title: Molecular characterization of the HIV type 1 subtype C accessory genes vif, vpr, and vpu.
abstract: HIV-1 Vif, Vpr, and Vpu proteins have a profound effect on efficient viral replication and pathogenesis. This study describes the genotypic characterisation of vif , vpr and vpu from 20 South African HIV-1 subtype C primary isolates, and extensive analysis and comparison of known motifs. All HIV-1 subtype C Vif, Vpr and Vpu proteins revealed the presence of highly conserved structural and functional motifs similar to other sub-types, for example, the Vif-APOBEC3G interaction domains. However, several differences were noted when these sequences were compared to subtype B, such as the presence of the LRLL motif which has been implicated in targeting subtype C Vpu predominantly to the cell surface, instead of the Golgi apparatus. A better understanding of the structure/function relationship of these proteins may lead to the development of new classes of antiviral drugs. These results indicate that antiviral drugs that target the conserved functional domains within Vif, Vpr or Vpu could be active against all circulating subtypes, including HIV-1 subtype C.
authors.affiliation: HIV Pathogenesis Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Bridgette J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Alexio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capovilla
authors.forename: Willem D F
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.forename: Wendy S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Papathanasopoulos
mesh_terms: D016346:Gene Products, vif / Q000737:chemistry; D016336:Gene Products, vpr / Q000737:chemistry; D016341:Genes, vif; D016334:Genes, vpr; D016338:Genes, vpu; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D054320:vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
chemical_list: D016346:Gene Products, vif; D016336:Gene Products, vpr; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; D054320:vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514859:vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins