Cross-activation of the Rex proteins of HTLV-I and BLV and of the Rev protein of HIV-1 and nonreciprocal interactions with their RNA responsive elements.

Abstract

The Rex regulatory proteins of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV), and the Rev protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), promote the cytoplasmic accumulation and translation of viral messenger mRNAs encoding structural proteins. Rev and Rex act through cis-acting elements on the viral RNA; these elements are named Rev- and Rex-responsive elements, or RRE and RXRE, respectively. We show that the Rex proteins of HTLV-I and BLV are interchangeable, but only the Rex protein of HTLV-I can substitute for Rev of HIV-1. Rex of HTLV-I and Rev of HIV-1 appear to act on RRE by similar mechanisms. Rev of HIV-1 does not act on the RXRE of HTLV-I or BLV. The nonreciprocal action of Rev and Rex suggests that these factors interact directly with the cis-acting RNA elements of the two viruses.

• Authors: B K Felber, D Derse, A Athanassopoulos, M Campbell, G N Pavlakis
• Journal: The New biologist (New Biol) Vol. 1 Issue 3 Pg. 318-28 (Dec 1989) ISSN: 1043-4674 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2562124 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Gene Products, rev
• Gene Products, rex
• RNA, Messenger
• RNA, Viral
• rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Topics

• Animals
• Cattle
• Gene Products, rev (genetics)
• Gene Products, rex (genetics)
• Genetic Complementation Test
• HIV-1 (genetics)
• Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (genetics)
• Humans
• Leukemia Virus, Bovine (genetics)
• Mutation
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• RNA, Viral (genetics)
• rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus