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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Identification of Nucleolar Factors During HIV-1 Replication Through Rev Immunoprecipitation and Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 26, 2019
Caveolin 1 inhibits HIV replication by transcriptional repression mediated through NF-κB
Xiao Mei Wang1, Peter E Nadeau, Shanshan Lin
1Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Abstract:
Caveolin 1 (Cav-1), the scaffold protein of a specific membrane lipid raft called caveolae, has been reported to suppress HIV-1 replication. However, the mechanism by which Cav-1 inhibits HIV replication remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which Cav-1 inhibits HIV replication at the level of gene expression. Our results show that Cav-1 represses viral gene expression and that this suppression involves the NF-κB pathway. We used several approaches in different cell types, including primary CD4(+) T cells and macrophages, to demonstrate the role of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in Cav-1-mediated inhibition of viral expression. A mutational analysis of the cis-acting element shows that the two NF-κB sites in the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR) are critical for Cav-1-mediated inhibition of viral expression. In the presence of Cav-1, phosphorylation of IKKβ, IKKα, IκBα, and NF-κB p65 is dramatically reduced, while viral gene expression is suppressed. In addition, translocation of NF-κB p65 to the nucleus decreases substantially in the presence of Cav-1. Furthermore, significant inhibition of NF-κB activation and binding to target DNA are evident in the presence of Cav-1. These results establish evidence that Cav-1 inhibits HIV replication by transcriptional repression of viral gene expression and contributes to HIV's persistent infection of macrophages.
Insights
Caveolin 1 (Cav-1) suppresses HIV-1 replication by inhibiting viral gene expression. This involves repressing the NF-κB pathway, crucial for HIV persistence in macrophages.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Caveolin 1 (Cav-1) is a protein associated with caveolae, which are membrane lipid rafts.
- Previous studies suggest Cav-1 can suppress Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication.
- The precise mechanism of Cav-1's inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism by which Cav-1 inhibits HIV-1 replication.
- To investigate the role of Cav-1 in regulating HIV-1 gene expression.
- To determine the involvement of the NF-κB pathway in Cav-1-mediated suppression of HIV-1.
Main Methods:
- Utilized various cell types, including primary CD4(+) T cells and macrophages.
- Performed mutational analysis of cis-acting elements in the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR).
- Assessed protein phosphorylation (IKKβ, IKKα, IκBα, NF-κB p65), NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation, and DNA binding activity.
Main Results:
- Cav-1 significantly represses HIV-1 gene expression.
- The inhibitory effect of Cav-1 is dependent on the NF-κB pathway.
- Cav-1 reduces phosphorylation of key NF-κB signaling components and decreases NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and DNA binding.
- Mutational analysis identified two NF-κB sites in the LTR U3 region as critical for Cav-1 inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Cav-1 inhibits HIV-1 replication through transcriptional repression of viral gene expression.
- The NF-κB signaling pathway is a key mediator of Cav-1's antiviral activity.
- Cav-1 contributes to the persistent infection of macrophages by HIV-1.
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