Functional role of the HIV-1 Rev exon 1 encoded region in complex formation and trans-dominant inhibition

To study functional aspects of the exon 1 encoded region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev protein, the viral Tev protein which exhibits low Rev activity but lacks the rev exon 1 encoded region was examined. Neither Rev-Tev heteromer complex formation nor inhibition of Rev by an export deficient Tev mutant was observed. Insertion of the rev exon 1 encoded region into the Tev mutant allowed it to oligomerize with Rev and act as a trans-dominant negative mutant. This showed that the exon 1 encoded region of Rev is essential for oligomerization and that oligomerization is a prerequisite for trans-dominant inhibition.