A novel sorting strategy of trichosanthin for hijacking human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Trichosanthin (TCS) is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein that plays dual role of plant toxin and anti-viral peptide. The sorting mechanism of such an exogenous protein is in long pursuit. Here, we examined TCS trafficking in cells expressing the HIV-1 scaffold protein Gag, and we found that TCS preferentially targets the Gag budding sites at plasma membrane or late endosomes depending on cell types. Lipid raft membrane but not the Gag protein mediates the association of TCS with viral components. After Gag budding, TCS is then released in association with the virus-like particles to generate TCS-enriched virions. The resulting TCS-enriched HIV-1 exhibits severely impaired infectivity. Overall, the observations indicate the existence of a unique and elaborate sorting strategy for hijacking HIV-1.
Zhao
Wen-Long
WL
Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
Zhang
Fan
F
Feng
Du
D
Wu
Ju
J
Chen
Shan
S
Sui
Sen-Fang
SF
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D002460:Cell Line; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D021381:Protein Transport; D015978:Trichosanthin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism*; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D015978:Trichosanthin