HIV-2/SIV viral protein X counteracts HUSH repressor complex

Nat Microbiol. 2018 Aug;3(8):891-897. doi: 10.1038/s41564-018-0179-6. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Abstract

To evade host immune defences, human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) have evolved auxiliary proteins that target cell restriction factors. Viral protein X (Vpx) from the HIV-2/SIVsmm lineage enhances viral infection by antagonizing SAMHD1 (refs 1,2), but this antagonism is not sufficient to explain all Vpx phenotypes. Here, through a proteomic screen, we identified another Vpx target-HUSH (TASOR, MPP8 and periphilin)-a complex involved in position-effect variegation3. HUSH downregulation by Vpx is observed in primary cells and HIV-2-infected cells. Vpx binds HUSH and induces its proteasomal degradation through the recruitment of the DCAF1 ubiquitin ligase adaptor, independently from SAMHD1 antagonism. As a consequence, Vpx is able to reactivate HIV latent proviruses, unlike Vpx mutants, which are unable to induce HUSH degradation. Although antagonism of human HUSH is not conserved among all lentiviral lineages including HIV-1, it is a feature of viral protein R (Vpr) from simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) of African green monkeys and from the divergent SIV of l'Hoest's monkey, arguing in favour of an ancient lentiviral species-specific vpx/vpr gene function. Altogether, our results suggest the HUSH complex as a restriction factor, active in primary CD4+ T cells and counteracted by Vpx, therefore providing a molecular link between intrinsic immunity and epigenetic control.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HIV-2 / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lentiviruses, Primate / metabolism
  • Lentiviruses, Primate / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Proviruses / metabolism
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism
  • THP-1 Cells
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • MPHOSPH8 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PPHLN1 protein, human
  • Phosphoproteins
  • TASOR protein, human
  • VPX protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 2
  • VPX protein, Simian immunodeficiency virus
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins