Extent of incorporation of HIV-1 Vpr into the virus particles is flexible and can be modulated by expression level in cells

FEBS Lett. 2000 Mar 10;469(2-3):191-5. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01264-3.

Abstract

To examine the factors that control the extent of incorporation of Vpr into the virus particles, we utilized an epitope-tagging approach with Flag (FL) as the epitope for quantitation. We generated expression plasmids containing Vpr-FL and Vpr E21,24P-FL and also HIV-1 proviral DNA containing Vpr-FL (NL-Vpr-FL). Immunoblot analysis using Flag antibodies revealed that virus particles derived from co-transfection of NL-Vpr-FL and Vpr-FL showed an enhanced level of Vpr-FL in comparison to NL-Vpr-FL derived virus. These results suggest that the amount of incorporation of Vpr into the virus particles is flexible and may be modulated by its expression level in cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Epitopes
  • Gene Products, vpr / genetics
  • Gene Products, vpr / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Proviruses / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Gene Products, vpr
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus