Tetherin inhibits HIV-1 release by directly tethering virions to cells.
Tetherin is an interferon-induced protein whose expression blocks the release of HIV-1 and other enveloped viral particles. The underlying mechanism by which tetherin functions and whether it directly or indirectly causes virion retention are unknown. Here, we elucidate the mechanism by which tetherin exerts its antiviral activity. We demonstrate, through mutational analyses and domain replacement experiments, that tetherin configuration rather than primary sequence is critical for antiviral activity. These findings allowed the design of a completely artificial protein, lacking sequence homology with native tetherin, that nevertheless mimicked its antiviral activity. We further show that tetherin is incorporated into HIV-1 particles as a parallel homodimer using either of its two membrane anchors. These results indicate that tetherin functions autonomously and directly and that infiltration of virion envelopes by one or both of tetherin's membrane anchors is necessary, and likely sufficient, to tether enveloped virus particles that bud through the plasma membrane.
Perez-Caballero
David
D
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Zang
Trinity
T
Ebrahimi
Alaleh
A
McNatt
Matthew W
MW
Gregory
Devon A
DA
Johnson
Marc C
MC
Bieniasz
Paul D
PD
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000378:metabolism; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016296:Mutagenesis; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D051381:Rats; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication; D000074010:Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
D015703:Antigens, CD; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C094572:BST2 protein, human; D000074010:Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2; C080981:VP40 protein, virus; C514859:vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins