Functional interaction between the cytoplasmic leucine-zipper domain of HIV-1 gp41 and p115-RhoGEF

Curr Biol. 1999 Nov 4;9(21):1271-4. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(99)80511-9.

Abstract

The long cytoplasmic tail of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 transmembrane protein gp41 (gp41C) is implicated in the replication and cytopathicity of HIV-1 [1]. Little is known about the specific functions of gp41C, however. HIV-1 or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) mutants with defective gp41C have cell-type- or species-dependent phenotypes [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. Thus, host factors are implicated in mediating the functions of gp41C. We report here that gp41C interacted with the carboxy-terminal regulatory domain of p115-RhoGEF [7], a specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and activator of the RhoA GTPase, which regulates actin stress fiber formation, activation of serum response factor (SRF) and cell proliferation [8] [9]. We demonstrate that gp41C inhibited p115-mediated actin stress fiber formation and activation of SRF. An amphipathic helix region with a leucine-zipper motif in gp41C is involved in its interaction with p115. Mutations in gp41C leading to loss of interaction with p115 impaired HIV-1 replication in human T cells. These findings suggest that an important function of gp41C is to modulate the activity of p115-RhoGEF and they thus reveal a new potential anti-HIV-1 target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / physiology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / chemistry
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / chemistry
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Leucine Zippers*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Serum Response Factor
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • ARHGEF1 protein, human
  • Actins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Serum Response Factor