Luman, a new partner of HIV-1 TMgp41, interferes with Tat-mediated transcription of the HIV-1 LTR

J Mol Biol. 2006 Dec 15;364(5):1034-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.09.080. Epub 2006 Oct 3.

Abstract

In our search for new partners of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env), we found that the cytoplasmic domain of the TMgp41 (TMgp41 CD) subunit of HIV-1 Env interacted with Luman, a transcription factor of the CREB/ATF family. Luman is anchored in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and subjected to activation by regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). The RIP process permits the release of the activated amino-terminal fragment of Luman into the cytoplasm, and its import into the nucleus. Here, we demonstrate that interaction between the TMgp41 CD and Luman requires a region encompassing the b-Zip and TM domains of Luman and decreases the stability of this factor. Moreover, we found that overexpression of a constitutively active form of Luman in cells transfected with HXB2R HIV-1 provirus decreased the intracellular expression of Gag and Env and led to a decrease in virion release. This negative effect of activated Luman on HIV-1 production was correlated to the inhibition of Tat transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR, which might be related to an interaction of activated Luman with Tat. Altogether, these results show that Luman acts as a partner of two major HIV-1 proteins: the TMgp41 Env subunit and Tat. The interaction between the TMgp41 subunit of Env and Luman affects the stability of the full-length Luman protein, the precursor of the activated, nuclear form of Luman, which acts negatively on Tat-mediated HIV-1 transactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Gene Products, gag / metabolism
  • Gene Products, tat / genetics
  • Gene Products, tat / metabolism*
  • Genes, gag
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / metabolism*
  • HIV Long Terminal Repeat / genetics*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Proviruses
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Virus Replication
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • CREB3 protein, human
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Gene Products, gag
  • Gene Products, tat
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus