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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

A Restriction Enzyme Based Cloning Method to Assess the In vitro Replication Capacity of HIV-1 Subtype C Gag-MJ4 Chimeric Viruses
Published on: August 31, 2014
Long-term restriction by APOBEC3F selects human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants with restored Vif function
John S Albin1, Guylaine Haché, Judd F Hultquist
1Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif protein evolves distinct strategies to overcome APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G restriction factors, highlighting their differing impacts on viral replication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif protein counteracts host restriction factors APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G.
- Vif-deficient HIV-1 is restricted by APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G, but resistance can emerge.
- Previous studies showed Vif-deficient viruses resistant to APOBEC3G remained susceptible to APOBEC3F.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of HIV-1 Vif-deficient viruses in the presence of APOBEC3F.
- To determine how these viruses acquire resistance to APOBEC3F.
- To compare the selective pressures exerted by APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G on Vif evolution.
Main Methods:
- Long-term selection experiments with Vif-deficient HIV-1 isolates in APOBEC3F-expressing T-cell lines.
- Isolation and characterization of resistant viral variants.
- Molecular cloning and functional analysis of evolved Vif alleles in a wild-type viral background.
Main Results:
- All selected resistant isolates restored Vif function to overcome APOBEC3F activity.
- Specific Vif mutations (Q26-Q27, Y26-Q27) conferred resistance to APOBEC3F.
- These Vif variants, while effective against APOBEC3F, became susceptible to APOBEC3G restriction, with lysine at position 26 being crucial for APOBEC3G neutralization.
Conclusions:
- APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G impose distinct selective pressures on HIV-1 Vif evolution.
- Vif function is essential for HIV-1 replication in the presence of APOBEC3F.
- The study reveals the complex interplay between HIV-1 Vif and APOBEC restriction factors.
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