[Function of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef gene product in virus replication]. 1996

K Tokunaga
Section of Serology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.

We comparatively analyzed the replication kinetics of wild-type (wt) and nef mutant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in several CD4-positive cell lines, in order to clarify the molecular function of Nef protein. The delayed growth of nef mutant virus was observed at the initial stage of replication in all cell lines examined. This phenomenon was greatly amplified in the absence of vpu gene. In order to determine the infection stage in viral replication cycle which is specifically affected on virus replication rate in the presence of the Nef protein, we first examined the difference between wt and nef mutant viruses in the virus production rate from transfected cells, and found that the both viruses were produced with equal efficiency. This result showed that Nef protein could be dispensable for virion production. Therefore, early infection stages were focused by single-round infection assay, and the nef mutant virus was found to be much less infectious than wt virus. This indicated that the effect of Nef protein was exhibited in the early phase of a virus replication cycle, during viral adsorption to integration. By entry assay using wt and nef mutant virions, it was revealed that the Nef protein was required for efficient viral entry. These data suggest that the Nef protein might play a role in efficient incorporation of the Env protein into the virions, leading to enhanced viral infectivity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014771 Virion The infective system of a virus, composed of the viral genome, a protein core, and a protein coat called a capsid, which may be naked or enclosed in a lipoprotein envelope called the peplos. Virus Particle,Viral Particle,Viral Particles,Particle, Viral,Particle, Virus,Particles, Viral,Particles, Virus,Virions,Virus Particles
D014779 Virus Replication The process of intracellular viral multiplication, consisting of the synthesis of PROTEINS; NUCLEIC ACIDS; and sometimes LIPIDS, and their assembly into a new infectious particle. Viral Replication,Replication, Viral,Replication, Virus,Replications, Viral,Replications, Virus,Viral Replications,Virus Replications
D015496 CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes A critical subpopulation of T-lymphocytes involved in the induction of most immunological functions. The HIV virus has selective tropism for the T4 cell which expresses the CD4 phenotypic marker, a receptor for HIV. In fact, the key element in the profound immunosuppression seen in HIV infection is the depletion of this subset of T-lymphocytes. T4 Cells,T4 Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocytes,CD4 Positive T Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocyte,CD4-Positive T-Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T4 Cell,T4 Lymphocyte
D015497 HIV-1 The type species of LENTIVIRUS and the etiologic agent of AIDS. It is characterized by its cytopathic effect and affinity for the T4-lymphocyte. Human immunodeficiency virus 1,HIV-I,Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1,Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1, Human
D015686 Gene Products, env Retroviral proteins, often glycosylated, coded by the envelope (env) gene. They are usually synthesized as protein precursors (POLYPROTEINS) and later cleaved into the final viral envelope glycoproteins by a viral protease. env Gene Products,env Polyproteins,env Protein,env Antigens,env Glycoproteins,env Polyprotein,Antigens, env,Polyprotein, env,Polyproteins, env
D015693 Gene Products, nef Products of the retroviral NEF GENE. They play a role as accessory proteins that influence the rate of viral infectivity and the destruction of the host immune system. nef gene products were originally found as factors that trans-suppress viral replication and function as negative regulators of transcription. nef stands for negative factor. nef Gene Products,nef Protein,3'-orf Protein,Gene Product, nef,3' orf Protein,nef Gene Product
D015754 Genes, nef DNA sequences that form the coding region for a protein that down-regulates the expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). nef is short for negative factor. HIV-3'-orf Genes,nef Genes,Gene, HIV-3'-orf,Gene, nef,Genes, HIV-3'-orf,HIV 3' orf Genes,HIV-3'-orf Gene,nef Gene
D054311 nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins encoded by the NEF GENES of the HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS. nef Protein, Human Immunodeficiency Virus,HIV-3'-orf Protein,nef Protein, HIV,HIV 3' orf Protein,HIV nef Protein
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