / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; D010802:Phylogeny; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000098830:AICDA (Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase)
D016346:Gene Products, vif; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011506:Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D004247:DNA; D000098830:AICDA (Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase); D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; C492906:APOBEC3F protein, human; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase; D000071479:APOBEC-1 Deaminase; C000605089:APOBEC1 protein, human; D000071480:APOBEC-3G Deaminase; C464924:APOBEC3G protein, human; D003564:Cytidine Deaminase