Docking of HIV-1 Vpr to the nuclear envelope is mediated by the interaction with the nucleoporin hCG1

J Biol Chem. 2002 Nov 22;277(47):45091-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M207439200. Epub 2002 Sep 12.

Abstract

The HIV-1 genome contains several genes coding for auxiliary proteins, including the small Vpr protein. Vpr affects the integrity of the nuclear envelope and participates in the nuclear translocation of the preintegration complex containing the viral DNA. Here, we show by photobleaching experiments performed on living cells expressing a Vpr-green fluorescent protein fusion that the protein shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, but a significant fraction is concentrated at the nuclear envelope, supporting the hypothesis that Vpr interacts with components of the nuclear pore complex. An interaction between HIV-1 Vpr and the human nucleoporin CG1 (hCG1) was revealed in the yeast two-hybrid system, and then confirmed both in vitro and in transfected cells. This interaction does not involve the FG repeat domain of hCG1 but rather the N-terminal region of the protein. Using a nuclear import assay based on digitonin-permeabilized cells, we demonstrate that hCG1 participates in the docking of Vpr at the nuclear envelope. This association of Vpr with a component of the nuclear pore complex may contribute to the disruption of the nuclear envelope and to the nuclear import of the viral DNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
  • Gene Products, vpr / genetics
  • Gene Products, vpr / metabolism*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genes, myc
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Gene Products, vpr
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • NUP42 protein, human
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins