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Published on: September 15, 2010
Ion Channel Activity of Vpu Proteins Is Conserved throughout Evolution of HIV-1 and SIV
Timo Greiner1, Sebastian Bolduan2, Brigitte Hertel3
1Membrane Biophysics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany. timogreiner@googlemail.com.
Abstract:
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vpu is encoded exclusively by HIV-1 and related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The transmembrane domain of the protein has dual functions: it counteracts the human restriction factor tetherin and forms a cation channel. Since these two functions are causally unrelated it remains unclear whether the channel activity has any relevance for viral release and replication. Here we examine structure and function correlates of different Vpu homologs from HIV-1 and SIV to understand if ion channel activity is an evolutionary conserved property of Vpu proteins. An electrophysiological testing of Vpus from different HIV-1 groups (N and P) and SIVs from chimpanzees (SIVcpz), and greater spot-nosed monkeys (SIVgsn) showed that they all generate channel activity in HEK293T cells. This implies a robust and evolutionary conserved channel activity and suggests that cation conductance may also have a conserved functional significance.
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