title: Tits and bits of HIV Tat protein.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV-Tat protein displays an array of functions that are essential for HIV replication. The structural flexibility of Tat protein has been regarded as one of the unique features responsible for sustaining diverse functions, from facilitated membrane-crossing ability to strong affinity for RNA binding.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA binding ability and presence of multiple interacting domains in the same protein are very important properties of HIV-Tat protein. Tat protein has shown great ability to influence cellular and viral gene expression. We discuss the functions of HIV Tat protein, describing its structural significance, secretion and uptake of HIV Tat protein by immune cells, post-translational modifications and role of HIV Tat protein in HIV pathogenesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perturbation in expression of many cytokines and chemokines by HIV-Tat protein exhibits downstream immune suppressive function as well as activation of several apoptotic genes. This explains the massive death of immune cells due to bystander effect of HIV Tat protein among HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurovirology & Inflammation Biology, Section of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500007, (A.P), India.
authors.forename: Manish K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Johri
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Chintan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chhatbar
authors.forename: Salini K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Unni
authors.forename: Sunit K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014779:Virus Replication; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D012313:RNA