title: Cleavage, a real turn-off? HIV-mediated proteolysis of PABP1.
abstract: In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Alvarez and colleagues have identified PABP1 [poly(A)-binding protein 1] as a target of protease cleavage during HIV infection. The study shows that HIV-1, HIV-2 and mouse mammary tumour virus, but not other retroviruses, target PABP1 for cleavage and identifies cleavage sites within the RNA-recognition motifs and C-terminal region of the protein. This suggests that PABP1 cleavage may be important in the shut-off of host translation during HIV infection. This extends the viral families that are known to target PABP1 to include Retroviridae, suggesting that PABP1 may be a central target of viral infection.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: Nicola K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D016333:HIV Protease / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D039122:Poly(A)-Binding Protein I / Q000378:metabolism*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D039122:Poly(A)-Binding Protein I; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D016333:HIV Protease; C065184:p16 protease, Human immunodeficiency virus 2