Alterations in intracellular potassium concentration by HIV-1 and SIV Nef.
BACKGROUND
HIV-1 mediated perturbation of the plasma membrane can produce an alteration in the transmembrane gradients of cations and other small molecules leading to cell death. Several HIV-1 proteins have been shown to perturb membrane permeability and ion transport. Xenopus laevis oocytes have few functional endogenous ion channels, and have proven useful as a system to examine direct effects of exogenously added proteins on ion transport.


RESULTS
HIV-1 Nef induces alterations in the intracellular potassium concentration in CD4+ T-lymphoblastoid cells, but not intracellular pH. Two electrode voltage-clamp recording was used to determine that Nef did not form ion channel-like pores in Xenopus oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that HIV-1 Nef regulates intracellular ion concentrations indirectly, and may interact with membrane proteins such as ion channels to modify their electrical properties.
Choi
Bongkun
B
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. choib01@med.nyu.edu
Fermin
Cesar D
CD
Comardelle
Alla M
AM
Haislip
Allyson M
AM
Voss
Thomas G
TG
Garry
Robert F
RF
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000494:pharmacology*
C429284:NEF protein, SIV; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514837:nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D011188:Potassium